Miles Copeland: Rock manager, record executive & music industry visionary

Reflecting on a 50-year music career working with Sting, The Bangles, The Go-Go's and so many more

This week is our ‘Special Guest’ episode, where host Chris Wright brings you intimate one-to-one interviews with key people in media, business, politics, and beyond. In this episode, Chris is joined by legendary music manager and producer, Miles Copeland.

An icon in the music business, Miles is known primarily for managing The Police, Sting, Jools Holland, Squeeze and The Bangles. He also founded I.R.S. Records, where he launched the careers of The Go-Go’s, R.E.M, Fine Young Cannibals and Timbuk 3.

This year, Miles published his memoir ‘Two Steps Forward, One Step Back: My Life in the Music Business,’ in which he documents his experience of 50 years in the business.

Beginning with tales of his early childhood, Miles shares his experience of travelling the Middle East as the son of a spy for the C.I.A. Recollecting his unconventional upbringing, he describes a time when the president of Egypt would visit his family home, and “picnics and parties” would be arranged with the infamous Soviet agent, Kim Philby.

The conversation moves on to Miles’ drive to become involved in the music industry, where he took on various roles as a manager, promoter, and record label owner. He details how he ‘learned the ropes’ with British rock band Wishbone Ash, before guiding the careers of Sting, Andy Summers, and his own brother, Stewart Copeland, of The Police.

Together, Chris and Miles discuss the trials and tribulations of running I.R.S. Records. Miles also details how he bounced back from near bankruptcy and has gone on to found a travelling dance troupe, ‘Bellydance Superstars.’

Created & produced by Podcast Partners: www.podcastpartners.com