This Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Just Called David Bowie “Overrated”

An Uncommon Criticism

It is rare to hear harsh criticism aimed at David Bowie. The singer, who died in 2016, is widely seen as one of rock music’s most important figures. Across glam rock, early punk influences, electronic experiments, and mainstream pop, Bowie released albums that are still praised today.

From Ziggy Stardust to Heroes to Let’s Dance, Bowie built a catalog that shaped multiple generations. His ability to change style while staying relevant helped cement his reputation as an artist who always stayed ahead of trends.

A Blunt Opinion

That reputation, however, does not impress Stewart Copeland of The Police. In a recent interview with The Guardian, Copeland was asked who he thought had made the most overrated album. His answer was short and direct: “Anything by David Bowie.”

“I recognize the great mark that Bowie left on the world,” explained Copeland, 73. “He was innovative in 10 different ways, an inspiration for a generation. His credentials as one of the most important artists of our time cannot be questioned. However, it didn’t work for me. I never wanted to look like that, I never wanted to sound like that, I didn’t get it. I was into Jimi Hendrix.”

The Rise of The Police

Before fame with The Police, Copeland played drums for the progressive rock band Curved Air in the early 1970s. In 1977, he joined Sting and guitarist Henry Padovani to form The Police. Andy Summers later replaced Padovani, helping define the band’s sound.

Their debut album, Outlandos d’Amour, was released in 1978 and found success in both the U.K. and the U.S. The Police became the first British new wave band to break through in America, opening doors for similar acts.

Chart Success and Hiatus

The band followed with four more albums that reached No. 1 in the U.K. Their final studio release, Synchronicity, topped charts on both sides of the Atlantic. Songs like “Message in a Bottle,” “Walking on the Moon,” and “Every Breath You Take” defined early 1980s radio.

In 1984, The Police went on hiatus so Sting could focus on a solo career. A reunion attempt in 1986 failed, though the band reunited successfully for a 30th anniversary tour in 2007. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2003.

Life After the Band

After The Police, Copeland focused on composing. He scored films like Wall Street, television shows such as Dead Like Me, and video games including Spyro the Dragon. In 2025, he released Wild Concerto, blending nature sounds with traditional music.

“Someone always asks me about Spyro,” he told The Guardian. “It’s a hugely successful game; they re-did it 20 years after they released it, and it was a hit all over again.”

Praise for an Underrated Peer

Copeland also used the interview to highlight a drummer he feels deserves more credit. He named Bad Company’s Simon Kirke as overlooked.

“He is a great example of the fact that great drummers are born, not made. He didn’t have flash metronics, but he had a groove that you just couldn’t argue with,” he said.