Definition: Miles Copeland III is an American music executive, artist manager, and record label founder, best known for his role in the development and promotion of new wave and post-punk music during the late 20th century.
Overview: Miles Copeland III played a significant role in the music industry, particularly during the 1970s and 1980s. He was the manager of the British rock band The Police and the founder of the record label I.R.S. Records, which was instrumental in bringing alternative and new wave acts to mainstream audiences in the United States. Artists signed to I.R.S. Records included R.E.M., The Go-Go's, Violent Femmes, and Wall of Voodoo. His work helped shape the American alternative music scene during a formative period.
Etymology/Origin: The name "Miles Copeland III" follows a traditional Western naming convention indicating that he is the third person in his direct lineage to bear the name Miles Copeland. He was born on December 21, 1944, in Alexandria, Egypt. His father, Miles Copeland Jr., was a Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) officer, and his younger brother, Stewart Copeland, was the drummer for The Police.
Characteristics: Copeland is recognized for his entrepreneurial approach to artist management and record production. Rather than adhering strictly to mainstream industry practices of the time, he focused on cultivating niche markets and developing international distribution networks, especially for British acts seeking exposure in the U.S. He emphasized strategic marketing, tour promotion, and media exposure to build artists' profiles gradually. After I.R.S. Records ceased operations in the early 1990s, Copeland remained active in the music industry through production, consulting, and film.
Related Topics:
- The Police (band)
- I.R.S. Records
- Stewart Copeland
- New wave music
- Post-punk
- R.E.M.
- Music management
- Alternative rock history