Sterling Campbell

Sterling Campbell
Campbell supporting the B-52s during a 2009 tour
Background information
Born	(1964-05-03) May 3, 1964 (age 52) New York City United States
Genres	Rock, alternative rock, funk
Occupation(s)	Musician, songwriter
Instruments	Drums, percussion
Years active	1986–present
Associated acts	Duran Duran, Soul Asylum, David Bowie, B-52s, Rufus Wainwright, Cyndi Lauper
Website	www.sterlingcampbellmusic.com
Notable instruments
GMS Drums Zildjian cymbals and sticks

Sterling Campbell (born May 3, 1964), is an American rock drummer who has worked with numerous high-profile acts, including The B-52s, Duran Duran, Soul Asylum, Cyndi Lauper, Gustavo Cerati and David Bowie.

Campbell was born and raised in New York City, in an African American family with five older brothers, all of whom enjoyed music from funk and Motown, to rock and beyond, where he began learning to play the drums at age eleven. When he was fourteen years old, then-drummer in David Bowie's backing band, Dennis Davis, moved into the apartment building where Campbell's family resided. Davis invited him to come with him to see a Bowie concert, galvanizing the student to apply himself further on the drum kit. He attended high school at The High School of Music & Art (a part of the Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts) from which he graduated. Campbell practiced, and composed his own songs, finding work as a session musician.

Campbell rose to international attention in 1986, touring with Cyndi Lauper on her True Colors World Tour. For the next ten years, he played with several notable bands which drew from different genres. In 1987, Campbell joined Duran Duran, and later was hired first as a session player in 1991 by Soul Asylum, playing on half of the tracks on their 1992 release, Grave Dancer's Union including their Grammy Award-winning single, "Runaway Train". Campbell soon replaced Soul Asylum's drummer Grant Young, and played with them from 1995 to 1998.