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Sting’s Keyboardist, Kipper, Relies On Quik-Lok Keyboard Stands
Press Release
2003-07-04

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Quik-Lok, the world’s largest manufacturer of musical instrument stands, exclusively distributed by Music Industries Corp., is proud to announce Sting’s keyboardist and producer, Kipper (Mark Eldridge), recently took delivery of a Quik-Lok WS-550 keyboard stand to support his 88-note MIDI Controller. The WS-550 stand was used in the filming of live performance segments for the new Sting DVD that will be released along with Sting’s forthcoming CD, 'Sacred Love.' The DVD was filmed on two locations, including Sting’s very own Malibu beach house and the historic Mayan Theater in Los Angeles.

Kipper’s keyboard tech, Hopps, sought out the Quik-Lok WS-550 because of its small footprint and sturdy construction, as well as his long track record of positive experience and product reliability. Keyboardist Jeff Young (now on a summer 2003 tour with Jackson Browne), relied on Quik-Lok’s Z-726L, extended width, two-tier, height adjustable Z Series keyboard stand for the Brand New Day tour. Hopps states, “We had limited space to work with for the shoot at Sting’s house, so it was important that Kipper’s keyboard stand be small enough for the area, but strong enough to support anything we put on top of it. The Quik-Lok WS-550’s height-adjustable, swing-out legs made it very easy to set the keyboard stand just where we needed it amongst the rest of the gear, and there was no question that its construction could handle a significant amount of weight.”

After a whirlwind shoot at Sting’s house, Hopps and the crew struck the set and moved to their second location – The Mayan Theater, a historic live music venue in Downtown Los Angeles’ theater district. Hopps mentions, “The WS-550 proved to be a very portable piece of equipment. It is extremely easy to break down into a ‘T’ shape for transport, and it only weighs 18 lbs, which any tech can appreciate. Those who have witnessed the magnitude of Kipper’s full keyboard rig – which includes several keyboards, two fully-loaded rack cases, an Apple G4 with a 17” Studio Display, monitor wedges, and a 16-channel mixing console – can instantly understand why I value space and weight saving stands!”

Once set-up in The Mayan, the film crew shot concert footage of Sting and his band on-stage. Again, the WS-550 supported Kipper’s Midi Controller, which acts as the nerve center of Kipper’s keyboard set-up. Hopps concludes, “The Quik-Lok WS-550 looked great on-stage at Sting’s house, as well as at the Mayan. Quik-Lok provides me with piece-of-mind for every event and tour.”

Be sure to look for Sting’s new CD, ‘Sacred Love’, scheduled for US release in September 2003. Stay tuned for upcoming news about Sting’s the much-anticipated DVD release at www.sting.com!