Billboard is reporting that trailblazing promoter Ian Copeland has passed away at the age of 57. Copeland, the older brother of Police drummer Stewart Copeland, founding Frontier Booking International, He was instrumental in developing a U.S. club circuit for rock acts and new wave acts like the B-52s and the Police.

Later, F.B.I. became one of the most successful booking agencies in the United States and worked with R.E.M., the Bangles, the Go-Gos, the Smiths, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, the Dead Kennedys and the Cure.

His former partner, Buck Williams had this to say:

His contribution was to the development of modern music, He was the driving force behind the 'new wave' movement. He was the 'go to' man for young, first release, new wave bands in Europe, developing a circuit in which most young European acts could come over, work and go home not in debt

Our deepest condolences to his friends and family.