#26: The Police

The Police formed at the height of Punk and outlasted it. Some consider them the first New Wave Act since they were neither classic rock nor punk. They incorporated jazz, punk rock, and reggae into their work. In fact, they were one of the first acts to incorporate reggae into their music.

In 1977, The Police began their slow climb to greatest band in the world. Drummer Stewart Copeland formed the band with Sting and Henry Padovani. Padovani was a weak guitarist and was later replaced by Andy Summers. Their fusion of rock, jazz, and especially reggae into their act was novel especially in the United States. They soon earned a recording contract.

Their first album contained the hit “Roxanne” which was completely unique. It did not sound like rock or punk or disco. The song provided an introduction into the U.S. and Australia and got them a gig at the CBGB punk club. Their second album made them stars in England and included “Message in a Bottle.” They toured the world and released a third album that included “Don’t Stand So Close To Me.” The band was now a worldwide sensation.

While the band thrived, front man Sting became a star. He appeared in movies such as Quadraphenia and later Dune. This led to a conflict of egos with Stewart Copeland. The tension continued throughout the early 80s and served to destroy the band as they conquered the world. By 1983, they were the biggest band in the world. Their album Synchronicity spawned several smash hits including one of the decade’s most iconic songs, “Every Breath You Take.” In fact, that song beat out “Billie Jean” for song of the year at the Grammy Awards.

There was no official split. Sting did a solo album and Copeland did some work on his own. Summers waited for the band to reunite. With the exception of three concerts for Amnesty International in 1986 and a completely reworked re-release of “Don’t Stand So Close To Me,” the band would not play again until the 2007-08 reunion tour. Between 1986 and 2007, Sting got married and bragged about 6 hour tantric sex, Copeland made a documentary on the Police (very good), Summers worked as Dennis Miller’s musical director, and the group was inducted into the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame.

Rock n Roll Moment: In one South American banana republic, Andy Summers kicked a military policeman that was attacking fans. He was threatened with arrest, but managed to get out of the country.

Essential Police:

Outlandos d’Amour (1978)
Reggata de Blanc (1979)
Zenyatta Mondatta (1980)
Ghost in the Machine (1981)
Synchronicity (1983)

The Police Top 10:

Every Breath You Take
Roxanne
Can’t Stand Losing You
Message in a Bottle
So Lonely
Don’t Stand So Close To Me
King of Pain
Wrapped Around Your Finger
Synchronicity II
Spirits in the Material World