The Police
If there's one thing the Brits know how to do right, it's rock music. Just as punk was taking off in the late 70s, three guys from London formed The Police. Unlike most rock or punk bands, The Police crafted a sound that was different from the clamor of punk, the danceable tunes of disco, or the synthesized sounds of electronica. They fused reggae, rock, and punk to create distinct beats, tones, and songs that so many bands after them have tried to copy and failed.
Fight Nights
As brilliant as the Police's music was, the band's members weren't able to find same balance. Stuart Copeland founded the group in 1977 and soon recruited singer and bassist Sting and guitarist Andy Summers. A recording deal with A&M Records was signed a year later as the band slowly began to gain popularity with the release of ''Reggatta de Blanc''. The Police soon headed out on a world tour and fame quickly set in. After eight years together, tension between Sting and the other members reached the boiling point. After The Police released four albums, they called it quits. Sting, Stuart, and Andy reunited in 2007 for "The Police Reunion Tour" which coincided with the 30th anniversary of the band's first single. The tour was a success, but in true Police fashion, Sting announced that it would be their final outing.
Over the Years
Although The Police had a shorter career than most bands, they released five albums that catapulted them to the rank of rock royalty.
* '''''Outlandos d'Amour''''': This is the Police's debut album released in 1978. The album tanked at first, but was later re-released once the band had a record deal. Three of the Police's biggest hits are found on Outlandos d'Amour: "Roxanne", "Can't Stand Losing You", and "So Lonely."
* '''''Reggatta de Blanc''''': The Police couldn't re-create the magic of ''Outlandos d'Amour'', but it doesn't mean Reggatta wasn't a good album. It featured the singles "Message in a Bottle" which landed at #74 on Billboard's Pop Singles and "Walking on the Moon."
* '''''Zenyatta Mondatta''''': It may have been recorded in four weeks, but ''Zenyatta Mondatta'' charted at #5 in the US, featured "De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da" and the ever scandalous "Don't Stand So Close to Me." These songs, specifically "Don't Stand So Close..." have been featured on ''The Simpsons'' and ''Glee''.
* '''''Ghost in the Machine''''': For this album, the Police were inspired by the novel of the same name. Saxophones and keyboards dominate songs such as "Spirits in the Material World" while the reggae-inspired "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic" takes you to a tropical place and makes you want to dance.
* '''''Synchronicity''''': By far the most popular Police album featured the most popular Police song, "Every Breath You Take." ''Synchronicity'' was so well received by fans that it ended Michael Jackson's run atop the Billboard charts with ''Thriller''. For the first time, reggae could barely be heard throughout the album; instead, synthesizers and a heavy influence of world music were prominent.
Top Sellers
Related Guides
*
Sex Pistols
*
The Clash
*
The Smiths
*
Rolling Stones
*
U2
