Questions
When did The Police form and who were the members?
The Police formed in London in 1977 and featured Sting on lead vocals and bass, Andy Summers on guitar, and Stewart Copeland on drums.
How did the band get started?
Drummer Stewart Copeland met Sting on September 25, 1976, in Newcastle through music journalist Phil Sutcliffe, and after Sting moved to London that December the two began jamming together.
Was Andy Summers the original guitarist?
No. Guitarist Henry Padovani joined first, but Andy Summers replaced him after impressing the band with his stronger musicianship.
Why did the members have their trademark bleached-blond hair?
Reportedly, in February 1978 the cash-strapped band dyed their hair blond for a Wrigley’s Spearmint gum commercial directed by Tony Scott, and although the ad never aired, the blond look stuck as their trademark.
Why was ’Roxanne’ controversial?
’Roxanne’ (1978) was reportedly kept off some BBC playlists because it depicted prostitution, but it went on to become the band’s signature song.
What was their first UK number one single?
’Message in a Bottle’ from 1979 was the band’s first UK number one single.
What is the band’s biggest song in the United States?
’Every Breath You Take’ (1983) was their only US number one and won the Grammy for Song of the Year.
How many studio albums did The Police release?
They released five studio albums, four of which reached number one in the UK, ending with Synchronicity in 1983, which sold 8 million copies in the US alone.
Why did the band break up?
After the Synchronicity tour ended on March 4, 1984, tensions grew and Sting pursued solo work, and by June 1986 during three Amnesty International benefit concerts it became clear the band was finished.
Is it true a horse ended their reunion attempt?
Reportedly a July 1986 studio reunion attempt fell apart after Stewart Copeland broke his collarbone falling from a horse.
How did Copeland describe working with Sting?
Copeland reportedly described the experience as feeling like ’a Prada suit made out of barbed wire.’
Did The Police ever reunite for a tour?
Yes. After about 20 years apart, the trio reunited for a world tour starting in May 2007, and the 2007 to 2008 run was the highest-grossing tour of 2007, generating $358 million across 3.7 million tickets sold.
How many awards has the band won?
The Police won 6 Grammy Awards and 2 Brit Awards, and they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2003, their first year of eligibility.
How many records have they sold?
The band has sold more than 75 million records worldwide.
Just how popular is ’Every Breath You Take’?
’Every Breath You Take’ became BMI’s most-performed song in 2019, surpassing ’You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’.’
