Legendary Bands - The Police Posters

The Police were arguably one of the most important bands spawned in the late '70s. Their soulful tunes with reggae undertones were original and unforgettable, and their albums have aged extremely well--their first records sound as groundbreaking today as they did when they were released.

The Police--vocalist/bassist Sting (nee Gordon Sumner), drummer Stewart Copeland and guitarist Andy Summers--got together in 1977. The three dyed their hair bright blond for a spot on a Wrigley's Chewing Gum ad before they got their record deal with A&M and kept it that way for the duration of the band. The Police released their first album, Outlandos D'Amour, in 1978. The first single, "Roxanne," was at first a flop and Outlandos D'Amour's sales were mediocre at best.

But then the Police finally hit it big with the 1979 release of Regatta De Blanc, propelled by such singles as "Message In A Bottle" and "Walking On The Moon." All the while being managed by Copeland's brother Miles and booked by his other brother Ian, the Police toured constantly. They released Zenyatta Mondatta in 1980, then recorded Ghost In The Machine at Beatles producer George Martin's studio in Montserrat in 1981. This album featured more politically-aware songs such as "Invisible Sun" and "One World (Not Three)." This record went number two in the U.S. and number one in the U.K., finally establishing the Police as a major force in music.

In 1983, they released Synchronicity, which, propelled by "Every Breath You Take," rose to the number one U.S. chart position. But there were problems within the band already. Even as they embarked on their most successful tour ever, with consistently sold-out shows and a big performance at New York's Shea Stadium, the band members weren't getting along. When the tour ended in 1984, they quickly dispersed and concentrated on solo projects, the most successful being Sting's platinum-selling album The Dream Of The Blue Turtles. In mid-1986, the band got together for one last show (a benefit for Amnesty International) and to record a new song for their greatest-hits compilation, Every Breath You Take: The Singles.

In March 2003, the Police reunited to celebrate their induction into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame.