THE POLICE
"Three musicians who changed what rock could sound like."
THE STORY
The Police formed in London in 1977, bringing together three musicians from very different backgrounds: Sting (bass/vocals), Andy Summers (guitar), and Stewart Copeland (drums). Their fusion of punk energy, reggae rhythms, and jazz sophistication created a sound unlike anything else on radio.
Their 1983 album 'Synchronicity' was a commercial and critical triumph, producing 'Every Breath You Take' — the best-selling single of 1983 and one of the most-played songs in radio history. Sting has said the song is about obsession and surveillance, not romance — but it became the most popular wedding song of the decade.
The Police broke up at the height of their fame in 1986, with tensions between Sting and Copeland reportedly making recording impossible. Their 2007 reunion tour grossed over $360 million — one of the highest-grossing tours in history.
ESSENTIAL TRACKS
Every Breath You Take
Synchronicity
Roxanne
Outlandos d'Amour
Message in a Bottle
Reggatta de Blanc
Don't Stand So Close to Me
Zenyatta Mondatta
Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic
Ghost in the Machine
Wrapped Around Your Finger
Synchronicity
'Every Breath You Take' is one of the most misunderstood songs in history — Sting wrote it as a dark surveillance song, but it became the most popular wedding song of the 80s.
FAST FACTS
'Every Breath You Take'
Best-selling single of 1983 — Sting wrote it in 45 minutes
Reunion tour
2007–2008 tour grossed over $360 million
Sting's real name
Gordon Matthew Thomas Sumner — nicknamed Sting for a yellow-and-black striped sweater
Records sold
Over 75 million worldwide
Rock Hall
Inducted in 2003