The Police
English rock band that led the Second British Invasion.
Their core line-up comprised Sting (lead vocals, bass, primary songwriter), Andy Summers (guitar) and Stewart Copeland (drums, percussion). The band emerged in the British punk scene but soon expanded into new wave, reggae rock, and post-punk, becoming globally popular from the late 1970s to the mid-1980s. They are considered one of the leaders of the Second British Invasion of the US and were described by Rolling Stone in 1983 as 'the first British new wave act to break through in America on a grand scale, and possibly the biggest band in the world.'
- origin
- London, England
- genre
- Rock, new wave, reggae rock, post-punk
- key_members
- Sting, Andy Summers, Stewart Copeland
- record_sales
- Over 75 million records
- awards
- Six Grammy Awards, two Brit Awards, one MTV Video Music Award, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction in 2003
Lore & Background
The band's bleached-blond hair became a trademark after they dyed their hair for a Wrigley's chewing gum commercial in February 1978, though the ad was never aired. The Police's debut album Outlandos d'Amour (1978) reached number six on the UK Albums Chart and included the singles 'Roxanne' and 'Can't Stand Losing You'. Their second album Reggatta de Blanc (1979) was the first of four consecutive number-one studio albums in the UK and Australia, with 'Message in a Bottle' and 'Walking on the Moon' becoming their first UK number-one singles. Subsequent albums Zenyatta Mondatta (1980) and Ghost in the Machine (1981) also produced UK number-one singles. The band's final studio album Synchronicity (1983) was number one in multiple countries, and its lead single 'Every Breath You Take' became their only US number one. The Police disbanded in 1984 at the height of their fame.
Reader's Guide
The Police are significant for bridging the energy of punk with reggae, new wave, and post-punk, achieving massive commercial success and critical acclaim. Their four consecutive number-one studio albums in the UK and Australia, along with five UK number-one singles, established them as one of the defining acts of the late 1970s and early 1980s. Their 1983 album Synchronicity sold over eight million copies in the US alone, and the band was hailed by Rolling Stone as the first British new wave act to break through in America on a grand scale. With over 75 million records sold, they remain one of the best-selling bands in history.
Did You Know?
- The band's bleached-blond hair originated from a 1978 Wrigley's chewing gum commercial that was never aired.
- The Police's only US number-one single was 'Every Breath You Take' from their final album Synchronicity (1983).
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