The Police
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/* Live albums */
{{otheruses4|the [[Rock music|rock]] band|law enforcement agencies|police}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| Name = The Police
| Img = ThePolice_2007.jpg
| Img_capt = The Police performing live on [[1 August]], [[2007]] at [[Madison Square Garden]], [[New York City|New York]].
| Img_size = 250
| Landscape = Yes
| Background = group_or_band
| Origin = [[London]], [[England]]
| Genre = [[Rock music|Rock]], [[New Wave music|New Wave]], [[reggae]], [[post-punk]]
| Years_active = 1977–1984, 1986, 2003, 2007–2008
| Label = [[A&M Records|A&M]]/[[Polydor Records|Polydor]]<br />[[Universal Music Group]]
| Associated_acts = [[Oysterhead]], ''Gizmo''
| Current_members = [[Sting (musician)|Sting]]<br />[[Andy Summers]]<br />[[Stewart Copeland]]
| Past_members = [[Henry Padovani]]
| URL = [http://www.thepolice.com www.thepolice.com]
}}
'''The Police''' are a [[Power trio|three-piece]] [[Rock music|rock]] band consisting of [[Sting (musician)|Sting]] ([[lead singer|vocals]], [[bass guitar]]), [[Andy Summers]] ([[guitar]], [[backing vocals|vocals]]) and [[Stewart Copeland]] ([[drumkit|drums]], [[percussion]], [[backing vocals|vocals]]). The band became globally popular in the early 1980s, playing a style of rock that was influenced by [[jazz]], [[rock music|rock]] and [[reggae]] music. Their 1983 album, ''[[Synchronicity (album)|Synchronicity]]'', was number one in the UK and the US and sold over 8,000,000 copies in the US. The band broke up in 1984, but reunited in early 2007 with the announcement that they were undertaking a [[The Police Reunion Tour|world tour]]. The tour was scheduled from the middle of that year on until mid-2008, in celebration of the 30th anniversary of their hit single "[[Roxanne (song)|Roxanne]]" and also, to a lesser extent, that of their formation as a group. To date The Police have sold more than 50 million albums worldwide. ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' ranked The Police number 70 on their list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6511673.stm BBC NEWS | Entertainment | Police fan bands go on patrol<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
== Career ==
=== Formation ===
The Police were founded by [[United States|American]]-born drummer [[Stewart Copeland]] in early 1977. After the demise of his [[progressive rock]] band [[Curved Air]], Copeland was anxious to form a new three-piece group and join the burgeoning London punk scene. Singer-bassist [[Sting (musician)|Sting]] and guitarist [[Henry Padovani]] began rehearsing with Copeland in January 1977, and they recorded their first Police single, "Fall Out"/"Nothing Achieving," the following month. Acting Manager Paul Mulligan paid for the recording of the single. In March and April, the threesome toured as a support act for [[Cherry Vanilla]] as well as [[Wayne County & the Electric Chairs]].
In May, ex-[[Gong (band)|Gong]] musician [[Mike Howlett]] invited Sting and former [[Eric Burdon and the Animals]] guitarist [[Andy Summers]] to form [[Strontium 90 (band)|Strontium 90]] with him, as a project band for a Gong reunion. The drummer Howlett had in mind for this band, [[Chris Cutler]], was unavailable to play, so Sting brought along Stewart Copeland. Strontium 90 recorded several demo tracks at Virtual Earth Studios, and then performed at a Gong reunion concert in Paris on [[May 28]], [[1977]]. An album with some of these studio and live tracks (with the first recorded version of "[[Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic]]") was released twenty years later in 1997 under the name ''[[Strontium 90: Police Academy]]''. The foursome also performed at a London club as "The Elevators" in July 1977.
In July 1977, Copeland, Sting, Padovani, and Summers began performing as a four-piece version of the Police. Padovani's relatively limited ability as a guitarist meant that his tenure with the band was short. Soon after an aborted recording session with producer [[John Cale]] on [[August 10]], Padovani left the band and Summers took over sole guitar duties. This lineup of Copeland, Sting, and Summers would endure for the rest of Police history.
Sting proved to be a capable songwriter. He had previously spent time as a [[secondary school]] English teacher, and his lyrics are noted for their literary awareness and verbal agility. Material in the later album ''[[Ghost in the Machine (album)|Ghost in the Machine]]'' was inspired by the writings of [[Arthur Koestler]], and material in ''[[Synchronicity (album)|Synchronicity]]'' was prominently inspired by the writings of [[Carl Jung]]. "[[Tea in the Sahara]]" on the latter album showed interest in the work of author [[Paul Bowles]] as well.
The Police, along with [[The Clash]], are notable as one of the first mainstream white [[band (music)|bands]] to adopt [[reggae]] as a predominant musical form, and to score major international hits with reggae-styled material. Although [[ska]] and reggae were already very popular in the [[United Kingdom]], the style was little known in the United States or other countries. Prior to the emergence of the Police, only a handful of reggae songs — such as [[Eric Clapton]]'s 1974 cover rendition of [[Bob Marley]]'s "[[I Shot the Sheriff]]" or [[Paul Simon]]'s "[[Mother and Child Reunion]]" — had enjoyed any significant chart success.
The bleached blonde hair that would become a trademark of the band was a lucky accident, originating in February 1978. The band, desperate for money, was asked to do a commercial for [[Wrigley's Spearmint]] [[chewing gum]] on the condition that they dye their hair blonde.
=== Recording contract ===
For the Police, their first album, ''[[Outlandos d'Amour]]'' was a hardship, working on a small budget, with no manager or record deal. Stewart Copeland's older brother [[Miles Copeland III]] heard "[[Roxanne (song)|Roxanne]]" for the first time and immediately got them a record deal with [[A&M Records]]. Originally released in 1978, the single was re-released in 1979, and it was then that the Police gained widespread recognition in the United Kingdom, as well as scoring a minor hit with the song in several other countries, notably Australia. Their success led to a gig at the famous [[New York]] club [[CBGB]] and a gruelling United States tour in which the band drove themselves and all their equipment around the country in a [[Ford Econoline]] van.
In October 1979, the group released their second album ''[[Reggatta de Blanc]]'', which was a major seller in many countries and which spawned the U.K. singles "[[Message in a Bottle (song)|Message In A Bottle]]," their first #1, and "[[Walking on the Moon]]," also a chart topper. The instrumental title track would win the Grammy for Best Rock Instrumental Performance.
In March 1980, the Police did their first world tour, and they were one of the first major rock bands to play in places like Mexico City, Mexico, [[Mumbai|Bombay]], [[India]] and Egypt. The Mexico City show was filmed by Canal 13. In May A&M in Great Britain released "[[Six Pack (The Police)]]," an expensive package containing the 5 previous A&M singles (not including "Fall Out") in their original sleeves plus a mono alternate take of the popular album track (from ''Regatta De Blanc'') "[[The Bed's Too Big Without You]]" backed with a live version of the ''Outlandos d'Amour'' track "Truth Hits Everybody." It reached #17 in the U.K. singles chart although chart regulations introduced later in the decade would have classed it as an album.
Pressured by their record company for a new record and a prompt return to touring, the Police released their third album, ''[[Zenyatta Mondatta]]'', in the autumn of 1980. The album gave the group their third U.K. #1 hit, "[[Don't Stand So Close to Me]]", and "[[De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da]]", which charted in the United States. In subsequent interviews Sting stated that he regretted the rushed recording for the album. However, many critics would later cite it as one of their strongest efforts. The instrumental "Behind My Camel," written by Andy Summers won the band a [[Grammy]] for Best Rock Instrumental Performance. The song "Don't Stand So Close to Me" won the Grammy for Best Rock Vocal Performance For Duo Or Group.
=== Stardom ===
By this time Sting was becoming a major star, and he established a career beyond the Police by branching out into acting. He made a well-received debut as the 'Ace Face' in ''[[Quadrophenia (film)|Quadrophenia]]'' the film version of [[The Who]]'s [[rock opera]], followed by a role as a mechanic in love with [[Eddie Cochran]]'s music in [[Chris Petit]]'s ''[[Radio On]]''. He also played the character [[Feyd Rautha]]' in ''[[Dune (film)|Dune]]'' and a soldier who is executed for being too brave in ''[[The Adventures of Baron Munchausen]]''.
As Sting's fame rose, his relationship with band founder Stewart Copeland began to deteriorate. The increasingly strained partnership was further stretched by the pressures of worldwide [[publicity]] and fame, conflicting [[ego]]s, and their financial success. Meanwhile, both Sting and Summers' marriages failed (Sting settled down with new partner Trudie Styler, whom he later married, while Summers, after a brief relationship that fathered a son Andrew Jr., re-married his second wife Kate).
The Police's fourth album, ''[[Ghost in the Machine (album)|Ghost in the Machine]]'', co-produced by [[Hugh Padgham]], was released in 1981. It featured thicker sounds, layered [[saxophone]]s, and vocal textures. It spawned the hit singles, "[[Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic]]", "[[Invisible Sun]]", and "[[Spirits in the Material World]]". As the band were unable to agree on a cover picture, the album cover had three red pictographs, "digital" likenesses of the three band members in the style of segmented LED displays, set against a black background. In the 1980s, Sting and Andy Summers became tax exiles and moved to Ireland (Sting to Roundstone in Galway, and Andy to Kinsale in County Cork) while Stewart, an American, remained in England.
The Police took a sabbatical in 1982, with Sting pursuing his acting career, co-starring with [[Denholm Elliot]] and [[Joan Plowright]] in the [[Richard Loncraine]] film version of [[Dennis Potter]]'s play ''[[Brimstone and Treacle]]''. He also had a minor solo hit in the United Kingdom with the movie's theme song, "Spread A Little Happiness" (which appeared on the [[Brimstone and Treacle (soundtrack)|Brimstone and Treacle soundtrack]], along with three new Police tracks). Summers recorded his first album with [[Robert Fripp]], ''I Advance Masked''.
The Police released their last album, ''[[Synchronicity (album)|Synchronicity]]'', in 1983. Notable songs from that album include "[[Every Breath You Take]]", "[[Wrapped Around Your Finger]]", "[[King of Pain]]" and the foreboding "[[Synchronicity II]]". Except for "King of Pain", the singles were accompanied by music videos directed by [[Godley & Creme]]. This album hit #1 in both the U.K. (where it debuted at #1) and the U.S. It stayed at #1 in the U.K. for only two weeks and in the U.S. for 17 weeks. It was nominated for the Album of the Year Grammy, but lost to the inevitable winner, [[Michael Jackson]]'s ''[[Thriller (album)|Thriller]]''.
The Police beat out Jackson in one category: "Every Breath You Take" won the Grammy for Song Of The Year, beating Jackson's "[[Billie Jean]]". "Every Breath You Take" also won the Grammy for Best Pop Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal while "Synchronicity II" won the Grammy for Best Rock Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal. "Every Breath You Take" also won the ''American Video Award'' for Best Group video and nabbed two [[Ivor Novello Awards]] for the categories Best Song Musically & Lyrically and Most Performed Work. In 1983, Stewart Copeland composed the musical score for ''[[Rumble Fish]]'' a film directed and produced by [[Francis Ford Coppola]] from the [[S.E. Hinton]] novel. A song released to radio on A& M Records "Don't Box Me In (theme From ''Rumble Fish'')", a collaboration between Copeland and singer/songwriter [[Stan Ridgway]] leader of the band [[Wall of Voodoo]], received significant airplay upon release of the film that year.
=== Break-up ===
Although there was never an official split, each band member pursued his own solo career after the Synchronicity tour ended in March 1984. In June 1986, the trio reconvened to play three concerts for the [[Amnesty International]] ''[[A Conspiracy of Hope Tour]]''. In July of that year, a tense short-lived reunion in the studio produced only subdued re-recordings of "Don't Stand So Close to Me" and "De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da". The former was released in October 1986 as their final single together in the form of "Don't Stand So Close To Me '86" (a substantially reworked version of the 1980 original), appeared on the compilation ''[[Every Breath You Take: The Singles]]'', and made the UK Top 25. By this time, it was clear that Sting had no intention of continuing with the band, having already released a successful solo debut LP in 1985, the [[jazz]]-influenced ''[[The Dream of the Blue Turtles]]''.
In 1992, Sting wed [[Trudie Styler]]. Summers and Copeland were invited to the ceremony and reception. Aware that all band members were present, the wedding guests pressured the trio into playing, and they ultimately performed "Roxanne" and "Message In A Bottle." Copeland said later that "after about three minutes, it became 'the thing' again." Also in 1992, Andy Summers served a brief stint as Musical Director on the short-lived "Dennis Miller Show".
On [[March 10]], [[2003]], the Police were inducted into the [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]] and performed "[[Roxanne (song)|Roxanne]]," "Message In a Bottle," and "Every Breath You Take" live, as a group. The last song was performed alongside [[Steven Tyler]], [[Gwen Stefani]], and [[John Mayer]]. Towards the end of the song, Copeland, known for tightening his drum heads until his knuckles turn white, as well as striking the drums with excessive force, was playing the drums so hard that the head of his snare drum broke. That fall Sting released his autobiography, "Broken Music".
In 2004, [[Henry Padovani]] (the band's guitarist before Andy Summers joined) released an album with the participation of Stewart Copeland and Sting in one track, reuniting the "original" Police members in a performance for the first time since 1977. Also in 2004, [[Rolling Stone Magazine]] ranked The Police #70 on their list of the [http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/5939214/the_immortals_the_first_fifty/ 100 Greatest Artists of All Time].<ref>{{cite web| title = The Immortals: The First Fifty| work = Rolling Stone Issue 946| publisher = Rolling Stone| url =http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/5939214/the_immortals_the_first_fifty}}</ref>
In 2006 [[Stewart Copeland]] made a [[rockumentary]] about the band called ''[[Everyone Stares: The Police Inside Out]]'', based on [[Super-8]] filming he did when the band was touring and recording in the late '70s and the early '80s. In October 2006 Andy Summers released ''One Train Later'', an autobiographical memoir detailing his early career and time with the band.
=== 2007 - 2008 reunion and no more ===
{{main|The Police Reunion Tour}}
In early 2007, reports surfaced that the trio would reunite for a tour to mark their 30th anniversary,<ref>[http://www.stingus.net The Police 2007 reunion]</ref> over 20 years since their 'final' split in summer 1986. The concerts would coincide with Universal Music (current owners of the A&M label) re-releasing some material from the band's back catalogue.<ref>{{cite web| title = Police fans may soon be walking on the moon again| work = The Mail on Sunday, [[December 31]], [[2006]]| url = http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/showbiz/showbiznews.html?in_article_id=425595&in_page_id=1766&ito=1490}}</ref> The following statement was released on behalf of the band by a spokesperson at Interscope Geffen A&M Records and posted on Sting's official website: "As the 30th anniversary of the first Police single approaches, discussions have been underway as to how this will be commemorated. While we can confirm that there will indeed be something special done to mark the occasion, the depth of the band's involvement still remains undetermined."
On [[January 22]], [[2007]], the punk wave magazine [[Side-Line]] broke the story that The Police would reunite for the [[Grammy | Grammys]], adding that the song performed would be "Roxanne". All this information appeared to be correct.<ref>[http://www.side-line.com/news_comments.php?id=P20272_0_2_0 The Police reunion at Grammys]</ref><ref>[http://www.side-line.com/news_comments.php?id=20666_0_2_0_C The Police to play "Roxanne" at Grammys]</ref> [[Side-Line]] also announced in its news coverage that The Police were to embark on a massive tour bringing them to cities all over the world. [[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] magazine later confirmed the rumours, quoting Andy Summers who had discussed earlier in 2006 how the band could have continued post-''Synchronicity'': "The more rational approach would have been, 'OK, Sting, go make a solo record, and let's get back together in two or three years. I'm certain we could have done that. Of course we could have. We were definitely not in a creative dry space. We could have easily carried on, and we could probably still be there. That wasn't to be our fate. It went in another way. I regret we never paid it off with a last tour."<ref>[http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003527290 Police Reunion Rumors Reaching Fever Pitch] - Billboard, [[January 3]], [[2007]]</ref>
The Police opened the 49th Annual [[Grammy]] Awards on [[11 February]], [[2007]] in [[Los Angeles, California]],<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6313865.stm Police to reunite for Grammy gig]</ref> announcing "We're The Police. And we're back!" before launching into "Roxanne." A&M<ref>[http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory?id=2768878 ABC News: ABC News<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Records, the band's record company, is promoting the current 2007–2008 reunion tour as the 30th anniversary of the release of their first single and not indeed that of the band's creation. ABC reported, "This year marks the 30th anniversary of the release of 'Roxanne,' the single that broke the Police in the United States." The single was released in April 1978.
The Police opened their Reunion Tour in [[Vancouver]] on May 28 in front of 22,000 fans at one of two nearly sold-out concerts. However, Stewart Copeland gave a scathing review of the show on his own website,<ref>Stewart Copeland [http://www.stewartcopeland.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2809&start=0 on his own forum]</ref> which the press picked up as a feud occurring two gigs into the tour. It was only meant to be tongue-in-cheek and the band took it as light-hearted as it was intended. In October 2007 the group played the largest gig of the reunion tour so far in Dublin, Ireland, in front of 82,000 fans.
The Police continued their reunion tour in 2008, and locations include [[New Zealand]], [[Australia]], [[Singapore]], [[Macau]], [[Japan]], [[Canada]], [[USA]], [[France]], [[Germany]], [[Norway]], [[Denmark]], [[UK]], [[Serbia]], [[Poland]], [[Argentina]] and [[Brazil]], where they played for 75,000 people.
[[Henry Padovani]] joined the band on stage for the final encore of their show in [[Paris]] on September 29th. The Police as a 4-piece band played "Next to You" from the band's first album Outlandos d'Amour.
The Police have also recently been announced to headline the last night of the 2008 [[Isle of Wight Festival]] on [[15 June]], [[2008]],<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7112791.stm BBC NEWS | Entertainment | Police 'coup' for Wight festival<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> as well as headlining the Sunday night at Hard Rock Calling (previously called [[Hyde Park Calling]]) on the 29th June.<ref>[http://www.hardrockcalling.co.uk/home/ Hard Rock Calling<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>The Police performed on [[June 24]] in Belgrade (Serbia) with [[Counting Crows]] for 52,000 sold tickets.<ref>[http://www.rts.co.yu/jedna_vest.asp?belong=&IDNews=226097 KONCERT GRUPE 'POLIS' NA UŠĆU]</ref>
In February 2008, The Police announced that once they are finished touring they will break up again. According to Sting, "There will be no new album, no big new tour, once we're done with our reunion tour, that's it for the Police".<ref>[http://www.icelebz.com/gossips/2008_02_27/25.html Sting Can't Wait To Be A Solo Singer Again]</ref>
On May 5th, 2008 The Police announced their final show will be played in New York City at Madison Square Gardens on August 7th 2008. The B-52's are opening that show and surprise guests are rumored. <ref>[WHYY TV12 July 11, 2008 -Airing of the Synchronicity tour video]</ref> Proceeds will go toward arts programming for the city's public television stations. The group made the announcement while donating $1 million to New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg's initiative to plant 1 million trees in the city by 2017.<ref>[http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080506/en_nm/sting_dc;_ylt=AsAsASWOOg2vT5LCX8zozeus0NUE The Police to perform final gig in New York - Yahoo! News<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
==Discography==
===Studio albums===
* ''[[Outlandos d'Amour]]'' - November, 1978 - UK #6; US #23 - US sales: Platinum
* ''[[Reggatta de Blanc]]'' - October, 1979 - UK #1; US #25 - US sales: Platinum
* ''[[Zenyattà Mondatta]]'' - October, 1980 - UK #1; US #5 - US sales: 2x Platinum
* ''[[Ghost in the Machine (album)|Ghost in the Machine]]'' - October, 1981 - UK #1; US #2 - US sales: 3x Platinum
* ''[[Synchronicity (album)|Synchronicity]]'' - June, 1983 - UK #1; US #1 - US sales: 8x Platinum
===Live albums===
* ''[[Live! (The Police album)|Live!]]'' - (1995) US sales: Platinum
===Soundtracks and other contributions===
* ''[[The Secret Policeman's Ball]]'' - 1981
* ''[[Urgh! A Music War]]'' - May, 1982
* ''[[Brimstone and Treacle (soundtrack)|Brimstone and Treacle]]'' - [[July 1]], [[1982]]
* ''[[Strontium 90: Police Academy]]'' - [[July 29]], [[1997]]
===Compilation albums===
* ''[[Every Breath You Take: The Singles]]'' - October, 1986 - UK #1; US #7
* ''[[Greatest Hits (Police Album)|Greatest Hits]]'' - September, 1992 - UK #10
* ''[[Message in a Box: The Complete Recordings]]'' - [[September 28]], [[1993]] - US Sales: Platinum
* ''[[Every Breath You Take: The Classics]]'' - [[September 12]], [[1995]] - US sales: 5x Platinum
* ''[[The Very Best of Sting & The Police]]'' - November, 1997
* ''[[The Very Best of Sting & The Police]]'' - [[February 21]], [[2002]]
* ''[[The Police (album)|The Police]]'' - [[June 5]], [[2007]]
There are demo tracks of several Police songs available for listening on Youtube.com. Some were demos of tracks later released on ''Ghost In The Machine''. Among the others were songs that never saw the light of day as far as being released went. These tracks were intended to also be included on "Ghost in the Machine". These demos include...
Secret Journey demo 1,
Secret Journey demo 2,
Hungry For You,
Spirits In The Material World,
Invisible Sun,
Don't You Believe Me,
Don't Think We Can Ever Be Friends,
It's Never Too Late,
Keep Your Day Job,
Don't You Look At Me,
and Truth Hits Everybody '83 (was obviously not meant to be on Ghost. It is slower paced and resembles the later revised version of "Don't Stand So Close To Me.)
===Tribute & covers albums===
* Dance Floor Virus ''The Ballroom'' (Dance Pool, 1995) - dance versions of Police songs, featuring Sting doing re-recorded vocals
* various ''Reggatta Mondatta - A Reggae Tribute To The Police'' (Ark21, 1997)
* various ''Outlandos d'Americas - A Rock En Español Tribute To The Police'' (Ark21, 1998)
* various ''Reggatta Mondatta - A Reggae Tribute To The Police Volume II '' (Ark21, 1998)
* The Secret Police ''Regatta Copycatta'' (Arrested, 1999)
* Invisible Sun ''A Tribute to the Police'' (Big Eye, 2001)
* various ''Many Miles Away'' (Solarmanite, 2001)
* various [?] ''Every Song You Make - A Tribute To Sting & The Police Vol. 1'' (2003)
* various ''Blue Note Plays Sting'' [includes Sting and Police songs](Blue Note, 2005)
* various ''[[¡Policia! - A Tribute To The Police]]'' (The Militia Group, 2005)
* dubXanne feat. Ranking Roger, Benjamin Zephaniah, Big Youth, Earl 16 a.o. - "The Police In Dub" (Echo Beach, 2008)
===Videos===
====VHS====
*''Around The World'' (1982)
*''Synchronicity Concert'' (1984)
*''Every Breath You Take: The Videos'' (1986)
*''Greatest Hits'' (1992)
*''Outlandos to Synchronicities – A history of The Police Live!'' (1995)
*''The Very Best Of Sting & The Police'' (1997)
====DVD====
*''Live Ghost in the Machine'' (2001) (Japan-only release)
*''Live '79 at Hatfield Polytechnic'' (2002) (Japan-only release)
*''Every Breath You Take: The DVD'' (2003) Expanded DVD release of the original 1986 video compilation, adding live material and a [[rockumentary]] about the making of ''Ghost in the Machine''
*''Synchronicity Concert'' (2005) DVD re-release of the 1983 [[Atlanta]] concert (AUS #35)
*''[[Everyone Stares: The Police Inside Out]]'' (2006) – [[rockumentary]] film made by [[Stewart Copeland]]
*''Greatest Video Hits'' (2007) Repackage of 1992 ''Greatest Hits'' video
===Singles===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
! Month of release (UK)
!align="left"|Song
!width="40"|<small>[[UK Singles Chart|UK singles]]<small>
!width="40"|<small>[[Billboard Hot 100|U.S. Hot 100]]<small>
!width="40"|<small>[[Mainstream Rock Tracks|U.S. Main- stream Rock]]<small>
!width="40"|<small>[[Dutch Top 40]]<small>
!align="left"|Album
|-
| May 1977
|align="left"|"[[Fall Out]]"
| —
| —
| —
| —
|align="left"|''—''
|-
| April 1978
|align="left"|"[[Roxanne (song)|Roxanne]]"
| —
| —
| —
| —
|align="left"|''Outlandos d'Amour''
|-
| September 1978
|align="left"|"[[Can't Stand Losing You]]"
| 42
| —
| —
| —
|align="left"|''Outlandos d'Amour''
|-
| November 1978
|align="left"|"[[So Lonely]]"
| —
| —
| —
| —
|align="left"|''Outlandos d'Amour''
|-
| April 1979 (re-r.)
|align="left"|"[[Roxanne (song)|Roxanne]]"
| 12
| 32
| —
| 21
|align="left"|''Outlandos d'Amour''
|-
| June 1979 (re-r.)
|align="left"|"[[Can't Stand Losing You]]"
| 2
| —
| —
| 9
|align="left"|''Outlandos d'Amour''
|-
| September 1979
|align="left"|"[[Message in a Bottle (song)|Message in a Bottle]]"
| 1
| 74
| —
| 2
|align="left"|''Reggatta de Blanc''
|-
| November 1979 (re-r.)
|align="left"|"[[Fall Out]]"
| 47
| —
| —
| —
|align="left"|''—''
|-
| November 1979
|align="left"|"[[Walking on the Moon]]"
| 1
| —
| —
| 9
|align="left"|''Reggatta de Blanc''
|-
| 1980 (Ger. and Fra. only)
|align="left"|"[[Bring on the Night]]"
| —
| —
| —
| —
|align="left"|''Reggatta de Blanc''
|-
| February 1980 (re-r.)
|align="left"|"[[So Lonely]]"
| 6
| —
| —
| 31
|align="left"|''Outlandos d'Amour''
|-
| October 1980
|align="left"|"[[Don't Stand So Close to Me]]"
| 1
| 10
| 11
| 3
|align="left"|''Zenyatta Mondatta''
|-
| December 1980
|align="left"|"[[De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da]]"
| 5
| 10
| —
| 11
|align="left"|''Zenyatta Mondatta''
|-
| September 1981 (UK only)
|align="left"|"[[Invisible Sun]]"
| 2
| —
| —
| —
|align="left"|''Ghost in the Machine''
|-
| October 1981
|align="left"|"[[Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic]]"
| 1
| 3
| 1
| 1
|align="left"|''Ghost in the Machine''
|-
| December 1981
|align="left"|"[[Spirits in the Material World]]"
| 12
| 11
| 7
| 6
|align="left"|''Ghost in the Machine''
|-
| May 1982 (US only)
|align="left"|"[[Secret Journey]]"
| —
| 46
| 29
| —
|align="left"|''Ghost in the Machine''
|-
| May 1983
|align="left"|"[[Every Breath You Take]]"
| 1
| 1
| 1
| 6
|align="left"|''Synchronicity''
|-
| July 1983
|align="left"|"[[Wrapped Around Your Finger]]"
| 7
| 8
| 9
| 17
|align="left"|''Synchronicity''
|-
| October 1983
|align="left"|"[[Synchronicity II]]"
| 17
| 16
| 9
| —
|align="left"|''Synchronicity''
|-
| January 1984
|align="left"|"[[King of Pain]]"
| 17
| 3
| 1
| —
|align="left"|''Synchronicity''
|-
| October 1986
|align="left"|"[[Don't Stand So Close to Me#1986 single release|Don't Stand So Close to Me '86]]"
| 24
| 46
| 10
| 20
|align="left"|''Every Breath You Take: The Singles''
|-
| 1995
|align="left"|"Can't Stand Losing You/Reggatta de Blanc" ''(live)''
| 27
| —
| —
| —
|align="left"|''Live!''
|-
| 1997
|align="left"|"Roxanne '97" ''(featuring [[Pras]])''
| 17
| 59
| —
| 38
|align="left"|''The Very Best of Sting and the Police''
|-
| 2000
|align="left"|"When The World Is Running Down" ''(Different Gear vs. The Police)''
| 28
| —
| —
| —
|align="left"|
|}
==Band members==
{| class="toccolours" border=1 cellpadding=2 cellspacing=0 style="width: 500px; margin: 0 0 1em 1em; border-collapse: collapse; border: 1px solid #E2E2E2;"
===Line-ups===
|-
! bgcolor="#E7EBEE" | (January 1977–July 1977)
|
*[[Sting (musician)|Sting]] - bass, lead vocals
*[[Henry Padovani]] - guitar
*[[Stewart Copeland]] - drums, percussion, backing vocals
|-
! bgcolor="#E7EBEE" | (July 1977–August 1977)
|
*Sting - bass, lead vocals
*Henry Padovani - lead guitar
*[[Andy Summers]] - rhythm guitar, backing vocals
*Stewart Copeland - drums, percussion, backing vocals
|-
! bgcolor="#E7EBEE" | (August 1977–1984)
|
*Sting - bass, lead vocals
*Andy Summers - guitar, backing vocals
*Stewart Copeland - drums, percussion, vocals
|-
! bgcolor="#E7EBEE" | (June 1986–January 2007)
|
(The Police disbanded)
|-
! bgcolor="#E7EBEE" | (January 2007–present)
|
*Sting - bass, lead vocals
*Andy Summers - guitar, backing vocals
*Stewart Copeland - drums, percussion, backing vocals
|}
==Awards==
===[[BRIT Awards]]===
*1982 – Best British Group
*1985 – Outstanding Contribution To Music
===Grammy Awards===
*1980 – [[Grammy Award for Best Rock Instrumental Performance|Best Rock Instrumental Performance]] for "[[Reggatta de Blanc]]"
*1982 – [[Grammy Award for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal|Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal]] for "[[Don't Stand So Close to Me]]"
*1982 – [[Grammy Award for Best Rock Instrumental Performance|Best Rock Instrumental Performance]] for "[[Behind My Camel]]"
*1984 – [[Grammy Award for Song of the Year|Song of the Year]] for "[[Every Breath You Take]]" (awarded to Sting)
*1984 – [[Grammy Award for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal|Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal]] for "[[Every Breath You Take]]"
*1984 – [[Grammy Award for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal|Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal]] for ''[[Synchronicity (album)|Synchronicity]]''
===Rock and Roll Hall of Fame===
* The Police were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on March 11, 2003 [http://www.rockhall.com/inductees/inductee-list/]
==References==
<references/>
{{Refimprove|date=January 2008}}
<!--See [[Wikipedia:Footnotes]] for an explanation of how to generate footnotes using the <ref(erences/)> tags-->
==See also==
{{commonscat|The Police}}
{{wikiquote}}
*[[Best selling music artists]]
*[[Andy Summers]]
*[[Sting (musician)]]
*[[Stewart Copeland]]
==External links==
*[http://www.thepolice.com/ The Police] - official website
*[http://www.policefans.org/Police_wiki/ PoliceWiki]
*[http://listing.free.fr/ LiSting] - fans community website
*[http://www.unratedmagazine.com/Movies/2006/ThePolice_EveryoneStares.cfm UnRated Magazine Review of The Police - Everyone Stares: The Police Inside Out]
*[http://www.jambase.com/headsup.asp?storyID=9947 http://www.jambase.com/] - Stewart Copeland Interview
{{The Police}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Police, The}}
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