The Police were one of the definitive rock groups of the 1970s and 1980s. They formed in London in 1977 and for most of their history consisted of Sting (nicknamed due his habit of wearing a yellow and black t-shirt), Andy Summers and Stewart Copeland. The group broke through at the same time that punk was shaking up the music scene in the late 1970s, playing a style of rock influenced by reggae, jazz and punk. The Police were indisputably the most adventurous leaders of the genre then known as New Wave.
Their first album Outlandos d'Amour, debuted in 1978 and reached no 6 in the UK with such hits as Roxanne and So Lonely. Their second album Reggata de Blanc, with the single Message in A Bottle, was the first of five consecutive number one albums. Finally in 1983, after a year long sabbatical, The Police released their final studio album Synchronicity. This achieved number one in both the UK & US and contained the hugely successful hit single Every Breath You Take. The album earned them three Grammy Awards. They split-up in 1986 but reunited in 2007 for a one-off world tour. They were the world's highest-earning musicians in 2008, thanks to their reunion tour
'We look so young and innocent' The Police supporting Cherry Vanilla at the Marquee Club, London in June 1977
Relaxing before a gig in Scotland in June 1979, Sting, Stewart Copeland and Andy Summers were in high spirits
The White Stripes give an electric performance on the Pyramid Stage at the Glastonbury Festival in June 2002
Jarvis Cocker performing one of his signature moves with Pulp on The Park Stage during the 2011 Glastonbury Festival
Thom Yorke and Radiohead playing a surprise performance on the Glastonbury Festival Park Stage in 2010
Pharell Williams in 2015 on the Pyramid Stage at the Glastonbury Festival
Liam Gallagher is best known as the charismatic, self-assured front man of Manchester Britpop band Oasis.
The Faces were an English rock band formed in the wake of the Small Faces’ split in 1969, releasing four studio LPs and one live album.
Carlos Santana is a Mexican and American musician who first became famous in the late 1960s and early 1970s with his band, Santana.
Blondie is a American rock band founded by Debbie Harry & Chris Stein that pioneered the New York new wave & punk scenes of the 1970s.
For eight years photographer Brian Duffy worked with David Bowie and shot his most iconic and enduring images. View his fantastic collection
This print collection by Jill Furmanovsky contains images of Oasis on-the-road, onstage and recording in the studio during their zenith.
Our contact sheet collection is a rare opportunity to look back at the hidden moments surrounding some of rocks most iconic images.
