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
Shooting promotional films for the singles Rain & Paperback Writer at Chiswick Park Gardens in May 1966
In the studio in Santa Monica, California in 1980, Bob Dylan is captured whilst leaning on his guitar case.
Early shot of The Fall at Central Station Car Park, Manchester in the summer of 1978
Angus Young, from AC/DC, captured in a small street outside a press meeting in Copenhagen in 1977
The Ramones' loud, fast, straightforward musical style was influenced by music that the band members grew up listening to in the 50s & 60s.
Lou Reed was one of music's most influential icons. His music defied all definitions of genre & left a legacy that has inspired generations
Fleetwood Mac are one of the world's greatest rock bands having sold over more than 100 million records over the last 50 years
The Who are an English rock band that formed in 1964 & are considered one of the most influential rock bands of the 20th century.
We are all still reeling from the tragic loss of David Bowie. Here is a wonderful tribute from one of our photographers, Mark Mawston.
Jill Furmanovsky is one of the greatest ever rock & roll photographers with a huge archive of iconic shots of the world's best music artists
The USA has given us many of the world's greatest music artists - we celebrate the best of the best
For eight years photographer Brian Duffy worked with David Bowie and shot his most iconic and enduring images. View his fantastic collection
