I always thought it unfair that Andy and Stu got *zero* writing credits on all those songs! Because those songs would not have been the same without that brilliant guitar and drum work, and I *know* Sting was not writing all their parts for them. Sting played guitar on his solo albums, and he is plainly not capable of writing the kinds of guitar parts Andy Summers does.
That is one of the trickier parts of songwriting. At what point does the arrangement constitute material contribution to the structure of the song and when is it simply a musician doing their job. Every musician brings something to a song, particularly through a recording process, so it would be impossible to give every one of them a songwriting credit. On the other hand, the organist for 60s group Procol Harum just received songwriting credit for his contribution to "Whiter Shade of Pale" even though he was not involved in its original creation.@@brianshaffneraclc
Amen. The Police, at least in the early days, had balls. Try searching for live videos from '78-'79. Amazing. Sting is so up his own *rse. I just loathe his solo stuff. He only really shines when kept in check.
A real musician like Andy knows how to let a song breath. What you don’t play is more important than what you play. Everything he did play added to the song. I’d say the same was true of Stewart’s and Stings playing as well. Great band! One of the best trios of all time.
@@maxhenry9724 did he do too many rolls, and bashes'n'crashes then? he was one of the snappiest, if not THE snappiest rock drummer, what the heck: and he rack'd up more 'clicks' and other timely impacts, than practic'ly any other rock icon, man: i guess it's all a matter-of-taste tho: fair enough, ese~
with andy's superior sense-of-time, and sting's fashionista-up-bringing, now there'd be-no-stoppin' stewart, not that there ever had, or would be anyways, i mean what-the-hey~
PS, someone needs to tell Andy that Gaga is a satanist. She is buddies with Marina Abromovic, an admitted satanist and not to mention was sued by that Chicago hotel for bathing in BLOOD and ruining their 5K marble tub. The meat suit, it goes on and on. That is a sick chick, that Gaga. Pay no attention to that luciferian.
While there's no overstating Sting's incredible talent, it's also difficult to overstate AS's contribution to the Police legacy. His guitar work draws you in without even realizing it. His riff on "Every Breath You Take" is the song. Same with "Voices Inside My Head"... He could also do the power thing as well, see "Synchronicity II." Police fans and musicians already know this, but casual listeners often don't. The guy is amazing. And Stewart Copeland is no slouch either. That band was loaded...
You make a good point. When these guys were getting airplay, I was listening to more heavy rock, so I didn't listen too closely to them. Listening now, I'm blown away by their talent. Amazing musicians.
Regardless the fact that sting was the best lyricist in the band , Stewart and Andy could write and arrange very well and egos never work in a band and sting had a huge one . Sting could have done his solo career and remained with the police . I think the more jazz / rock and pop style on Synchronicity was the direction they were headed . Either way it’s wishful thinking but another tour and them making one more album would be cool bc their chemistry was powerful and magical !
I think the reason it all came to end is mainly due to sting starting to write songs of more complexity and jazz in style and feel which let’s face it didn’t suite a three piece rock band you see that totally in his first solo album
the thing for me about Andy is that during the late seventies when guitars were coming out of that incredible period of self indulgence and the reaction to that was punk plank spanking , he kept melodic and tuneful guitar alive , along with James honeyman scot this lead to people like johnny marr being able to get on the scene with beautiful tones and riffs as Andy had done , so always a great listen and much appreciated man
I had a huge crush on Andy Summers when I was in my early teens. This was back in 1980-82. The Police opened me up to a whole other world of rock music.
There isn't one good album either, lol. They're all full of filler throwaway tracks. The closest to an ok album is Regatta de Blanc. They were a Greatest Hits/singles band, and that's ok. 3 killer tracks every album, so that's absolutely fine.
I have been playing guitar for 50 years. I met this band at the LA Forum in 82. Sting singed my drivers license with “ drive safely “. Andy is a phenomenal guitarist. I’ve admired Andy for many years. He is the real deal.
in'78, i remember seeing b &w posters stapled to telephone poles around L A - "the police are coming!" i thought they were a local band -maybe playing the whiskey?? lol
The Police, Andy, Stewart and Sting and their music, along with Andy's great sense of humor, has really made my life/world a better place. I could listen to these guys sing, play music, or just talk about their lives forever and enjoy the hell out of it! Love you guys!!! To me, the best band ever...and also incredible individual careers after the band.
Nice. The other day I was watching some live Jeff Beck, and my wife said "so, that Beck guy, it's that guy?" ...... 8| ...... I called the lawyer, that's it.........
Amazing band The Police, back when musicians worked hard on their craft. I met Andy Summers once in a camera shop in London in the late 80's & he came across as such a down to earth & decent guy.
What do you mean _"back when musicians worked hard on their craft"?_ Are you really just listening to the radio still? Do yourself a huge favor and stop doing that. Then start using the search function to find there is if anything, far far more musicians who are incredibly talented out there than you ever could have dreamed existed. Many of them (like myself) are huge fans of players like Andy.
@DFS57 : I was about to say that neither of these guys are underrated. They both have influenced millions of guitarists for many decades now, and I'm one of those guitarists, but for me especially Alex. There was a time when I knew every single note he'd played on record. I had turned into a Lifeson clone, so much so I had to stop listening to them for a few years so I could start developing my own style.
I seriously love this guy, he rocked my world on guitar and just his presence... in the 80's. I worked 4x as hard on guitar to learn to play like he does. Anyone that thinks Andy's tasteful guitar style is "easy" has not spent a night playing a set loaded with parallel 5ths.
You are missing the point of the post - its that Andy Summers guitar style has some challenges. As for parallel 5ths, it gets less difficult but for most players its never "easy", as its an unnatural stretch of the hand, and can be very painful and actually cause hand damage requiring orthopaedic treatment - especially if a person does more than their hand can take.
Andy, you are so cool and yet so humble... I don't know if anyone has seen his instructional video, but Andy is one of the great guitarists. I'd put him the top ten. He can do Jazz, Blues, Rock, you name it... so so cool
Absolutely! Andy had made his bones as a musician before he auditioned for The Police. That band only brought him international fame and superstardom. He already had the chops.
Andy even took on some classical training, which shows in "Bring on the night." He is nothing like most guitar players because his interest in soloing is limited; he cares more about harmonies, textures, and colour, which is far harder to make.
To hold together a three piece band one has to be VERY proficient on their own instrument in order be successful. Andy Summers may not be a shredder, however, he is a perfect match against Stings bass , vocals and Copeland's over the top drum's. His melodic, and soundscape approach to playing is the glue that hold the Police together without a doubt.
Andy Summers wasn't a "shredder" in The Police because Sting didn't want to share the spotlight.Andy has stated that when he tried playing lead guitar live on stage with The Police that Sting would actually begin to sing over his playing.
Not necessarily true, Andy made it clear in his memoirs the band collectively did not want to put conventional guitar solos in because every other band was doing the same pentatonic / blues shredding, they wanted a more improvisational, atonal, textured and less-is-more approach (e.g. the solo in Driven To Tears). Andy was soloing a LOT more live when they reunited in 2007, and the newer arrangements for the songs closely mirrored Sting's solo band versions, so Sting was definitely letting him get his guitar on way more than in the past (Sting stepped up the chops on bass too).
There’s only 3 of them. That screams of the incredible talent of each of these guys. Andy can play lead and rhythm and harmonize. That talent makes up for fewer band members and instruments and fits perfectly. These guys are amazing still.
they're the only three piece band where I feel like there's nothing lacking from their arrangements. So many other 3-pieces have such boring guitar parts or super basic bass lines.
I was having dinner at a cheap hotel in Mallorca, there was an English fsmily at the next table. One of boys was whining about the fare and he reminded me of Sting, but as a boy. 20 years later, I still remember him as "Little Stingie". That's about as off topic as Sting's shag-a-thons, right?
Andy is a pitch perfect power trio guitarist. One thing you’ll notice about the most effective power trios (The Police, Rush, Nirvana, King’s X, Primus)…they all have a few thing in common. A powerful, exciting drummer…big, driving bass…and a guitarist who understands the use of atmosphere and space. Andy always understood (consciously or otherwise) that his broadest contribution to the band was atmosphere and depth. It’s a very specialized role on guitar that requires a preternatural understanding of “big picture” music.
@@craigrheberling Sting is actually a weirdly underrated bass player…he can play walking bass lines, taurus pedals, fretless…even fretless while singing which is a whole other trip. Im not a major “sting is god!” type or anything…but the dude is definitely highly talented.
@@timishere1925 I guess I was referring to Andy at the time, I didn't realise until recently how old he was when he was in the police, he'd already had a decent music career for a decade before joining the band, and then to be winning album of the year (with the Police) at the age of 41-42 defies pop's obsession with youth. Obviously McCartney has hit huge milestones on and off for decades - but he's kind of in a different league, a household name, having been in The Beatles. Whereas Summers stands out for me as a working musician, who stuck around after many of his generation had passed their prime and, against all odds, in his late thirties found himself in one of the biggest bands ever - influencing guitarists the world over. But anyway, it's no slight on McCartney's longevity.
The deceptive title turned out to be a good thing. It made us push play on an interesting, funny & informative chat with a much underrated guitarist & person. Class Act. Thx 4 sharin 👍
This band was a perfect storm which can never be recreated. In many ways they went out on a high leaving the crowd wanting more. In my opinion, that’s often the best way although I would’ve loved to have heard what more they could’ve done. Their chemistry is what made them but also what led to their breakup.
Great interview, Andy is a fantastic guitarist and did some fabulous sounds, the Police would not have been the same without his great playing, thanks Andy.
I loved these guys as a kid and still do. Andy Summers is an amazing guitarist, check out some of his work, Last Dance of Mr. X has been one of my favorite albums for decades. Thanks for all the beauty you, Sting and Stewart bring into the world.
"Best" is meaningless in this context. His sound was completely unique, and was an integral part of the biggest band of its era. That's enough, I should think.
The use of "best" was totally in context as meaning offering or producing the greatest advantage, utility, or satisfaction. Andy's guitar playing gave the Police a unique sound from which I derive satisfaction. For me,best sums it up perfectly.
Copeland who is regarded by Billboard to be the 10th best drummer in history really can't be quantified. He had this sort of syncopated rhythm that gave their sound body and depth.
i was not a huge fan of the police but once i was bored started reading his book (my roommates) and couldn't put it down. i appreciate what the police did. but this guy is really interesting. i recommend people read his book even if you're not a fan or a musician.
keep in mind the music fit the times - the crash of cymbals on regatta de blanc was a first splash of bright light on the dark stage the world was in with reagan, thatcher and the placing of mx missiles in europe. the police arrived when we needed them the most
The Police brightened the world when Reagan was president? Most wars in 20th century began with DEMOCRAT presidents. Look it up. Anyone brighten 8 years of Obama when he nearly ruined the country?
"Every Breath You Take" is arguably both Sting's and The Police's greatest song. The instantly recognisable signature guitar riff that basically makes the song was created by Andy. Pure Genius. Possibly the greatest "Less Is More" Guitar player ever to walk this Earth.
It is lyrically very shallow and repetitive at the same time. Just a commercially successful pop song about jealousy….not much of a deep message. I can think of many songs they cooked up that were much more meaningful lyrically. Possibly as a zone out hypnotic song. And the sound of every breath is also very repetitive.
Walking on the moon in my opinion really shows why they needed all 3 to do what they did. Andy's subtle and unique playing. Stewart playing around with Delay on his drums, playing one of the most interesting drum beats ever. And stings super cool and once again UNIQUE baseline and vocals. LONG LIVE THE POLICE! ❤🙏❤
Don't forget Stewart's brother, their manager Miles; who, as a strategy, made the band tour distant nations before launching a USA tour. A successful strategy, a great manager.
Though they toured the USA before they were well known there. They were number one on the charts in the UK, but toured the USA for the exposure. Definitely helped to make them worldwide superstars!
The "rocky relationship with Sting" part should be taken out of the title. Not relevant as this interview delves way deeper and Andy and Sting never really had that rocky a relationship. The title is clearly click bait. LOL
Oh yeah. Andy is the exact opposite of everyone's idea of a rock guitarist. He's low profile, not very fond of catchy stuff, whenever he plays solos he sounds more like Penderecki than Slash. He completely takes over the harmony function, connecting Sting's vocals with Stewart's complex drumming, and I always found it funny to think that was also his social function in the band, mediating between the more outspoken guys. Definitely one of the most original rock and roll guitarists of all time.
I've grown to appreciate Andy's work more than when The Police were together. I find guitarists like him and The Edge with their minimalist approach refreshing to the more prevalent mile-a-minute solos that make up most other guitarists' playing styles. Do miss the sound and the times of the early 80s a lot.
Andy, You are the best Pal! Loved your work with the police and I love your humility and your spirit Bro! Without you, there would have not been an awesome band called the Police. All the best to you Andy!
Great trio. I love a 3 piece band because there's no way for any of the musicians to hide behind anyone. There can be no weaknesses in any of the players which is true of this band.
I love Andy Summers (and the Police). He's an outstanding guitarist with a unique approach to the instrument, and some really memorable licks and chord progressions. His documentary movie was really great too.
Such a great band. Being round 4 or 5 when they were hitting their stride, everytime I hear their songs it reminds me of riding round with my Dad and enjoying the music together and growing up in the MTV era
They always reminded me of another incredibly successful trio... Cream. Only three musicians, but they integrated so well together. Purposefully, their records weren't over-produced and didn't bury the songs and the performances, allowing space for the listener to get into the music too. It's amusing that three such skilled musicians were once lumped in with the three chord bands of the first punk explosion way back in the seventies.
@@panchopuskas1 Cream were two bands. The live 'jazz' improvisational juggernaut and the studio band, who rarely fulfilled their potential. They also only lasted less than three years. Sting is, also, an outstanding songwriter.
I just heard Stings recent release called My Songs where he re-recorded numerous Police Classics and it’s Terrible! Listen to it and you instantly realize just how much Stewart and Andy brought to the Police! Without them it just doesn’t work. The Police were a 3 Sided Triangle. Sting wrote and sang the songs yes but the other two fleshed out the music and made it better! It was a Band with a unique musical chemistry and a power Trio! The mixture made it magical! It’s like three Primary Colors mixing! Red, Blue and Yellow.
andy's book one train later is the best read ever...a true journey in itself,only andy could have handled dealing with the other two..that's for sure yeah!!
Abbey 72 I agree, I really enjoyed it! Stings book "Broken Music" is excellent as well! It reads more like a novel and it's brimming with intelligence. Stewart's book was interesting but was very similar to his narration on "Everyone Stares" movie. Good, but not as enjoyable as the other two IMO.
I actually saw this Documentary film by Andy Summers at a theater in L.A., CA. ( The Royal Theater) & met Andy summers after the 🎥 & got their first (1978) 💿 signed by him& a photo with Andy.😉☺✌📹📷🎥🚬💣💰🎤🎬🎻🎹🎶🎵🎵🎧🎸🎷🍸🍻🍺🍷🍹✈🚎🚊🚕🚨🎫🚦🚧⚠🚥🇰🇷🇮🇹🇪🇸🇫🇷🇨🇳🇩🇪🇯🇵🇷🇺🇺🇸🇬🇧
I don't go out of my way to listen to what pop/rock artists have to say. This one was a pleasure to hear, at least in part due to Andy's level of literacy. Good job, guys.
absolute musical genius, if you haven't read his autobiography, you should, fascinating book. he was in the Animals, recorded the longest guitar solo in history with them, up til that point, on a rock record. went from being a rock star to living on the beach with almost nothing, divorced... I don't want to spoil it, an amazing story, worthy of a feature film, based on it.
Wow…Andy Summers is a very eloquent guy. It’s pretty clear to me he was the calming force in the dynamics of The Police band members’ personalities. He probably kept them together longer than they would’ve otherwise experienced. From what I know, Stu’s dad was the manager, which was a healthy dynamic as well.
We had a jazz trio with Andy years ago in Bournemouth. He was always modest & used to practise a great deal. We sometimes rehearsed in his mother`s front room in Charminster.
