In Philadelphia, The Police Were Arresting »
Posted By Radiofreeeuropa 1 year, 2 months ago in Arts & EntertainmentOn Thursday July 19th , I joined 45, 000 other gleeful music fans at the Phillies' home field in South Philadelphia to welcome Andy Summers, Stewart Copeland and Gordon Sumner back to our neck of the woods. (Despite the predictions, it didn't rain.) What makes the Police a distinctive band worthy of our consideration?
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Radiofreeeuropa
All progress comes from unreasonable people.
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Comments So Far: 43
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Radiofreeeuropa1 year, 2 months ago
This week's DC article is about The Police show in Philadelphia and their impact on music at large. Sting, Stewart, and Andy provided quite an eye opening experience for the multi generational crowd. I invite everyone to try the chatngo bulletin board over on the right side of your screen on the dulyconsider.com website.
It's easy to use and if your interested the author will be available for live chat at 12:00 A.M. (midnight) tonight.
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GregD1 year, 2 months ago
deathray, I'm jealous *grin*
They didn't play in Portland, Oregon and the nearest they came was Seattle. I'm really hoping that this isn't the "final" tour.
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SwampFox11 year, 2 months ago
I knew you and I had crossed paths before, my cool friend.
Ever hear of Opa Locka? I was sixteen when I first started traveled de Swamp West and North of Miami. My grandfather was with the first motorcycle policemen formed in Miami. Damned, dude, he loved his Harleys. He used to let my sister and I ride with him in the side-car. We'd run from the Hialeah race track to Miami Beach on 79th Street.
That's my handle: OpaLocka90. When I said Fred Neil was a fellow swampy, he lived not to far from our little swamp. Place called Coconut Grove. Peace
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jaern1 year, 2 months ago
my coworker saw them last week in Detroit. She said, "I can die now."
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natashas1 year, 2 months ago
I may not be able to see them in concert but at least I can still listen to the music.
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Gecko12671 year, 2 months ago
I saw the Police at Wrigely Field a few weeks back and the concert was amazing. We had fourth row center seats. They did not dissapoint - I wish they would have taken further liberties with the songs!
The only complaint - it was too loud :) Might be that I'm just starting to show my age.
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BoxMonkey1 year, 2 months ago
I may be in the minority , but The Police always just seemed alright to me . Actually most of the crew I have hung with felt the same way , except for one fellow . Also I must say , most of what I heard was the commercial stuff . Although I only listened to college radio for close to 7 years in the late seventies and early eighties .But good post just the same RFE .
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Radiofreeeuropa1 year, 2 months ago
College radio is always diverse so I'm sure you were listening to good music.
A lot of folks liked the energy of punk but wanted some musical substance as well. The Police seemed to me to fill that void with reggae influenced, informed, powerful pop-rock.
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Hugh_G_Rection1 year, 2 months ago
No offense, BoxMonkey, but their deceptively difficult stuff ('deceptive', given their crisp and seemingly simple sound) is easily lost on those without an ear for the subtleties. For example, when it comes to keeping a beat, while simultaneously working against it, there's nobody better than Copeland.
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tehranchik1 year, 2 months ago
What a great job on this one Radio. Just as I got back from the middle east in the early eighties the Police were on the scene along with MTV. I had been cut off from American music for quite a few years and let me tell you...the Police blew me away. I couldn't get enough of them along with a few others. Of course we all had crushes on different members. We used to turn the stereo up to the max and sing along---we were the Police. ROXANNE--it still rings in my ears to this day.
I had no idea that Andy was 10 years senior to Sting and Stewart---he doesn't show it at all. OK I'm rambling. Great work and thanks for the enjoyment.
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scott42611 year, 2 months ago
One of my biggest concert regrets was missing an opportunity to see the Police with Joan Jett and the Blackhearts in early 1982. They were coming to Jacksonville, Florida. The Police had "Ghost in the Machine" riding high on the charts and Jett was just breaking with "I Love Rock'n'Roll" I'm sure it was a hell of a show!
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RussianThreats1 year, 2 months ago
Can't say I ever was a Police fan, but I guess it was nice someone occupied Citizens Bank Park and NOT stink up the joint (a.k.a the Phutile Phillies ugggh). ;)
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evelyna1 year, 2 months ago
At a concert? People shoot each other in the northern and sothern everyday. No police around at all when this happens.
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cantfoolme1 year, 2 months ago
The Police are scorned at in many quarters being labelled as a pseudo reggae pop group and are unfairly compared with the likes of the Clash. I personally think that is unfair as they have made so many memorable records and just the sort of stuff you want to clap along at a live concert. I only wish i was in a position to see them.
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markmawn21 year, 2 months ago
Andy Summers explains that in a recent interview I read. They were essentially starting about the time Punk was all the rage. For a gutiarist to make it in that environment, hee needed to play fast but easy power chords. It was Stuart that introduced Sting to Bob Marley, whcih also introduced the idea that bass parts did not have to be overbearing and model the guitarist. Thus, they started jamming with a new approach by adding Space to the music. Instead of "hitting" chords, spreading them out instead. Stewart thus has more room for his lightning speed Hi-Hat expresssions, preveiously reserved only for the stringed instruments.
Anyway, their sound is signature as a result, a much needed diversion from bland and noisy punk of the day.
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cantfoolme1 year, 2 months ago
Yep, far be it from me to criticise punk as there was some great stuff but it was merely back to basics played loudly and not without some humour. However, for me it was more of a movement and the music was merely part of that movement. The likes of the Police would never be accepted by the punk community ... their loss.
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markmawn21 year, 2 months ago
I saw them on the 1st night of their 2 nights in Seattle (June 6). It was inspiring to say the least. Andy Summers is like 65 years old now (He was in his late 30's when the band started). I first saw them during the Ghost in the Machine tour in 82 or so. I like them better now, and the reinterpretation of some of their hit songs was so Fresh!
My best impression was how audience friendly they were. Andy spent a lot of time walking to the back of the stage to play for those with the cheap seats.
On a down note, they were not quite there on some of the tunes, perhaps because the tour was on it's first leg and they were working out the stage show. I noticed becasue I have been there and done that and I am sensitive to those things.
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1basque11 year, 2 months ago
It was just a few day's before the new year of "83" when I had just met my, little did I know then, to be husband . There was to be a big Trucker Strike that was going to shut down the country!!! They had to get to Texas before the strike started at midnight...
In the background coming out of that Brown Peterbilt's stereo.....You know what I'm talkin about....
I will never forget Every Breath you Take, Wrapped around your Finger and King of Pain...
Just thinking about it makes the hair on my arms stand up!!!
Thanks Ben for a great trip to the past....WOW, would I love to hear them ...LIVE
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CalMarx1 year, 2 months ago
I could care less , it's just a bunch of ego inflated musicians , what they gonna' do for me or you.
Nothing that's what , now go and try to prepare for your retirements , they have . Besides , only time most music sounds good any way is when one is stoned , and ya' can't stay that way all the time , or do you, you music fans out there ?
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Radiofreeeuropa1 year, 2 months ago
Hey if you don't hear it I can't help you.
Music is like food for the intellect and wine for the soul.
Can't and wouldn't want to live without it.
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Radiofreeeuropa1 year, 2 months ago
gee, life without art is mere existence. like the life of moss, or am I being harsh on moss? No harm intended, but I can't even imagine such a thing.
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SwampFox11 year, 2 months ago
How I do love your taste in music, Bro. When I was jammin' in Philly, the cops used to hassle us...and we were playing acoustics. Would you believe they thought we were some kind of grand conspiracy? Commie-kissers? Damned, we were playing folk-songs. Woody Gutherie's a commie? Joan Biaz? Mimi and Dick Farina? Ledbelly? Dave van Ronk?
We all played at the Double-Fret, in Old-Town. Ate those yummy Philly Cream-Cheese Burgers, at 2:AM!!! Those were some cool days back in '64. The worst thing done was at Swarthmore. A medical student greased the rail of the only train connecting Philly to Swarthmore. You'll be happy to note that he today is a highly respected plastic surgeon, and makes mega-bucks in LalaLand?
And, before anyone calls Homeland Security, he was whacked out of his skull on some stash I shared with him.
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getreal11 year, 2 months ago
Radiofreeeuropa That was one of the songs he used to snag me. We use to throw music at each other, Some for warnings, some for making statements and some for hinting around. I can come up with some good ones to let him know what he's doing when I'm not around. I know you remember Steppenwolf? Now that goes way back. I wish I didn't have to work all the time I would love to hit some of these concerts.
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dotsie_d1 year, 2 months ago
The Police made music that is timeless. They are the 70s answer to the Beatles, in my opinion. From "Roxanne" to Sting's new project in medieval music, these guys are not your ordinary band. Their contribution to music as it is today and how it changed the face of it (making punk acceptable, a trio band rather than four in the band).I am going to hear them in New Orleans this fall when they play, so it sounds like it's gonna be one hell of a treat! Thanks for a little taste, Ben!
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