How many people have seen The Police and if not, why?

[tonydrums]

I had the pleasure of seeing The Police a number of times.

'81 - in NYC at Madison Square Garden on the Zenyatta tour
'82 - In NYC at Madison Square Garden and again in New Jersey at the Meadowlands Arena on the Ghost tour
'83 - NYC at Shea stadium, Synchronicity
'84 - In Atlantic City, NJ, Synchronicity

Each show was memorable. Stand outs were Atlantic City because I was about 5 rows in front of the stage on Sting's side and Shea for the sheer spectacle of it. The Ghost shows were cool too. Great memories.

I first heard the band in '78 when a local DJ by the name of Scott Muni here in NY played Roxanne on a show he hosted called "things from England". I remember him talking up a group that put out this song that was banned by the BBC in England and debuted it for the first time on NY radio. I was hooked from there on in.

I'm so stoked at seeing them again. Hopefully, some new music will follow.

[bella]

Tony, you are one lucky bastard. I hate you. (Not really, just severely jealous.)

[tonydrums]

Wow! My first post and I generate a hate message. I'm flattered.

[bella]

Said with the utmost love and respect for you and your stinking Police-show-spoiled-self.

[tonydrums]

I wish I could remember more about those shows. I just remember bits and pieces and how much I enjoyed them at the time.
Back in the 80's smoking (of any kind) was allowed in arenas.

Matter of fact, I still have some old concert tees and programs. I gotta dig them up and dust 'em off.

On another note, as I'm typing this, and listening to Howard Stern on Sirius and he's talking about the reunion. Word and excitement is spreading.

[bella]

Yeah, I wish you could remember, too, because I love to hear about everyone's experiences. I guess you never met any of them or else I'm sure you would tell, right??

[tonydrums]

The only brush I had with them was at the Meadowlands arena in New Jersey in '82. The arena had a huge parking lot. Once you parked, you then had to walk on this covered walkway that goes to the arena. Upon exiting this walkway, on the other side of the fence, was a helipad (about 50 yards I guess) . I see a helicopter about to land and tell friends that I bet the Police are on that helicopter. I and about 1000 other people had the same thought. The helicopter lands and the boys got out. People went nuts of course, screaming their names. I faintly remember they waved and got in a car. They probably got freaked out by all the people going nuts.

Thanks for getting me to shake the cobwebs off my memory. As more memories dislodge themselves from my brain, I'll let you know.

[olivier]

Hey tonydrums !
Welcome here, lucky boy !!!

Do you have a copy of each concert of The Police you saw ?
If not, I have all of them, except NYC Madison Square Garden in '82.
If you're interested.....

[Ska Man]

I'm Happy to say I've seen The Police a couple of times, once with The English Beat. WOW !!!!

[BEFAN]

I (almost) saw The Police on April 11, 1980 in Barcelona, but my mother didn't give me the money until the day of the concert, when it was already sold out. It was the saddest day of my life (I was 14).

Luckily, they returned to my city the same year, and I finally saw them live on August 29, 1980. When the boys appeared on stage to perform "Don't Stand So Close To Me" (which, btw, hadn't been released yet) I was literarily in HEAVEN. The happiest moment of my life until then.

I saw them for the second time on October 1, 1983 (they didn't visit Spain during the 'Ghost' tour). Another WONDERFUL experience.

Since then I've seen Sting every time he's performed in Barcelona (although I wasn't very happy with his 2003 show), and I've seen Andy Summers twice. Last November I saw Stewart when he came here to present his film.

If a new Police tour is confirmed and they don't visit my city (doubtful), I'll go anywhere to see them again.

[BlanketMan]

Just signed up... HUGE Police fan (obviously)... the first CD I ever bought was Synchronicity in 1984, back when everyone else was still buying *vinyl* ... they're still my all-time favorite band.

I was lucky enough to see them in August of '83 in Landover, MD, at the late, lamented Capital Center. Some unknown band from Atlanta named R.E.M. opened for them (that singer had serious enunciation issues!), and MTV's Nina Blackwood introduced The Boys. It was my first real concert experience, and remains my favorite show ever.

Now, like so many others on this site, I find myself checking the web constantly since these tour rumors started. I've dug out all my old Police crap (books, posters, tour publicity stuff, tickets ($17.50!), and cannot WAIT to snag some tix as soon as they're available. My birthday is next week, and my wife has promised to get me the best seats available regardless of price, even if she's gotta go after-market (eBay) - I'm not sure she realizes that this might require a second mortgage!

Anyway, love the site, and will continue to worship at the alter of rock's greatest living drummer...!

[bella]

Yeah, BlanketMan, welcome to the fold. Love your post.

Befan, glad you got to see them after that first upset.