Rolling Stone once ranked Andrew James Summers from Blackpool, England among the top guitarists in history, placing him high on the all-time list. Summers stood out as a blond, compact player whose style defined The Police and left a lasting mark on rock. His late-80s heyday coincided with a surge of technological sound shaping that influenced countless players and bands alike, and his influence persists in the way The Police are remembered as a landmark act of its era.
Born in the years right after World War II to an RAF father and a mother who worked in a bomb factory, Summers grew up as the eldest of three brothers. While his peers chased chart success and critic admiration, Summers remained focused on the musical craft that would set him apart. The punk and new wave movements offered a stage, and The Police emerged as a group that could ride the energy of the moment and still push artistic boundaries.
Conflict with Padovani
The Police faced a tough path in a London scene crowded with new bands. Sting brought jazz-inflected bass and vocal roots, Stewart Copeland cultivated a percussion vocabulary from his own training and experiences, and Summers brought classical guitar technique and a broader musical education. Early on, Corsican guitarist Henri Padovani joined the lineup, delivering attitude but not the same musical precision. The early days were lean: intimate gigs, narrow audiences, and the struggle to turn a handful of fans into nationwide recognition. Summers contributed precise, expressive playing that helped define the band’s sound and set the direction for what would become a string of influential hits.
In retrospect, Summers played a pivotal role in the departure of Padovani, though the exact reasons were debated in private and in memoirs. The dynamic between Sting and Copeland, paired with Summers’ distinctive approach, created a moment when the group could pivot toward a more focused collaboration. The result was a defining period for The Police and a turning point in their journey toward wider commercial success and enduring cultural impact.
capo chords
Summers stood shoulder to shoulder with guitar legends like Eric Clapton and Jimi Hendrix, earning praise for a guitar voice that perfectly complemented Sting’s vision. He believed that typical barre chords in pop and rock could be too literal, sometimes sounding closed in. Summers described a more expansive approach that opened space and color within chord shapes, a philosophy that helped the band craft melodies with a sense of motion and bite. This perspective informed many of the group’s most memorable riffs and progressions.
There was debate about the use of capo, yet Summers aided the development of many signature tracks including Roxanne, So Lonely, Message in a Bottle, and Walking on the Moon. His approach brought a fresh energy that transformed those songs into enduring tunes. He brought in a style that would be imitated by many, contributing to a sound that felt both immediate and inevitable. The band and its contemporaries recognized Summers as a force who could blend technical prowess with an instinct for pop sensibility, sometimes countering the punk tempo with a measured, controlled touch. He arrived at a moment when the music world was hungry for both edge and melody.
From his early guitar work as a child through his first serious professional instrument, Summers showed a rare combination of technique and musical instinct. The young guitarist picked up a 1961 Fender from a seller in Los Angeles and later added an Echoplex to craft the atmospheric echoes that became part of The Police’s signature sound. A red Stratocaster joined in later years to complete a live look that matched the band’s evolving identity. These tools, paired with Summers’ deliberate approach, helped shape a voice that could cut through crowded arrangements and leave a lasting impression on audiences worldwide.
With a prolific recording career and hundreds of live performances in places where rock was still breaking ground, Summers helped The Police reach massive audiences. The group achieved notable milestones, including a major stadium tour and critical acclaim that paved the way for awards and lasting influence. It was a period that demonstrated how a guitarist could become a central element of a band’s sonic signature and contribute to a global cultural moment.
The source of ‘every breath you take’
The band experienced tension and triumph in equal measure. Summers and Sting shared a strong musical bond, yet personal dynamics could spark moments of strain. The breakthrough moment came with the creation of a track that would become a defining hit in rock history. Sting drafted a concept that included a Hammond-like texture, while Summers took the lead on guitar arrangement and production details that would turn the song into a chart-topping staple. The collaboration produced a track that resonated deeply in studio sessions and in the public imagination, helping define a new era for the band and its listeners.
By the time The Police reconvened for a world tour in the late 2000s, the sense of nostalgia was palpable. The band performed before massive audiences, and Summers recalled the rewards of a long, successful career. The Barcelona Olympic Stadium became a memorable note in a touring chapter that underscored the enduring appeal of the group and its music.
Following the peak years of the band, Summers pursued solo projects, collaborative recordings with old friends such as Robert Fripp, and photography. His creative life expanded into visual arts, with several books and exhibitions marking his broader artistic interests. Summers later remarried and spent time in California while maintaining an active presence on social media. He occasionally revisited previous locations and shared moments mixing with local musicians to record fresh interpretations of classic tunes. His career continued to demonstrate a blend of musical innovation and personal artistry that kept him connected to fans around the world.