The Police Live At The Rang Bhavan - March 26, 1980

Written by Manu Trivedi (@TheIndianJazzGuy)

March 26th, 1980.

Venue: Rang Bhavan, Dhobi Talao, Bombay.
Band Performing: The Police
Organiser: The Time and Talent Club!!! (A welfare charity run by Parsi Aunties!!!) Just how insanely cool must they have been? Wow.

The clip features the band performing “Can’t Stand Losing You” from the band’s debut studio album Outlandos d’Amour.

The album serves up straight ahead high energy rock and includes Roxanne, one of my favourite tracks ever. Interestingly the sound on the album was crafted to the labels needs - but has a reggae tinge nonetheless. It masked the fact that all three members of the band were brilliant jazz instrumentalists.



Sting performed Jazz in the evening, weekends and during breaks from college and teaching. He played with the Phoenix Jazzmen, Newcastle Big Band and Last Exit. He gained his nickname after his habit of wearing a black and yellow jumper with hooped stripes with the Phoenix Jazzmen.

Bet you didn’t know that! That’s the reason he loves jamming with jazzmen and have them play on his records.

The clip above also captures backstage activities of the band - including them going through some Indian Classical records. I spotted the brilliant Music of India LP.

Trippy.

Browse The Revolver Club Rock Collection

Also read: Jethro Tull in India