CAN’T STAND LOSING YOU

“I can't, I can't, I can't stand losing, I can't stand losing you,” is the refrain of the eponymous song of The Police, the British new wave band, with a rock n’roll style influenced by punk, reggae and jazz. The American editor of documentaries Andy Grieve and television producer Lauren Lazin have joined their talents, for their directorial debut tracing the life of the guitarist of the band: Andy Summers.

The musician’s life is portrayed since his early childhood when his piano lessons were overwhelmed by his love-at-first-sight encounter with the guitar. The teenage years in London, show young Andy experimenting with music genres, one gig after the next with the Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band. The path continues on the psychedelic scene of acid rock with the group called Dantalian’s Chariot up to the pursuit of the American Dream with The Soft Machine and The Animals before utter oblivion.

The dismay caused by the record industry’s indifference towards Andy’s talent takes a shift when he finds the love of his life Kate Lunken and returns to the UK where he serendipitously meets Sting and Stewart Copeland, with whom the big adventure of The Police band begins. Success arrives quite quickly, accompanied by ups and downs: fame barges in the lives of the musicians, putting at risk their family relationships as well as the harmony within the band.

The popular and successful hits “Message in a Bottle,” “Roxanne,” “Don’t Stand So Close To Me,” “Every Breath You Take,” crisscross the entire globe and Andy Summer wins two Grammy Awards for Best Rock Instrumental Performance with “Regatta de Blanc” and “Behind My Camel”. Finally the Post-Police era arrives: Andy Summer’s eclectic talent draws him to experiment not only with musical instruments but also with writing and especially with photography. And since you never forget your first love, the circle of life leads Andy Summers to the showcase that started it all: The Police band, with 2007’s Reunion Tour.

by Chiara Spagnoli

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