Police play fan club concert at the Marquee Club...

I have so many great memories of those heady days back in the late 1970's and early 1980's. I can't put into words how much I loved The Police, they were just something so special, so unique. I was lucky enough to see The Police 'live' many times. It's been a long time now but I'll never forget the excitement I always felt seeing the three of them on stage. The first time I ever went to a Police concert was on a freezing cold and snowy Saturday in December, 1981. I was only 14 years old!! I had got tickets to see The Police at their secret 'warm-up' gig in London preceding their British tour that month.

My friend and I struggled through the blizzard and across the ice to get from our homes to Coventry train station late that morning, ready to get a train to London for the gig that night. However when we arrived at Coventry station I was seriously worried that we weren't going to make it there because most of the trains were being cancelled due to the snow. Luckily, after a lengthy wait there was at last a train to London, but it was so full that we had to stand in the (very cold) luggage compartment for the 90 minute journey. I didn't mind - I knew I just HAD to get to London!!!

The gig was at The Marquee Club, and the room only held about 400 people. I was one of the first to get in, and rushed down to get a place standing right in front of the small stage (on the side where Sting's keyboard and microphone were set up). I could not believe my eyes when the band came on stage and launched into the first song. Was I really here, was it true that my heroes were here right in front of me? YES, it was. I was literally a few inches away from Sting! What a night that was, and what a gig!

In the years to come I was to see a lot more Police (and Sting) concerts, and hopefully more yet to come!! I managed to meet them, get autographs and some smashing photos, and every single memory means the world to me, but that very first time I saw them 'live' was very, very special. Thanks Sting, thanks Stewart and thanks Andy, for some wonderful memories...

© Jayne Hawkins for Outlandos/Sting.com
Ticket image from Paul Carter

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