Reggatta de Blanc

Zoo Freaks, get ready to groove with the Zoo Crew as we spin the instrumental vibes of Reggatta de Blanc by The Police from their iconic 1979 album of the same name! This track, a fan favorite, has a cool backstory. It wasn’t born in the studio but evolved from live performances of Can’t Stand Losing You, where the band would jam out an extended instrumental break to stretch their setlist in the early days when they had fewer songs. That jam became the Grammy-winning Reggatta de Blanc, snagging the 1981 award for Best Rock Instrumental Performance. The title, loosely meaning “white reggae” in a playful pseudo-French nod, reflects the band’s fusion of reggae rhythms with their punk and rock edge, a sound that defined their early work. Sting himself has said in interviews that this album was where everything clicked, with their reggae influences becoming so woven into their style that it wasn’t just reggae anymore—it was unmistakably The Police.

Another tidbit from the studio: the recording of Reggatta de Blanc was a bit of a scramble. Unlike their debut, Outlandos d’Amour, which was fueled by a burst of Sting’s songwriting, the band was short on new material for this second album. Drummer Stewart Copeland revealed in a Modern Drummer interview that they walked into the studio without even rehearsing, just asking, “Who’s got the first song?” They dug into old material, with Copeland contributing tracks like It’s Alright for You and On Any Other Day, some of which started as ideas for his side project, Klark Kent. The title track itself was credited to all three members—Sting, Copeland, and guitarist Andy Summers—since it was a collective creation. Posts on X, like one from @ThePoliceBand in 2023, celebrate the album’s release as a pivotal moment, noting how Message in a Bottle and the title track cemented their rise to fame.

Now, let’s rewind to how The Police got their start. Formed in London in 1977, the band came together when American drummer Stewart Copeland, then playing with progressive rock outfit Curved Air, met Gordon Sumner, a schoolteacher-turned-musician better known as Sting. The two hit it off, jamming with a punk rock vibe in mind and initially recruiting guitarist Henry Padovani. That early lineup recorded the single Fall Out, but the real magic happened later that year when Copeland and Sting joined forces with Andy Summers, a seasoned guitarist who’d played with Eric Burdon and the Animals. Summers, about a decade older, brought a wealth of experience, and after some gigs with a short-lived four-piece called Strontium 90, they slimmed down to the classic trio: Sting on vocals and bass, Summers on guitar, and Copeland on drums. Sting’s songwriting, paired with Copeland’s brother Miles Copeland managing and financing their debut, got them signed to A&M Records after the success of Roxanne. From there, their unique blend of punk, reggae, and rock took off, with Reggatta de Blanc launching them into the stratosphere.

For Zoo Freaks who want to dive deeper, check out The Police’s official website for news, merch, and more. Follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and X for updates and throwbacks like their 2023 post celebrating the album’s 45th anniversary. Fans can also connect on PoliceWiki, a fan-run site packed with detailed discographies and trivia. There’s also a vibrant Facebook group, The Police Fans, where fans share memories, rare photos, and tour stories. So, crank up Reggatta de Blanc, vibe with the Zoo Crew, and keep it freaky, Zoo Freaks!