Andy Summers: Difference between revisions
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* [http://www.contemporary-magazines.com/photography75.htm Contemporary interview with Andy Summers] |
* [http://www.contemporary-magazines.com/photography75.htm Contemporary interview with Andy Summers] |
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* [http://web.tiscali.it/andatta/ Andy Summers Detailed Discography, Timeline and Equipment List] |
* [http://web.tiscali.it/andatta/ Andy Summers Detailed Discography, Timeline and Equipment List] |
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* [http://www.bonedo.de/feature/gitarre-bass/containerseiten/andy-summersthe-police-sound-play-alike/index.html Andy Summers Play-/Sound-Alike] (German instructions) |
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{{The Police}} |
{{The Police}} |
Revision as of 10:47, 28 May 2010
Andy Summers |
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Andy Summers (born Andrew James Somers 31 December 1942) is an English guitarist and composer best known for his work in The Police and Eric Burdon & The Animals.
Biography
Early life
Andrew James Summers was born on 31 December 1942 in Poulton-le-Fylde, Lancashire, England[1] to his parents, Maurice and Jean Somers. When he was a young child, he moved to Bournemouth, Dorset,Attended Portchester Boys School and[1] took up the guitar at age 14.[citation needed] By 17, he was playing in local clubs.[1] While a teen he worked in a Bournemouth music store frequented by a young Robert Fripp.[2] Although Summers had been essentially self-taught when he began his professional musical career, he studied classical guitar at California State University at Northridge[3][4] for four years until 1973.
Pre-Police career
Summers began his recording career in the 1960s as the guitarist for the R&B group Zoot Money's Big Roll Band, and its subsequent psychedelic-era incarnation, Dantalian's Chariot.[1][3] In 1968, Summers was a member (for a couple of months, from May to July[citation needed]) of the Canterbury scene jazz fusion band Soft Machine,[3][5] although he did not record with the group[citation needed] He also recorded with Eric Burdon and The Animals[1] (The Animals),[3] and spent much of the mid-seventies doing session work for Kevin Ayers, Kevin Coyne, and others.[1] He was also a member of the band Strontium 90 along with Sting, Stewart Copeland and Mike Howlett.[6]
When he moved back to London, he changed his surname from Somers to Summers.[1]
The Police (1977–1983; 2007-2008)
Summers achieved international prominence as the guitarist for The Police (which he first had contact with in 1977, and of which he was the oldest member by almost a decade), most notably on popular hits such as "Message in a Bottle", "Don't Stand So Close to Me", and "Every Breath You Take". Summers also wrote songs for the Police, such as "Omegaman"[7] and "Mother"[8], and his instrumental "Behind My Camel" (on which Sting refused to play)[2] won the Grammy for Best Rock Instrumental in 1980. Although Sting was the primary lead vocalist, Summers sang lead vocals on several songs, including "Be My Girl - Sally" (which he co-wrote) and "Mother." [9]
Post-Police
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After the break-up of The Police in 1983, Summers continued his musical career, both as a solo artist and in collaboration with other musicians. He has also developed his career as a writer (of books and essays) and a photographer.
Equipment
The Police Years 1977-1984
Guitars
- Fender
- 1963 Fender Telecaster Custom
- 1961 Fiesta Red Fender Stratocaster[10]
Amps
- Marshall Stack and Roland Jazz Chorus Combo
Pedalboards
- A custom Pete Cornish Guitar pedalboard
- Roland G-303's
Discography
Studio albums
References
- ^ a b c d e f g Chris Welch (1996). The complete guide to the music of the Police and Sting. London: Omnibus Press. p. xii. ISBN 9780711953024.
Andy Summers was born Andrew James Somers on December 31, 1942. in Poulton-le-Fylde. Lancashire.
- ^ a b Summers, Andy (2006), One Train Later: A Memoir, New York, N.Y.: Thomas Dunne
- ^ a b c d Pete Prown and HP Newquist (1997). Legends of rock guitar : the essential reference of rock's greatest guitarists. Milwaukee, WI: Leonard. p. 176. ISBN 9780793540426.
- ^ "Ghosts In The Machine". Guitar World. No. Vol. 28, Num. 10. Future US. October 2007. p. 47. ISSN 1045-6295.
{{cite magazine}}
:|issue=
has extra text (help) - ^ Soft machinelast=Bennett. London: SAF. 2005. p. 141. ISBN 9780946719846.
{{cite book}}
:|first=
missing|last=
(help) - ^ Chris Welch (1996). The complete guide to the music of The Police and Sting. London: Omnibus Press. p. xi. ISBN 9780711953024.
Andy Summers was born Andrew James Somers on December 31, 1942. in Poulton-le-Fylde. Lancashire.
- ^ Chris Welch (1996). The complete guide to the music of The Police and Sting. London: Omnibus Press. p. 25. ISBN 9780711953024.
- ^ Chris Welch (1996). The complete guide to the music of The Police and Sting. London: Omnibus Press. p. 31. ISBN 9780711953024.
- ^ Frank W. Hoffmann, Howard Ferstle (2005). Encyclopedia of recorded sound. New York, NY: Routledge. p. 845. ISBN 9780415938358.
- ^ The Unofficial Andy Summers Website
External links
- Official website
- Andy Summers Fender tribute Telecaster homepage
- BBC interview with Andy Summers including audio
- Andy Summers in Fender News
- Book Review of Andy Summers' One Train Later
- Contemporary interview with Andy Summers
- Andy Summers Detailed Discography, Timeline and Equipment List
- Andy Summers Play-/Sound-Alike (German instructions)