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Andy Summers

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Andy Summers

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

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

Amps

  • Marshall Stack and Roland Jazz Chorus Combo

Pedalboards

Discography

Studio albums

2

References

  1. ^ 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.
  2. ^ a b Summers, Andy (2006), One Train Later: A Memoir, New York, N.Y.: Thomas Dunne
  3. ^ 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.
  4. ^ "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)
  5. ^ Soft machinelast=Bennett. London: SAF. 2005. p. 141. ISBN 9780946719846. {{cite book}}: |first= missing |last= (help)
  6. ^ 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.
  7. ^ Chris Welch (1996). The complete guide to the music of The Police and Sting. London: Omnibus Press. p. 25. ISBN 9780711953024.
  8. ^ Chris Welch (1996). The complete guide to the music of The Police and Sting. London: Omnibus Press. p. 31. ISBN 9780711953024.
  9. ^ Frank W. Hoffmann, Howard Ferstle (2005). Encyclopedia of recorded sound. New York, NY: Routledge. p. 845. ISBN 9780415938358.
  10. ^ The Unofficial Andy Summers Website
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