Ghost In The Machine: 1981/82

13,500 Attend Concert - The Police Sting 'Em with Beat...

Beat was a key word Tuesday night at Rosenblatt Stadium, where the popular rock band, the Police, put 13,500 fans on their feet through a short but tight set.

The beat, also a nickname of the opening band, was the added touch that set the crowd in motion during the 80- minute performance.

Stadium manager Terry Forsberg said lack of a third band and rain-topped forecasts in recent days may have slowed ticket sales. Although 17,000 people could have been accommodated with the seating arrangement no bleacher or infield seats - Forsberg said he considered the concert "generally successful."

The show began at about 6:30 p.m. and ended shortly after 9 p.m. The evening was cool and cloudless, and authorities said there was only one medical emergency, a man who apparently suffered an overdose. He was taken to St. Joseph Hospital South and treated.

Additionally, one man was arrested at the gate on suspicion of possession of cocaine, authorities said.

There were traffic snarls where portions of the Interstate being repaired were limited to one lane, law enforcement officials said.

The Police sound, which includes slow, wandering reggae songs and more upbeat rock numbers, puts unusual stress on the bass-guitar of lead vocalist Gordon Sumner, known to fans as Sting.

That emphasis was the driving force. The bass sound was so leading a factor that the stadium outfield, where fans sat facing the band, practically rumbled.

An added punch was provided by drummer Stewart Copeland, whose aggressive style usually brings him on stage dressed to jog: running shorts and shoes, sweat socks and a T-shirt.

But it was the guitar of Andy Summers, who will strum a simple riff one moment and launch into a quick biting solo the next, that balanced the act.

Sting established his authority early. After introducing the three-man back- up horn section, Sting called forth the saxophone player, telling him to take a bow. Then he mockingly ordered him to fall back, firmly repeating the order. Finally, Sting barked his order at the hesitant musician, who jokingly leaped into action like a scolded child.

Sting just grinned, his eyes knitted into a Clint Eastwood glare, and the show continued.

Adding a bizarre twist to the show's tight orchestration, the Police launched into 'Bring on the Night' right as dusk fell.

There rarely was a break between songs, as the band jumped from one to the next number, including selections from each of its four albums.

The song line-up reflected the versatility the Police possess.

From the opening song, 'Message in a Bottle' a pleading call for love or attention to the confident, aggressive 'Demolition Man', the band showed its many faces: playful and wandering, fast and driving.

Such variety in part explains the wide appeal of the band. There were youngsters, teens and adults - all enthusiastic but well-behaved, Forsberg said. (The stadium manager said the large number of minors at the concert was the reason beer was not sold.)

In its single encore, the band played a medley, including 'Don't Stand So Close to Me', the wryly humorous 'Sally, Won't You Be My Girl' a song about a man who falls in love with an inflatable doll - and an intense, persistent 'I Can't Stand Losing You'.

Opening for the Police was the seven-man English Beat, a British band that played an upbeat, 40-minute set that mixed elements of reggae and ska.

The band was generally well-accepted after a bouncy 'Doors of Your Heart' off its latest album, "Wha'ppen?' - but lost the audience in sing-along attempts, mostly because the Midwest crowd was unfamiliar with the words to the band's catchy tunes.

(c) Omaha World Herald by James P. Healy

The Big time - We join the Police in America and find they're a force to be reckoned with!

The Police arrived on the music scene with 'Can't Stand Losing You' in 1978, and although it suddenly catapulted them to fame, their success was definitely not an overnight one. Sting, Andy and Stewart had all been playing as unknowns for years, trying to hit the big time, and now as one of our most popular bands, the big time is certainly where they are!

Unfortunately for us, the band are now just as huge in America, and that means they've got to spend quite a bit of time over there. Concerts here are few and always packed to capacity - you practically need binoculars to see the stage, never mind the band. That's why we decided it was time to treat ourselves to some close-ups of the Police and as the trio were currently packing them in across the Atlantic, that's just where we went.

As they're so popular, not to mention incredibly busy, the press aren't usually allowed to go too near the venue or the band - however Jackie was the only British magazine authorised to cover the event, and although we're Britain's biggest and best, it was still our pleasure!

The place was the Rosenblatt Baseball Stadium in Omaha, Nebraska, and the Police were supported by another British band, The Beat. After their 45-minute session before an amazing 13,500 crowd, The Beat, dripping with sweat disappeared off stage, and the scene was set...

As daylight faded and the crowd grew impatient, backstage each member of the band had his own way of preparing for the concert. Andy, as always with a camera around his neck took photographs for his personal album; Stewart was in high spirits and played banjo with Dave Wakeling of the Beat, while Sting laughed and joked with backstage personnel.

The signal was given and soon, three shadows could be spotted running up the short flight of stairs to the stage. This was all the crowd needed and as their roar grew, the Police were in position, their instruments checked, the lights were switched on and the stage burst into life. Beginning with the appropriate 'Bring On The Night', there was no stopping the boys in blue.

From then on the show was peppered with hits like 'Roxanne', 'Message In A Bottle', 'So Lonely', 'Spirits In The Material World', 'Can't Stand Losing You' and lots more. The crowd danced, Sting danced, Andy danced and Stewart did his best to join in under the circumstances. It was a great night.

The show was incredible success, and 90 minutes later they finished and even came back for a three song encore. The crowd were still cheering as the band made their escape from the venue, racing back down the stairs and into a line of gleaming limousines. Before you could say 'Reggatta de Blanc' the band were on their way to their luxurious hotel.

The Police may be having a ball across the Atlantic, but we hope it's not too long before the force is with us once again!

(c) Jackie