The Police

As the brashness of the 1970s British punk movement dissipated into a wider-ranging new wave of bands, The Police blended front man Sting's graphic songs into strong reggae flavours to gain pole position at the heart of it all. With smash hit debut single Roxanne featuring both an irresistible chorus and a compelling lyric about prostitution, they swiftly transcended tribal limits to become one of the world's most popular bands, going on to sell over 50 million albums. American drummer Stewart Copeland originally formed the band with former teacher Sting and guitarist Henry Padovani, who then joined Andy Summers in Strontium 90, before splintering into the classic Police trio of Sting, Summers and Copeland. Driven by Sting's genius for catchy choruses, they had a string of massive hits like Message In A Bottle, Walking On The Moon, Every Breath You Take and Don't Stand So Close To Me. But, with Sting also juggling an acting career, the band split in 1984. Twenty years later they reunited for a tour that made them the highest-grossing band of 2008.