Some love and appreciation for Andy Summers...

[Allen in San Jose]

This gentleman is one of the more under-appreciated guitarists in rock, IMHO. And he's really not a rock guitarist - at least, he can't be reduced to merely that style.

His work with the Police is of course great, but check out his solo stuff, like this cut:

 

[A-Bone]

For a long time Summers was one my benchmarks for wet (clean) tones.

 

[Phnurt]

I was in a different space in my teens but I was still a Police fan. I didn't fully appreciate Andy as a "guitar virtuoso" till the post-police stuff in my twenties. Landmark tone, incredibly tasteful chops.

 

[Chrome Dinette]

Big fan here. Ghost In The Machine was among the first records I bought with my own money.



sing along if you know the words

 

[Stu Cats]

Sting should give Andy back all the money he made from EBYT.

 

[AZChilicat]

Recently trying to learn a few classic Police songs made me appreciate that for a tiny guy he's got some good reach.

 

[A-Bone]

Big fan here. Ghost In The Machine was among the first records I bought with my own money.



sing along if you know the words

I spent some time attempting to learn that tune.

 

[NorCal_Val]

Certainly on my list of "players who have influenced me". Somewhere near the top.

 

[Ajax77799]

This gentleman is one of the more under-appreciated guitarists in rock, IMHO. And he's really not a rock guitarist - at least, he can't be reduced to merely that style.

His work with the Police is of course great, but check out his solo stuff, like this cut:

He's definitely under the radar in my opinion- not flashy but just all around GOOD and innovative in certain areas. Listen to a track called "I Remember",
an acoustic duo track with classical maestro Manuel Barrueco- Andy does a short steel string solo that is sublime- excellent note choices and tasteful as can be.

 

[S. F. Sorrow]

Was surprised he was doing music in the 60's.
Cool psych tune. You can tell his style.

 

[JimGtr]

I was surprised too when I learned that. And he also jammed with Jimi. In fact I found this short interview. Amazing that they were both part of the scene at that time in London. http://www.djnoble.demon.co.uk/ints/ANDYSUM.ME0.html

 

[Chrome Dinette]

He is basically a contemporary of people like Clapton, the guys in the Rolling Stones, Page, Beck, etc. In fact, he is a couple of years older than some of those guys.

He just didn't become famous until much later. He had quite the varied career before the Police, though. He played in one line up of the Animals, toured in Neil Sedaka's backing band, etc.

I generally steer clear of reading rock star bios, but his is pretty good.

 

[Chrome Dinette]

He had some regular ballroom jazz band gig in his late teens and his replacement when he quit was Robert Fripp, I believe.

 

[Chrome Dinette]

I think he sold Clapton a Les Paul early on.

 

[Balok]

As far as I'm concerned he was the most important member of The Police. Sting would disagree of course. Stings vocals over Summers' killer chord creativity made the band work. Sting solo? no.

 

[Lobomov]

He is my biggest influence .. And his bio One Train Later is excellent as already stated

 

[Chrome Dinette]

As far as I'm concerned he was the most important member of The Police. Sting would disagree of course. Stings vocals over Summers' killer chord creativity made the band work. Sting solo? no.

Yeah, I know a lot of folks on here love Sting's solo stuff, but it does very little for me.

I think Sting needs to always work with a drummer who is not afraid to throw a stick at his head.

 

[NorCal_Val]

Addendum;
His autobiography is a "must read".
The thing I really loved about it was that you can hear Andy's voice narrating it as you read.

 

[Chrome Dinette]

Also, would like to know what the shoes are at 46:17

 

[monty]

One of my biggest influences! AS is just unreal with what he could do with a guitar and a good song.