20 Facts About Andy Summers

Andrew James Summers was born on 31 December 1942 and is an English guitarist best known as a member of the rock band the Police.

Andy Summers spent the first half of the 1970s furthering his musical education, before returning to professional work in 1975, eventually joining the Police two years later.

Andy Summers has recorded solo albums, collaborated with other musicians, composed film scores, written fiction, and exhibited his photography in galleries.

Andy Summers was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the Police in 2003.

Andrew James Andy Summers was born in Poulton-le-Fylde, Lancashire, England, on 31 December 1942.

In September 1966, Andy Summers was the first guitarist encountered by Jimi Hendrix after landing in the UK.

The young Andy Summers is portrayed in fiction as one of the "two main love interests" in Jenny Fabian and Johnny Byrne's 1969 book Groupie, in which he is given the pseudonym "Davey".

In London, Andy Summers recorded and toured with acts including Kevin Coyne, Jon Lord, Joan Armatrading, David Essex, Neil Sedaka and Kevin Ayers.

In 1977, Andy Summers was invited by ex-Gong bassist Mike Howlett to join his band Strontium 90, but was coaxed away by future Police bandmates Sting and Stewart Copeland.

Andy Summers achieved international fame as the guitarist for the Police, which he joined in 1977, eventually replacing original guitarist Henry Padovani.

Andy Summers wrote the guitar riff for "Every Breath You Take", though was not given a songwriting credit.

Andy Summers provides an account of the session in his memoir, One Train Later.

Andy Summers explained in 2017 how the sound came about:.

Andy Summers recorded the duet albums I Advance Masked and Bewitched with guitarist Robert Fripp of King Crimson, as well as duet albums with Victor Biglione, John Etheridge, and Benjamin Verdery.

In 1987, Sting invited Andy Summers to perform on his second album.

In March 2017, Andy Summers announced he had formed Call the Police, a Police tribute band, with two Brazilian musicians, Rodrigo Santos on bass guitar and vocals and Joao Barone on drums.

Andy Summers was married to American singer Robin Lane between 1969 and 1970.

Andy Summers married his second wife, Kate, in 1973 and they had one daughter in 1978, Layla Zoe Summers.

Andy Summers primary guitar throughout the Police's peak years was a unique 1963 Fender Telecaster Custom with two significant modifications: an onboard preamp and a Gibson PAF in the neck position.

Andy Summers recorded in the studio with a Roland Bolt amplifier.