In 1980, British post-punk trio The Police released their third studio album, Zenyatta Mondatta, through A&M Records. Completed in the Netherlands under intense touring pressure, the record bridged their signature reggae-rock fusion with darker pop arrangements, yielding international smash hits like Don’t Stand So Close to Me, with the single and Andy Summers’ instrumental Behind My Camel subsequently earning Grammy Awards.
Featured Documentaries

The Ego That Destroyed The Police

Barry Gibb – The Last Bee Gee

The Truth About Jimmy Page’s Session Years

Five Musicians Who Quit Just Before Their Bands Made It
Latest Articles
Studio Number Six stories exploring the making, legacy and impact of music.

Two Minutes of Profanity: How the Sex Pistols Ended Bill Grundy’s Career
On 1 December 1976, Thames Television’s tea-time news magazine show Today scrambled to fill a last-minute vacancy. Rock group Queen had cancelled their scheduled…

The Flare Gun That Burned Down Montreux Casino and Created “Smoke on the Water”
In December 1971, British hard rock pioneers Deep Purple arrived in Montreux, a tranquil resort town on the edge of Lake Geneva in Switzerland.…

The Day Led Zeppelin Were Banned for Having Long Hair
In February Nineteen Seventy-Two, Led Zeppelin flew into Singapore’s Paya Lebar Airport, fresh from a triumphant tour of Australia. They expected a standard layover…

The Day Bon Scott Shocked Australian Television
In March Nineteen Seventy-Five, AC/DC were still fighting to establish themselves outside of the rough pub circuits of Melbourne and Sydney. Their breakthrough moment…
On This Day
Historic moments connected to this story.

October 15th: The Grateful Dead Go Independent
In nineteen seventy-three, the Grateful Dead released Wake of the Flood, their first studio album on their own record label. Having parted company with…
Explore Story
October 14th: Cyndi Lauper Unveils She’s So Unusual
In 1983, American singer-songwriter Cyndi Lauper released her debut solo studio album, She's So Unusual, on Portrait Records. Produced by Rick Chertoff and propelled…
Explore Story
October 13th: Michael Jackson Conquers the Charts with a Dance Milestone
Michael Jackson's adult solo career reached a new level in 1979 as Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough reached number one on the US…
Explore Story
October 12th: U2 Deepens Their Sound with October
In 1981, Irish rock quartet U2 released their second studio album, October, through Island Records. Recorded at Windmill Lane Studios in Dublin with producer…
Explore StoryBackstage Pass
Get access to exclusive Studio Number Six documentaries and videos, including unedited content and films that cannot be published on YouTube or Facebook.

