Message in a Bottle: The Police Back on Tour

Feb. 27, 2007— -- Before Sting, there was the Police. Before Phil Collins, there was Genesis. And before David Lee Roth, there was Van Halen. Different bands use different terms for breaking up: "taking a break," "exploring other opportunities" or "going on sabbatical," to name a few. But they all amount to the same thing: rock 'n' roll code for "I'm sick of this, and I'm sick of you."

The Police, made up of Sting, Stewart Copeland and Andy Summers, hit it big in America with its 1977 song "Roxanne" and its 1980 smash single "Don't Stand So Close to Me." The song put the band at the top of the pop charts, but the title was probably what the three band members were feeling when they called it quits in 1984. For the past two decades, Police fans have been waiting for the group's return.

The Police is not alone in its breakup saga. Many bands, from Genesis to the Smashing Pumpkins, have fallen victim to "creative differences." But don't fret, where there is a breakup, there is always room for a make up. Or, in the case of many 1980s rock bands, a reunion tour. That's the route the Police is now taking.

"It used to be the bands of the '60s and '70s would reunite for these big summer tours and, as time progresses, the ones from the '80s are doing it as well," explained Evan Serpic, associate editor at Rolling Stone magazine, in an interview with ABC News.

On Feb. 12, 2007, after more than two decades apart, the Police officially reunited and launched a reunion concert tour for this summer, centered on the 30th anniversary of its smash song and karaoke favorite, "Roxanne."

"All three members are going to be back for this tour, which is remarkable, considering the past animosity between Sting and the other two members," said Serpic.

The Police is not the only rock group returning to the stage. On Feb. 2, 2007, the ultimate '80s rock band, Van Halen, after a 23-year split, announced plans for a summer tour of its own, complete with lead singer David Lee Roth. And even Genesis, Phil Collins' iconic group with Tony Banks and Mike Rutherford, unveiled dates for its first collaboration in 15 years. (Could Peter Gabriel make an appearance with them?)