Hmmm, that’s a tough one, but I agree with Pete. If you had to lump The Police into a musical genre I’d put them in Punk first…although they’re really more New Wave and Ska influenced than punk, but that just might confuse things.

On the other hand, a modern artist like, say, Lenny Kravitz or maybe even Wolfmother I’d call them classic rock because they seem to draw a lot of their influences from classic rock bands…

So big Pete thinks the only “classic” rock bands are the Stones and The Who??? What about Zeppelin, Sabbath, Hendrix, Rush, etc…
Oh, and maybe The Beatles? Do they not fit the “classic” rock label?
I love The Who, but Pete needs to shut the fuck up.

Classics ended in 1980.
London Calling- last classic album.
Music kicked up again with Nirvana in the 90’s.

nice dude, you’re very cool & cutting edge just like me. I like to smell my own gas sometimes.

Brett,
How did you decide that “Classics” end in 1980?

RushFan, it’s me, Marky! Remember that we’re pretty cutting edge here so don’t be in? Let’s write cool stuff, okay?

Sorry, I meant to say “intimidated”, not “in” stupid me. I don’t like looking at my excrement in the toilet, but the Dr. say’s I should check it.

Any analysis of this topic must begin with defining the word “classic” in the music sense. It sounds like classic rock is a category for a limited period of music rather than a general category where artists are lumped into after a certain period of time passes. This whole idea is largely a phenomenon of the 60’s and 70’s.

I think it’s kinda silly to argue over labels myself.

They’re all rock bands. That’s enough.

So Back in Black isn’t classic??? (1981)

Anybody out there own a Fender Custom Shop “Custom Classic” stratocaster? I want one.

TheLawyer, I admire you dude! You are definately cutting edge, cool, & non-conformist. Sometimes I see corn in my excrement.

Agree with nice dude. I think you can easily label a band like the Black Crowes “classic rock,” despite the fact that they operate in the here and now.

Pete is RIGHT!

I agree with Danny, He rocks!

Back in Black was in 1980, ergo its a classic

Lenny Kravitz > The Who

I’d put the Police alongside the Beatles, Queen, the Smiths, the Cure, the Clash, and the Libertines as great British bands that need no “classic” status to stay relevant. People will always listen to these bands because they are simply the best England has to offer. I’m not hating on the Stones or Who or Zep, because these bands are the cornerstone of what is now “classic rock”. The Beatles don’t really belong on a classic rock station because their music is unarguably better than those and other bands. I think radio should have a British station that plays great UK bands from the 60s to today, and they can choose to play as much “classic” stuff as they want. Point is, the Police (2/3 British) are great and they and the Clash really do transcend “punk” or “new wave” status and are comparable to the Beatles in that they were so much better than their contemporaries AND they made their contemporaries better.

out here in the fields, i fight for my meals… which in this case was a giant-ass chipotle burrito that i just ate for lunch… and there was no fighting involved unless you count the equally giant-ass line that’s always snaking around the joint.

anyways while i was eating, i saw fit to comment, The Police seem more new-wavy to me than anything else. but whatever Pete says goes. He really gets his back into his living and, as such, has no need for forgiveness.

To Whomever told me to kill myself: please stop being like this to me. We’re all hip here, and a little cutting edge. I like being a non-conformist like all of you. Let’s keep it cool, okay, and talk like we’re really “it”. Oh, I don’t wear white underwear cause it shows the “skid” marks.

bab-o-riley, I really like how you worked the lyrics into your sentence. Man, you ROCK! If I could reach it, I would.

this marky dude is where it’s at.

he doesn’t need to fight to prove he’s right… i wish the naysayers out there would follow his lead.

Adam, I could listen to you for days on end. You are the definition of Cool! Write back to me, okay?

What kills me is that the Police are fawned over but The Jam, who are far superior, are overlooked here in America.

Both bands are punk but The Jam did it better

the phrase “Classic Rock” started, if I remember right, as a term for a radio marketing format that played “rock” music from roughly 1967-77. That means Who, Stones, Hendrix, Cream, Allmans, etc. It’s not saying the Police sound isn’t worthwhile, it’s just from a different era. I don’t consider the Police classic rock either. Even Sirius radio has a “Classic Rock” station and a “Classic Rewind” for the later stuff.

Thanks baba! I don’t need to be forgiven either! If I wasn’t double-jointed I’d starve.

i’d call them new wave, classic new wave if you need to acknowlege time and/or originality to genre.

I’m starved for attention, despite being double jointed. Please talk to me, okay?

Definately true Niko. You definately know whats “in”. Would it be wrong to admit that I have tried to reach it?

Stop it please! Not me folks.

Seems to me the Police did but one even sorta punk song, and that was So Lonely. The rest – while – musically interesting – was so slowed down you cannot classify it as punk. The Police at the time were New Wave, and as time has passed they’ve become classic rock. Final note to Pete (like he cares): My Generation was the original punk song in my book, so don’t talk about punk like it sucks.

it’s ok, i’ve tried to reach it, too

Classic Rock is 60’s 70’s rock. Period. The end of it. Police is in a category of their own, what it is, I just don’t know.

Classic rock is nothing more than a radio format used to generate advertising revenue.

It’s the reason we can’t hear Motorhead – Mozart – Misfits- Madonna etal in the same hour..

My take is both bands are fleecing everyone with the tix prices.. and Pete… your new album sucks ..

me, too!

I’m just going to call them The Police, and be done with the matter.

I don’t really like the Police either, the one thing worse than reggae is white reggae.

Marky, you are crackin my shit up…no pun intended. I would try, but how can you argue with Townshend? He can pretty much define what is gospel when it comes to music.

The Police are not punk! Bad form. Bad form indeed.

If the Police dont fall into punk, what would you classify them as exactly? Besides being awesome? Can’t awesome be a genre? Awesome rock? It should be.

the police are 80’s pop rock.

I think they are like “sky”. They really have a cutting edge sound. Not many people listen to them (except cool folk like us). My elbow has a scab on it, & I can’t leave it alone.

It was good to see the Police perform at the grammys but I think they could have sounded a little better. Maybe they’ll tighten up a bit on tour.

Marky see a doctor, dude

Classic Pop?

Marky, what’s wrong with you? Stop picking…

I agree with Pete he speaks the truth!

Ok, I think the porksword and Marky are taking the same meds…or should be taking the same meds, at least.

These labels, categories, what have you are stupid.

Classic rock sucks. Glass tiger is the best.

What are we going to call Britney and the Backstreet Boys one day?….If that ever gets called classic anything, remind me to shoot myself

Who the hell cares what Pete classifies it as, The Police rock more than he does!

Paul, Pete would probably do you serious bodily harm if he heard you speak that way…. Beter watch it

Hey Porksword……..lick your own sack and yeah I’ve listend to the police but bought more Who albums so get over it!

the WHO are as much a punk band as anyone….MY GENERATION is about as punk as you can get.

I was in college when the Police were on top. At first, they were considered “new wave” and eventually they became very pop/rock mainstream by the time they broke up. They had that raggae hook that was very distinctive when they first started. Loved ‘em then, love ‘em now. They are one of the best and, if 25 years later isn’t a sign of classic, then I guess those “classic” acts before The Who…Like Elvis, Jerry Lee Lewis and Chuck Berry must also be in a different class…

Girls, girls, you’re both pretty….

I love The Who, but I think The Police are a classic band and deserve the same respect as bands like The Who. If this hurts Pete’s ego, then too bad.

I think some some Pop bands of the 60s and 70s could manage a rock or blues song and it wasn’t abnormal(classic Pop). But in the late seventies perhaps R&B, Disco sort of shifted pop in a new direction towards the modern Pop of the 80s. In my opinion The Police are part of that classic Pop era with a little ska/reggae/punk thrown in.

Rushfan, i don’t think it’s a matter of who deserves respect. i think pete is using the term “classic” rock as a genre… not as an endorsement

the porksword, how do you know that’s not Lisa Loeb you’re being a tool to? imagine how foolish you’ll feel then.

This is cool! They are cool!

Pete Townshend is a grumpy irrelavant old fart. I concur with steveo. Townshend should stop calling himself the Who by the way. Townshend, Daltery, Moon, and Entwhistle were the Who.

i think that any music of the rock, blues, rock jazz, alternative scene that had a lasting impact on the world of musc can be considered classic rock….Such as pearl jam…their early stuff (Ten, Vs.) is classic, and it rocks…imagine that

WHA,WHO

who are you to tell pete f’ing townshend that he can’t use the old The Who moniker? last time i checked, he rocks harder than you ever did.

Baba, I reread the article…I see your point.

The Who are the most over rated band in the history of rock. The Police at least has some intelligence behind their music. The Who always sounded like they recorded in a basement. The guitars always sounded weak. And Pete Townshend is an idiot. He once shared his insight how he never liked anything Zeppelin ever did. This man is as dumb as he is irrelevant.

Robert,

what what what?!

…to each his own.

Pete is right about the classic rock thing. The Police came up in the punk era but the music did not stay angry enough. Becoming to poppy to be considered punk. 80s pop rock seems like the best way to put it. A little punk, a little new wave, a little ska. Not classic rock.

Oooh, good call Baba…Lisa Loeb is really hot (in my opinion). I LOVE a woman in glasses. Even if she’s not Lisa Loeb, she might be hot. Porksword is an idiot…

Marky,

thanks, i think you too are edgy as well as hip… in equal but totally unique ways.

Maybe TV on the Radio will be classic some day…

culture becomes a bigger, sprawling lump as time passes. pete is correct to say that today the police are not ‘classic rock’. they are still part of the late 70’s/early 80’s ‘new wave’, which was about the same time that term ‘classic rock’ was coined to describe the insanely popular bands from a decade earlier to separate them from this new type of rock that was new wave.

at the same time, my local ‘classic rock’ radio station plays heaps of U2 and police songs. within a couple years, both bands will be considered classic rock as more and more of the past becomes vaguely defined. soon guns n’ roses – and eventually even nirvana – will be considered ‘classic rock’, as that term will be used to describe almost anything over a decade old that has a guitar in it.

ooo, i stand corrected they broke up back in 2004.

for the record, lisa loeb is more punk than the police. heh, just kidding.

abandonedstation,

i can totally dig that. well put.

I’m out…hope everyone has a good weekend…except for Marky and the porksword…hope that get a staph infection…

To me, this just reflects the bigger question: what do you call bands who were new and exciting 10 or 20 years ago? I’m sure it would peeve Townshend to no end if I told him that I’ve heard The Police, The Cars, U2, and The Black Crowes (honestly) on my local ‘classic rock’ station within the past two months.

Personally, I agree that the term ‘classic rock’ should include music that reflects a certain era/style of music between… I guess ‘oldies’ and the new wave/punk of the late 70s. The Who, Rolling Stones, Beatles, Pink Floyd, Neil Young, Bob Dylan, CSNY, Jimi Hendrix, Cream, Eric Clapton, Grateful Dead, Led Zeppelin, Queen, Black Sabbath, Fleetwood Mac, The Eagles, The Band, and the like would all be considered as ‘classic rock’ in my eyes. But then you get to ‘The Police’ era of music, which I would argue begins around ‘78 or 79 and ends around ‘92 – what do you call that? Bands like The Police, REM, Sex Pistols, The Ramones, U2, The Cars, Talking Heads, Television, Elvis Costello, The Black Crowes, Journey, Patti Smith, Blondie, Van Halen, Guns ‘n’ Roses, Genesis, Peter Gabriel, The Cure, New Order, David Bowie (ok, he might be classic rock as well…), etc. are just as enjoyable as classic rock artists, but what would a radio station playing such music be labeled as?

To think, we’ll have this same problem in 10 years when people start referring to Pearl Jam as classic rock.

Robert go join marky in his padded cell

catch you later rushfan.

how punk is walking on the moon, every ficking breathe, dododo? let´s create the term… hybrid rock? pete… are you coming to mexico? cheers, abe

Well…When I think of classic rock I think more of Boston or Fleetwood Mac. But that has lasted since I was 16. I’m 32 now so I’ve let 16 years slip away. Perhaps Townsend has done the same with the time period.Classic rock was originally conceived as a radio station broadcasting format and although loosely defined, it generally includes the music from rock bands formed between 1959 and 1990 with a predominant focus on the period between 1970 and 1985 or thereabouts…I hear more police then the Who where I live in NH. But their are only classic rock stations up here so I guess that answers the question. The Who rock…The Police wrote great classic pop/rock/reggae songs.

i can see for miles,

that’s the same thing i thought. those sound nothing like any punk songs i’ve ever heard…ever.

All of that may be true but, lets face it Pete Townsend is a cranky fucking prick. Has he anything nice to say about anyone? The Police are The Police. They deserve credit for not putting out shit, (i.e. several grtst hits cd’s, lousy live recordings, and somewhat lousy solo efforts). Stop being a shit all the time Pete, we love The Who, and we love The Police too. Now, go back to your fucking computer.

Bab, you’re right, and you rock! Definately cutting edge, hip. I soiled myself earlier.

I really don’t consider The Police to be punk. They had some punk tinge to them when they started out, but there is no way that you can call albums like Ghost In The Machine and Synchronicity “punk”. That being said, they are not “classic rock” either because that term is more for the 60’s/70’s era bands, with a different sort of sound than The Police. I’ve always just considered them pop-rock or new wave.

Right on Rusty, I like the way you thought through everything before writing it down. Very edgy, hip, non-conformist dude!

you guys still dont get it…Townsend didn’t coin the term classic rock, Radio did. So the Police dominated the radio from 1980-87. That is considered part of the classic rock period. It doesn’t mean they are a classic rock 70’s band like the Doobie Brothers. The Police were a subgroup of classic rock. But they wrote pop/rock/reggae songs. If you take a giant slab of beef…and within the beef you have choices of filet or top sirloin…the main ingredient is still beef. Unless of course Baba destroys the beef thinking of Pete Townsend…

I’ve got to say – everything that I’ve ever read/heard about Pete Townshend makes him seem like a complete tool.

Oh, and who cares about labels anyway? The arbitrary categorization of a piece of music should not regulate your enjoyment of it.

It’s just music.

police = bottle-blond, blue-eyed reggae

i hate music. it’s got too many notes.

Very cool comments everyone! Edgy, edgy, edgy. My finger has an odd odor to it.

it’s called limpwristapop…

Jill, please don’t be negative. We can all share without hurting people’s feelings. Please say some more cool, edgy, interesting stuff that people like us say.

I think he´s right. But, please Pete, do not cancel your shows in Buenos Aires!!!

I agree with everyone whow said classic rock is 60’s and 70’s although the 90’s revived the classic sound with jam bands which many would consider classic rock, like the Crowes, Gov’t Mule, Ziggy Marley, and Donavon Frankenreiter.
I hope that was hip and non-conformist.

C. Very good! Man you’ve got your stuff together! Say something else!

So what do we call the Who’s new album ‘Modern Classic Crap’? Let my love open my cornhole Pete.

I will now kill myself.

pete townshend knows more about rock n’ roll than everyone in the world put together.

Marky, you are dead to me, and I believe your finger stinks.

Zebra, you don’t have to attack me! I’m not mean or anything. Sometime’s when I have to go #2 I’ll sit on my heel to hold it in. Have you ever done this?

zebra,
lets try to keep everything in here non-conformist alright?

Here here. I’m trying to fit my toe in my bean hole.

As Far as I’m concerned, anything from the late 1960s, 1970s, and early 1980s is considered classic rock. So in response to Townshend, The Police are classic rock because their music is in that time frame.

Townshend is and always has been one of the most intelligent, thoughtful people in rock. When he went to the blues well, he gave the writer credit (something Page was loathe to do unless forced by a court). Townshend has never once said anything other than what he has on his mind. That can be a massive problem, but, unlike so many in both public and private life, the man is acutely aware of his faults.

For anyone to denigrate Townshend guitar, songwriting, organizational or musical skills at this point of his life only demonstrates that person’s need to feel important. The universe does not distribute genius and creativity equally. Cable television and radio proves that every night. When someone of Townsends gifts comes along, they should at the very least, be respected.

As to Townshend’s main point, he is mostly right. The Police are not classic rock. They may have moved into the neighborhood and will eventually take up residency, but they are from the same time as the appearance of punk. Were they punk? No. And if I recall, all of them will easily admit it. Every band wants success so they can to promote themselves. And if NME needed to call the Police “punk” at the time, no one was going to argue.

The truth is that there were only two punk bands, ever. A) The Ramones. Every one else claiming to be punk rode their coattails (Hello 99.9% of people claiming to be punk), or were just flat out crass manipulators of the environment (Hello Mr. Lyndon and friends). B) The Beatles. If going to Hamburg, Germany in the late fifties when you are 16/17 years old and playing rock and roll to drunks while hoped up on speed for three days is not punk, nothing is. Was anyone else doing it at the time. Yes, men in gold lame suits.

I really love when people think that having an opinion is the same thing as intelligence. That definitely includes me. Now, in two weeks everyone please go out and buy the DVD release of Tex Avery’s classic Droopy cartoons, smoke some pot and wait for the world to end. Or at least wait for the doorbell to ring.

Nmar, very good point. I might add that the Police are re-uniting for a tour. Sometime’s I like the smell of myself when I haven’t cleaned “down there” in awhile.

Smarkarrow, holie crud, you are soooo not ordinary. I like your thoughts. Probably the coolest thing I’ve read on here all day. Stick it to “the man”. Say more cool stuff.

Marky, we should meet

I especially liked when you said “he was loath” man that was cool. I currently have my finger in my nose.

hey Nmar,
sugar hill gang was like the first rap group ever and they started in 1979 so are they classic rock?

Yoda, that’s probably not a good idea. I don’t really know you; I’m sure you’re nice though. Do you like weird smells?

Well, if you talk about style, he´s right, they´re not Classic Rock.

But that´s not a negative thing.
I don´t think that Pete meant thet they ain´t a classic band. Just talkin´ about style.

‘Classic’ Rock should be a derogatory term to anyone still fit to wield an axe! What is, the Louvre?! Rock should be about flux, surges and sensations, ungovernable intensities!! Dear, dear, dear…

Hey C. haven’t seen you in awhile, glad you’re back. Let’s “stick it to ‘em”!!

hey marky wuts your favorite band

first off, the police suck…and so shouldn’t be “classic” anything.

Townshend is, or should be, write too in saying that they’re a differnt type of music…

The Police knew how to play when they started and aren’t particularly intersted in emotional/political honesty…so I don’t think you can call them punk.

I think you’d say they’re new wave. And crap, too. But I know I’m in the minority when it comes to the latter.

Hey, they took my comment off, stop it! I like snoop, ramones, & some old cartigans. Rock lives!

Where do I think the line should be drawn on calling something “classic rock”? Who gives a shit?

Classic Rock started withthe Beatles and ended with the Black Crowes, It can be recognized by its interwining of outside musical influences to the genre either through structure or instrumentation, ie the blues, classical or jazz. It also sounds BIG using multiple guitar tracks etc. The Beatles used strings and picollos and pipe organs etc. Led Zeppelin’s Jimmy Page routinely used multiple tracks to get his sound. Genesis’s Abacab is structured like a peice os music from the classical era (Mozart). The Police never did this, they were a simple three piece and played as such. They are the sons of the Ramones and Paul Revere and the Raiders. Both are great and very close cousins

the black crowes were not a classic rock band any more than the rolling stones were a southern blues band. them and blind melon, whom everyone seems to think are also classic rock, are just fans of classic rock who tried to make it. in my opinion though classic rock isnt a genre, its just a term used to define rock music that is now classic.

He’s right,Police are not classic rock. Real rock ended in the early 80s. What followed was the era of boybands,rap,hip hop and heavy mindless metal. A lot of artists don’t play instruments,it’s all done by producers in the studio with drum machines,and very tinny sound.Call it Artificial rock but not classic

I remember the horror I felt when the classic rock station started playing early 80’s garbage like “Jack and Diane”, as one does when something is cannonized that was hated the first time around. If anyone remembers, the classic rock format started as an alternative to anyone that hated 80’s top forty acts infiltrating AOR radio (Duran Duran, etc). While the Police were on the cusp of the late bookend of the era (roughly the dawn of the Beatles through the death of John Lennon is the ultimate signpost of the first era of classic rock, although the Summer of Love through the rise of Saturday Night Fever narrows that a bit (leaving out some key Dylan and British invasion uber-masterworks). The death of the first wave of corporate AOR began in about 82 with the rise of bands like Duran Duran, and rock fans were forced to splinter off. The more adventurous fans turned to the left of the dial (early hardcore and it’s offsprings like Black Flag, Husker Du, The Replacement), the less adventurous started listening to classic rock stations that started as a format around the mid 80’s and played nothing recorded past The Wall. Pop defined the middle ground (Born in the USA for example, had a pop production). Metal defined white working class (rocks biggest base), although it splintered lines as well be it pop (Ratt, Quiet Riot), straight metal (New Wave of British Heavy Metal, Maiden, Priest, Born Again by Black Sabbath) or you were seeking out Motorhead, Venom, Exodus, Slayer and a plethora of thrash.

Do the Police belong really depends how you definite it—they really are a bridge band between the classic era (”Roxanne” to “Message in A Bottle”) to the shit era (Synchronicity). Pete Townsend is staking out a first decade definition of classic rock, and he is right…the Police were part of the new wave deemed by the original classic rockers to be punk. You could say Nick Lowe truly straddled both these eras more literally, but he also was defined at the time as new wave.

Classic Rock starts with Maybelline and ends with Livin On A Prayer! Sounds easy enough right?

i see the police as being a sort of world music/punk rock/reggae band, and stewart copeland was the star musician – but the sum of their parts is what made them so good…

if they all played busy like stewart, it would be a mess, much like rush or the who would be if they had self-indulgent virtuoso lead players instead of the power chord men they have…

it’s a frequency issue; there are only so many of them…

classic rock is defined by crusty aging (and thankfully dying off) hippies. screw them. sick of these rednecks dictating what is and isnt classic.

the 50’s generation stands alone. AOR never touched Chuck Berry, Little Richard, Elvis, Jerry Lee, et. al. They are the “Golden Oldies” era in terms of the radio cannon. Untouchable in terms of criticism prior to the British Invasion.

Townshend’s wrong. There are more classic rock bands than the Who and the Stones. Like the Kinks, the Beatles and King Crimson to name just three others from the 1960’s. Then there are quite a few classic rock bands from the 1970’s like The Police and some more bands who started in the 1980’s. Classic is classic ~ “classic rock” is an absurd phrase because yesterday’s brand-new becomes tomorrow’s classic.

better a dying hippie than the corporate turds like Evansecense or Creed

One more thing then I’ll shut up; on a parallel universe note, rap has the same parallel as rock:
classic initial era marked mostly by singles (Rappers Delight, The Breaks, etc.)
decade of “masters” Run DMC to NWA with The Chronic as the signpost of a more commercial transistional era where it and everything beyond it can be considered less “real” or “the shit” depending on your generation. it all boils down to the individuals ears anyway.

The last couple comments hit the nail right on the head. Classic rock is a totally useless phrase invented to give creedence to the notion that the music of the mid-60’s to late 70’s should somehow be elevated to a higher level than anything else, be it Elvis & Little Richard before it or Motley Crue, Nirvana, or whoever you wish to stick in there after it. I remember listening to radio in the early 90’s, and music from 64-81,2, whatever, was “classic”, while another station had music from 54-73 as “oldies”. Fifteen years or so later the “oldies” station has changed to include a 60-79 grouping, and the once “classic” station now plays 70’s,80’s, and 90’s hard rock and metal. I’m in my early 30’s and Townsend would have been classic by my definition, but the acts I grew up with are classic rock to the average teenager today. There can be no classic, because rock is always moving forward, though admittedly there are times when it moves a wee bit slower than normal.

The Police are more of a classic rock band then The Who are the original linup, so for that guy to make a lame comment like that. Listening to a song about a message in a bottle is more classic then a man wearing a god damn purple dress. Evenescence, Nicklecreed, My Chemical Fallout Boy, Billy Talentless, and 30 seconds to Arctic Monkey shit are all examples of non-classic rock. The Police are CLASSIC ROCK.

It doesn’t bother me if Townsend is referring to “Classic Rock” as it refers to an era, kind of like “Hot Wax” or Punk. There we certainly a lot of bands that got lumped into the punk era out of new york or britain than were anything but. Maybe a better way to say it is that the Police are timeless music or pioneers.

phil

Good point re: The Who being early punk. Iggy is constantly referred to as “The Godfather of Punk”, while New York Dolls and MC5 are referred to as “Protopunk”. Don’t see why The Who shouldn’t be included in that “angry young men” class.

abandonedstation

Hit the nail right on the head dude. Nothing more to be said after that.

rock’n'roll is evolution
classic rock is the protists
the who helped lead to the punk, the heavy metal, everything from the clash to led zep was influenced by the who
the stones influenced other things
so did the beatles
classic rock comesfrom the 50s 60s and early 70s other steps and movements followed which are NOT classic rock but the branches that came off of classic rock

It all depends how many records you sold back in the day. The Police sold lots of records. Therefore, I think they could carry the title “classic rock”. For instance, on any “classic rock” station you are bound to hear songs by The Police, The Who, Led Zeppelin, U2, Guns N Roses, The Rolling Stones, and Pink Floyd. If the “timeframe” had anything to do with it, that would mean we would hear The Velvet Underground, The Ramones, The Clash, The Sex Pistols, Iggy Pop, Big Star, Elvis Costello, Patti Smith, R.E.M., and Talking Heads. It’s all about album sales and how accessible the artist’s sound is to the average listener. The only artist I can even think of that could belong on both of those “lists” is David Bowie. It sucks for me because I wish I could find a station that played both of those groups of artists.

Fuck Pete and The Who. The Who fucking suck balls. The Police could run circles around The Who.

It’s all rock n roll to me.

I have stumbled on stupid messages before, but Marky and his gas coupled with nose picking is the reason that people don’t engage in chat boards. I’ll make sure never to venture into Rollingstone.com again if standards are so low bodily functions are more important than music. This is fantastic. The magazine and the web site once was about classic rock, but that has been replaced by disposable politacal rhetoric and cheap ten year old banter. Grow up. This goes for Rollingstone and Marky.

By the way, Marky is the gensu of “cutting edge” tools

classic rock as a marketing terms starts with the Kinks “You Really Got Me” and the Beatles and ends with the last dying strains of some of the 70’s dinosaurs trying to make a mark in the early 80’s (think BOC’s Fire and Sabbath’s Mob Rules)…once new wave (new romantic) hit c. 83 on MTV the term could no longer be applied to any band. Anything before the Beatles is “50’s rock”, not “classic rock” and bands like the Police aren’t classic rock, even though they wrote in the late 70’s/early 80’s because there are just too many reggae/punk tendencies in their sound.

not classic but they are Hall of Fame. A classic car is defined by its age and how long its been around. Pete was a bit of a punk himself. The Who and the Stones are not even on the same level. The Stoones can still sell out stadiums and the Who can’t even sell out arenas. Don’t get me wrong…I love The Who’s music. Don’t get caught up, Pete.

Better bands than the Police (from that era): The Jam, The Buzzcocks, The Sex Pistols, The Clash, Stiff Little Fingers, The Cure, Echo and the Bunneymen, The Church, The Teardrop Explodes, etc.. Now we can mention the Police.
Pete Townsend is too old and is protecting his piece of the rock pie.

i think the police should just be called 80s music? and then the who can be 60s, 70s, 80s and…current! classic is just a radio term. and since pete was at a radio station…
i wouldn’t really call the police punk but whatever pete. you’re the genuis so call them whatever you want. i’ll go with you because you’re cool. i’m glad you didn’t die before you got old! because then i wouldn’t have seen you a few weeks ago. it was the best concert i’ve ever seen so shut up all you people who think the who are too old or not the who anymore or anything else bad! get stuffed!

Who gives a shit.

They’re great!

i wouldn’t call the Police classic rock or punk. they’re not exactly old enough or mainstream enough to be really classic rock, at least not on the same level as zeppelin, the who, or the stones or any of the ‘classic rock’ bands of the 60s and 70s. i don’t really like giving the title of classic rock to any band that’s been around for less than 30 years or so, even for bands that have classic rock roots, like G N’R, Wolfmother, or JET. Calling them punk is kinda hazy too.

In what world are the Police a punk band?

right on Pete!

“I don’t think anyone can really explain rock ‘n’ roll. Except Pete Townshend, but that’s okay.”
~the fictional Jeff Bebe

Pete can call the shots. It’s okay with me.

Not everything the Who did was worth a second listen. Pete should stick to surfing the web.

Oi, Pete! You really ought to pull that stick out of your butt!

Honestly, this is like high school cliques! “You wore a shirt that went out of style last week, so you’re not allowed to be in the same group as me.” He needs to get over it.

I think anyone who can be called “iconic” and who’s original fans are now sending their kids to college can be “classic”.

Interesting, in that Sting played a starring role in the Quadrophenia movie.

My classic rock buddies and me never liked the Police. We used to call Sting “Stink”.

Watch some early Police videos (like their segment on “The Old Gray Whistle Test”) for proof that they really weren’t very good.

What a jackass! The who sucked, give it a rest!

Why do we have to classify everything? As far as I am concerned there are only two classes and both are subjective to each individuals opinion. Good Music and Bad Music. The Who and The Police would definately both fall into the category of “Good Music” as far as I’m concerned

I mean really! Pinball wizard?!? WTF???

It seems like “Roxanne” was what introduced us to the Police and it was different from everything else that was on the radio in 1978. New Wave is more fitting than Punk I think.

If any group should be classified as classic rock, its Guns N’f**ckin Roses.

GNR are classic crap if you ask me. Axl looks like a freak now.

Well, if the cut off for classic rock is with the Stones and the Who back in the sixties, where the hell does that leave bands like Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, and Aerosmith that came later but are widely considered to be classic rock?

But then again, if Pete Townshend doesn’t have the authority to define what Classic Rock is who does?

How about a new catagory?
“Classic S*#t”

I’d like to be the 1st to nominate The Who’s recent release as the first inductee.

i think its pretty lame that townshend would even consider labeling other music as well as his own. music has only 2 categories its either good music or bad and the police are a very good band.

the jam are mod’s not punk, police are more mod/new wave than punk

What constitutes a classic is derived from what survives fashion and trends and is written into the language. For instance: in the great scheme of things, someone as dependent on the popularity of qualudes and bellbottoms as Eric Clapton becomes far less classic than a band like the Stooges who pick up and carry on like its the perfectly normal thing to do. The Who bore me to tears. In their catalogue, there’s precisely four songs that don’t make me nod off before the end of the first chorus.

Pete is a PRICK!… Elvis, Chuck Berry, Little Richard “They” are (classic rock.) They had alot of “classics”. The Police being “punk” and not “classic”. It depends on “what generation you come from”! Pete was a Mod prick picking fights with Greasers who “kicked his ass”! He holds a grudge against bands like the Sex Pistols, The Police, The Talking Heads etc. He’s just sad he never made it with Susan Anton! Woodstock was created to make money, all those hippies were full of crap! The hippies are the yuppies. People have forgotten. So when Pete talks about how Sting sucks…. He still thinks Michael Jackson is the greatest artist of now!

Ugh, I hate, HATE classic rock.

No, I’m not referring to the actual bands that get called “classic rock” (such as The Beatles, Stones, The Doors, Led Zeppelin, The Who, Cream, etc.), nothing wrong with them. But I detest the fact that just because some lame commercial radio format started up some radio stations called “classic rock” you just made the music regressive.

Nobody in the 1960s referred to The Beatles of The Who as classic rock. It was all new and modern then.

If I had my way, I’d abolish that word. Same thing with “oldies.” I’m not a fan of labelling music in a historical revisionist narrow-minded view that marginalizes the music.

It really comes down to the definition. Does “classic Rock,” refer to the sound of late 60s/early 70’s bands, or does it mean that a band has reached a status that makes it “classic”?

Classic Rock The ERA is from the end of oldies (1955-1968) to the new wave/MTV (1978 – 1985), so I’d say 1969 – 1977) The Police kinda fit in both camps (like The Cars,The Pretenders and Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. I think this was a COMPLIMENT from Pete, He is saying that The Police are part of the NEXT wave. You might say they could end up being The Who of the New Wave era.

I will agree that Classic Rock Artists would have had to start their career in the Classic Rock era (again 1968-1977) So Van Halen would be classic rock, Motely Crue would not. The REO Speedwagon, Rush and Styx, yes, Met At Work and The Fixx, no. (even though all had their biggest hits in the 1980’s)

PS – I have a PHD in Classic Rock Artist Classification, so I know what I am talking about.

This is all just silly,
Classic, Punk, Metal – whatever – it’s not like you are splitting rock from hip-hop. It’s all rock and roll. All the sub genres that have occured (ESPECIALLY recently)are the result of journalists that need a label to describe something because they are to lazy to describe it with their own words, self appointed rock critics that are so insecure they need to be anal about categorical labeling (see Jack Black in Hi-Fidelity) and the marketing guys that need to put everytghing in neat little vertical categories because they think the public is too stupid to buy their music without a moniker pointing out it’s style. Who cares if it’s classic rock or punk? I think some radio douche attached the title classic rock to his play list because he was afraid people weren’t listening anymore. I like the guy that pointed out that 50’s rock is not considered classic rock. What is it then? The White Stripes today will influence bands for twenty years down the line – will they then be “Classic Rock.” A lot of people call the Who post punk – so where does that put P.T.s’ comments? All classic means to me is old and I don’t like to think of songs like Won’t Get Fooled Again as old just great. So Mr. Townsend as much as the Rev luvs ya – please shut the hell up about classic this or punk that – it just makes you sound sour and well, old.

oops – I actually meant – the Who might be considered “proto” punk – not post punk.
My apologies.

If we want to be honest with the terms of the musical styles then we can calmly declare that famous hystorical Rock Bands musically creative ( like Beatles, Doors, Supertramp, Pink Floyd…. ) have been also able to create classic rock songs with extraordinary melodie. In this case the term “classic rock” is absolutely not reorganized as genre for radio stations.

Police? new wave based sound with an evident progression towards Pop.

Who? an interesting balance between polemic rock and the classics. However, WHO came closest to the punk rock of the mid-70s better than them?

I’m with the dude who said that “classic” means old. Everybody else shut the f**k up. By the way, I think the Who sucks.

WHO knows 5 years down . .Police is actually Classic and then, maybe, WHO knows They themselves are IMMORTAL ROCK! Does it matter? As long as music sounds good.

Semantics. Who cares about the arbitrary labels? Pete is right, though, on one thing: the Police are not even close to the Stones and the Who.

Is Pete nuts? The Who rock, but so do the Police and sorry there Petey….but The Police (probably because they only had 5 albums) were more consistent in the quality of material. They are both legendary bands and yes The Police are equal to the Who…like it or not

It’s sad to see someone like Townshend taking cheap shots at fellow musicians, on the other hand I honestly don’t think The Police were the slightest bit worried about how their sound was labeled, they just did their thing and were both innovative and extremely successful, two things that seldom go hand in hand.
Finally, to me anything that gloriously stands the test of time should be considered a classic and by that standard The Police are classic rock, pop, white reggae, new wave and whatever other genre they managed to sneak past us.

First, let’s define the word classic, from Meriam Webster online dicrionary……….. 1 a : serving as a standard of excellence : of recognized value b : TRADITIONAL, ENDURING c : characterized by simple tailored lines in fashion year after year
Using this definition, Pete (who I would rarely disagree with on anything rock,) is wrong. The Police are enduring, they have a standard of excellance, and the point has been made here, that, what is the point anyway??? This is just a classification for radio programming, and as we all know for at least 10 years now radio sux and is irrelevent. It has been destroyed by corporations, mainly Clear Channel and their ilk. What it boils down to, if you like it listen to it, or better yet, if you can, go see it LIVE! That is the true essence of rockandroll, IN THE MOMENT!!!

Between the Who and the Police, I’d choose the latter anytime, anywhere. Partly because the two-thirds-British trio is still my most favorite rock band. I can’t stand the Who–they should stay where they’re supposed to be: some musty corner of that room called the Nineteen Sixties. (And Sting nor Andy Summers nor Stewart Copeland has his hard drive laden with explicitly nude pictures of kids, betcha!)

Police is not rock! I like the Police(and Sting solo) but they’re not rock ok? More of a new wave and ska/reggae with that palm muting.

the police suck.

Police = Prog rock

Classic rock ended when punk overthrew it in ‘76 or sometime around there. Everything with that sound post-’76 is something else — rock, grunge, AOR, post-punk, alternative, or whatever, but let’s let “classic rock” rest in peace.

Townsend seems like an angry guy in general. In the past he has ranted about how all of his rock legend friends are dead. Now he is ranting about a categorization of The Police. Come on Pete, retire quietly and go away.

I don’t believe Townshend’s criticizing the Police as a band. He’s just saying they’re punk (I’d say post-punk rather…) which is not in any way an insult!
He’s only giving his point of view on how to name a genre which is by definition very subjective. Anyone can like or dislike either band whether they’re punk, classic rock, metal or whatever…

Townsend should get his bald head out of his butt and listen to Ghost in the Machine so he can hear pure greatness in songwriting and band execution of those classic hooks.
This album as well as others by the band are made up of Timeless rock n’ roll.
Townjsend such an idiot that he considers punk rock not the same as classic rock when punk rock was a return to the roots of bare bones rock n’ roll as a response to the pompous overproduced corporate sludge that was coming out of the 70’s and killing the soul of rock n’ roll with its rock n’ roll instrumental perfection dominance over rock with a soul.
Pete, you did some great stuff and some would call your band punk too with such tunes like “I can’t explain” and “My Generation” you were for a fact one of the founding fathers of punk so shut the fu%% up!
With all due respect bald headed geek i still love Quadrophenia and Who’s next.
Stratcat

They are there are pre alterna post ska breeze punk-pop. Duh! all you poseurs (notices i wrote that instead of plain ole’ posers!) need to get your facts straight! Every little thing you do is magic, now thats what i call punk rock magic!

Pete Townsend is a bitch. Who the hell cares what he thinks about The Police. I hate how people gaze in awe toward Townsend like he’s some kind of all-knowing rock sage. He’s a musician who mattered once and doens’t so much today, so he’s a little bitter. Granted, The Who are classic in more terms than just rock music. They spoke for a generation and it was a very strong voice. But Endless Wire was lackluster and irrelevant. I think its great that they went out on tour, but that’s all they really needed to do. The Police are currently touring and they have a “classic” catalog of songs to perform live again. In addition, I think a lot of them are more rock than punk, like “Message in a Bottle” and “King of Pain”. That’s pretty much all I have on this subject. It reminded of when Bruce Dickinson made fun of Dave Grohl’s teeth in an article I read a few years back. Who gives a fuck? Play with your respective band and get fucking paid.

definitely agree with ajc.

Townshend’s a very opinionated guy, and as such, his opinions can polarize. I would have to disagree and say that they’re more of a classic rock band at this point. Sure, they started as a punk band, but Pink Floyd started as a blues/R& B band too. You don’t remember them for that, though, do you?

Honestly, I tend to disagree more with RS’s comment that The Police are a “absurdly accomplished, generation defining, canonical rock band”. That seems a little overblown considering the company they’ve just been elevated to – Hello, Beatles? Stones, anyone? I guess WE’RE supposed to be ready to love them again, though, because STING is ready. Oh well, at least Copeland is finally happy.

It doesn’t matter one bit how you classify The Police — they produced great music, period. Many of their songs are classic, regardless of what you want to call it.
I don’t think Pete is criticizing the band. He just thinks their music shouldn’t be classified as classic rock. Let him think what he wants — he’s entitled to that.

Classic rock ended 1976-1977. When punk took over, that’s when Classic Rock ended. Bands that had established themselves prior to ‘76-’77 are Classic Rock. Zeppelin, The Who, Aerosmith, Deep Purple, Fleetwood Mac, etc.

After that you had punk, then new wave. I’d call The Police a new wave band. Not trashy or “punky” enough to be punk (Sex Pistols or Ramones). I’d definitely lump them in with bands like the Cars and the Pretenders.

chronologically, the police is not a classic rock band, they were part of a new wave movement, like the U2, which emerged around the same period, i think.

To jump on what “another mouth” said. I would also classify U2 as “an absurdly accomplished, generation defining, canonical rock band” wayyy before The Police. Just because you can fill a stadium, doesn’t mean your canonical. Jeez, Kenny Chesney can fill a stadium.

Chronologically correct
Substantively irrelevant

I simply don’t buy that “classic rock” as a title can no longer be used. Its an evolutionary term I believe. Once they used the word “classic” you can’t take it back. One generation can’t be the only classic one. I personally feel that “classic rock” stations should expand a bit now even. But I spose it comes down to their target audience. In the end though classic rock didn’t end in any particular year… it may take a while to be coined “classic” but eligibility didn’t end 30 years ago.

Don’t care what Pete Townshend wants to classify, but take it from me after listening to thousands of bands worldwide, The Police made music that remain timeless classics. Forget the word classic rock,it won’t make a difference to The Police, the fans out there and the industry too. These guys are far greater individuals than most rock bands and they proved that within a short period. Bands can learn a lot from them. The remain legends, each one in his own musicianship ! and always !!!

Okay, this whole semantics-fest is useless.

“I think the Police are more of a ska-proto punk New Wave outfit with elements of synthpop and jazz!”

Whatever. Make the definition as long as you want it. The Police aren’t classic rock yet because the music they made still has some semblance of social relevance.

Listening to The Who and the Stones is worthwhile in the same way it’s worthwhile to look at fossils or go through your grandparents’ photo albums.

How about this? We talk about music that’s being made right now and stop slobbering over the greatness of old dusty music just because you got your first kiss to it?

You didn’t listen to Perry Como in the 70’s, why listen to The Rolling Stones now?

The Police suck anyway, so who the fuck cares? The Who hasn’t released a decent tune since Keith Moon died and Pete Townsend is an arrogant, self-important jerk and always has been. Listen to the Circle Jerks and shut up!