Sting Admitted To Howard Stern In 2016 That He Felt "Limited" During His Height With The Police

Being in a band is tough work, and we have seen countless musicians leave their bandmates behind in search of something different. John Frusciante has left the Red Hot Chili Peppers multiple times, Blink-182 spent years without Tom DeLonge in the fold, and plenty of others have dealt with notable members taking a hike. In the 1980s, The Police were a major rock act, but then out of nowhere, Sting decided to pull the plug on the band, and ventured into a solo career. It was obviously a major shock at the time, and in the years since, he's talked about his decision.

Let's hear why Sting left the band, see how he impacted their songwriting, and how he fared as a solo star!

Sting Opened Up About Leaving The Police With Howard Stern

Leaving The Police was a bold choice by Sting, who then went on to achieve solo success. In an interview with Howard Stern back in 2016, the musician talked about ditching his bandmates.

"I needed to spread my wings, you know, I needed a different set of colors to work with…A band has a certain sound, and it's kind of limited," Sting said.

That's a pretty bold claim for Sting, but to be fair, he was the primary songwriter. However, the rest of the band helped bring the songs to life while adding their flair, and The Police simply would not have been the same without their immense contributions.

In a separate interview, Sting added some more details about what he was looking for when he left the band.

"I just wanted a larger Palette. The three-piece is a wonderful vehicle but it's limited; drums, bass and guitar. I think we achieved an amazing amount of stuff in the short time we were together. Very unique, but I just wanted a broader palette because I was song-driven and not necessarily band-driven," the musician said. He also talked about the band's dynamics.

"My frustration was I would have written an album's worth of material but also had to entertain these others songs that were not as good. Explaining to someone why their song isn't working is a bit like saying their girlfriend's ugly. It's a very personal thing. That pain was something I didn't want to go through any more," he added.

Despite what Sting had to say about how things were in the group, there is no denying their success.

The Police Are Considered One Of The Best Bands Ever

In 1978, The Police released their debut album, Outlandos d'Amour, which featured the hit single "Roxanne." With its infectious melody and reggae-inspired rhythm, "Roxanne" propelled the band into the spotlight and laid the groundwork for their meteoric rise to fame. Subsequent albums such as Reggatta de Blanc and Zenyatta Mondatta solidified The Police's status as one of the most exciting acts of the era.

Throughout the early 1980s, The Police dominated the charts with a string of chart-topping singles, including "Message in a Bottle," "Don't Stand So Close to Me," and "Every Breath You Take." Their distinctive sound, characterized by Sting's melodic basslines, Summers' intricate guitar work, and Copeland's dynamic drumming, captivated audiences around the world, turning them into a force to be reckoned with.

The Police's impact on music extends far beyond their chart success, too. Their innovative blend of genres laid the groundwork for the alternative rock movement of the 1980s and beyond.

As we mentioned already, Sting's departure was major news, but instead of falling flat on his face, Sting became an icon thanks to his solo success over the years.

Sting Has Accomplished A Lot As A Solo Star

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Sting's debut solo album, The Dream of the Blue Turtles, marked a departure from The Police's sound, delving into various musical influences. The album was a critical and commercial success, featuring hits like "If You Love Somebody Set Them Free" and "Fortress Around Your Heart." Sting continued to push boundaries with subsequent solo albums, cementing his reputation as a musical innovator. His sophomore effort, ...Nothing Like the Sun, showcased his songwriting prowess with tracks like "Englishman in New York" and "Fragile." The album's fusion of rock, jazz, and world music elements earned widespread acclaim and solidified Sting's status as a solo artist.

All in all, Sting had an unreal run as a solo performer, showing why he's one of the best to ever do it.

In 2003, The Police were put in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame where they belong. Though Sting's departure ended things prematurely, the band left a lasting legacy in the world of rock music.