The Police
ListenFall Out · 1977
The Police — “Fall Out,” the 1977 single recording.
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1977 · Illegal Records
Fall Out / Nothing Achieving
The Police began with a record they helped carry into shops themselves. Recorded cheaply in one afternoon, “Fall Out” catches Sting, Stewart Copeland and original guitarist Henry Padovani in the London punk scene of 1977. [2]
| Accession | OMMA-0032 |
|---|---|
| Artist | The Police |
| Release | 1977 · United Kingdom |
| Label | Illegal Records · IL 001 |
| Format | 7-inch vinyl single · 45 rpm |
| Issue | First red-label, solid-centre issue |
| Runouts | Not documented |
| Recorded grade | NM · NM picture sleeve |
Release history and significance
Padovani had barely arrived in London when Copeland took him to see the Damned at the Roxy. The next day he cut his hair and shaved his beard; soon he was in a band with Copeland and a bass player newly arrived from Newcastle, Sting. [2]
Their friend Paul Mulligan paid for the session at Bazza’s Studios. Padovani recalled that Illegal Records was created to release the single, its name a joke on the band’s own. After recording, they had sleeves printed and took the record to shops. Copeland played guitar as well as drums. [2]
Released in May 1977, the single pairs Copeland’s “Fall Out” with “Nothing Achieving,” written with his brother Ian. It is the band’s debut single and its released document of the original trio, before Andy Summers became the permanent guitarist. “Fall Out” eventually entered the UK singles chart in November 1979, reaching number 47. [1] [2] [3]
Market context
Discogs sales for this solid-centre red-label edition range from US$13.50 to US$540.54, with a median of US$45.74, as listed on 13 September 2026. The latest recorded sale was 16 July 2026. [1]
Physical Description
Black vinyl with red Illegal Records labels, a solid centre and the original black-and-white picture sleeve. The roughly drawn “ILLEGAL” lettering, italic “Records” and “Made In England” identify the early label design. Later red-label editions alter the typography and manufacturing wording. [1]
Condition
Both record and picture sleeve are graded Near Mint, with minimal handling or play wear recorded.
Provenance
Acquired from Discogs seller Trashpalace on 9 August 2025.
Sources
- Discogs, The Police — Fall Out / Nothing Achieving, release 3097171. Original red-label solid-centre edition, credits and sales history.
- Andrew Daly interviews Henry Padovani, Guitar World, 14 December 2023. First-person account of the band’s formation and the recording and distribution of its first single.
- Official Charts, Fall Out. November–December 1979 chart run and number 47 peak.
Catalogue text reviewed 13 September 2026.