The Police kick off reunion tour

Updated 21.12 Tue May 29 2007

Reunited rockers The Police have kicked off their first world tour in more than 20 years.

Opening in Vancouver, Canada at the GM Place, frontman Sting, guitarist Andy Summers and drummer Stewart Copeland delivered classics like Message in a Bottle and Roxanne.

The band broke up in 1984 amid clashing egos after the last date of their Synchronicity world tour in Australia

Sting joked to the crowd: "Since we haven't been together in 25 years, I'd like to introduce the band. Andy, this is Stewart."

Famous fans in the 20,000-strong audience included actress Penelope Cruz, and Pearl Jam rock singer Eddie Vedder.

The group played a preview show to 4,000 members of their fanclub at the same venue the night before.

The band broke up in 1984 amid clashing egos after the last date of their Synchronicity world tour in Australia. But they briefly reunited for a handful of dates in 1986.

Sting went on to enjoy a successful solo career while Copeland focused on composing for film and television and Summers explored his jazz roots with various projects.

The band's world tour is scheduled to end early next year, following two North American legs, a European tour, and dates throughout Latin America, Japan, Australia and New Zealand.

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