I’ve been lucky enough to be at Madison Square Garden for some very special nights–NBA playoffs, political conventions and more than a few concerts. But last night’s event was the most special.

It was The Police’s final performance ever–and that alone would make it unforgettable.

But this was much more that that….because The Police were donating the proceeds from this very special concert to Thirteen and our sister station WLIW21.

In a time when too many headlines are about self indulgent artists, this was an event where the artists were giving back–to support arts and culture programming on New York public television.

Before the concert started, WLIW’s President Terrel Cass and I were supposed to go backstage to meet briefly with the band. It took a series of squeezing past the crowds, flashing credentials at checkpoints, and then following our escorts to the photo area. When we finally got there, I had lost Terrel.

Neal Shapiro, Sting, Andy Summers, Stewart Copeland

So that’s why it’s only me in the picture. (I know Terrel did ultimately find his way to his seats because I saw him at the concert).

Backstage, as we waited for the band, I talked to Mayor Bloomberg, who usually has so many evening events on his calendar that he has to hop from venue to venue. But tonight, he was making a rare exception–he and Diana Taylor were going to stay for the entire concert.

When Sting, Andy Summers and Stewart Copeland walked in, I was struck by how relaxed they were…not just for any concert but for their last concert together. They laughed, kidded with each other were genuinely nice with everyone.

There were a few moments that had the “last time” flavor. Kevin Mazur, who has been photographing their LA and NY shows, was taking group pictures and The Police pulled him into a photo with them. We were also joined by promoting genius Jay Coleman (the main architect of our association with this concert) and Public Relations icon/pioneer Ken Sunshine. Somewhere nearby was President of Radio City Entertainment Jay Marciano. All three of these gentlemen had so much to do with making the concert a sold-out success.

In the crowded quarters backstage, I caught glimpses of two people running back and forth with earpieces and small microphones and I wondered if they were part of the band’s security detail, or members of the Garden’s crack events staff. That is, until I got closer and realized they both worked for us. Laura Savini, VP of Marketing and Communications for WLIW and Ranfi Rivera, Deputy General Counsel, Program Business Affairs for Thirteen, worked tirelessly on this event from the moment we announced it, and by that night they looked as if they had been handling rock concerts their entire lives.

When we were done backstage and I made my way to the floor, the crowd was already rockin’ with the B-52’s. Within a few feet of my seats, some recognizable fans of The Police: James Gandolfini, Bruce Springsteen, Deborah Harry and Leonardo Dicaprio. (I’m sure they’re also fans of public television).

Michael Bloomberg, Diana Taylor, Juju Chang, Neal Shapiro

As the concert began, you could sense that everyone knew they were part of an unforgettable event. Sting told the crowd of 19,000 that we were the last audience they would play for…the last audience of more than 3.7 million who had watch this tour, which had consisted of 150 performances.

On one side of me was Pat Harrison, President of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, who had more energy than many of the younger folks who were in our section. On the other side of me was a beautiful woman. She knew the lyrics to every song. She told me that Stewart Copeland was the brother of legendary agent Ian Copeland. I told her that I had talked to the Police personally and they told me what a grind the concert tour had been.

At the end of the concert, I looked in her eyes and asked if she wanted to come home with me …and she said yes. Why? Perhaps it was my personal charm, the euphoria of the evening, or the fact that we’ve been married for 13 years.

The concert was promoted under our banner of “Public Television Rocks” and we want to make sure this is not the end but the beginning of finding more ways to embrace the greatest talents of rock music..on the air and in other ways. Last night’s concert may have been The Police’s last ever but it’s not the last for us. We’ll be back with more.

Photo credit: Joe Sinnott

Auction, Wave 2: Begins August 4th at 7:00pm (ET)- August 14th.
The second wave of the auction will feature a complete set of The Police’s autographed instruments including: Sting’s Signature Bass; Sting’s Sennheiser Microphone and Stand (used during the 2007/2008 world Police tour); Andy’s Signature Fender Telecaster; plus Stewart’s Tama Star Drum Set (played at 2007 GRAMMY Awards).

Thirteen/WNET and WLIW21 would like to thank The Police, The B-52s, Fender, Tama, and Sennheiser for their generosity on behalf of Public Television Rocks!

About Thirteen/WNET and WLIW21: The Police have chosen to support Thirteen/WNET (thirteen.org) and WLIW21 (wliw.org) in recognition of their major contributions to art, music, and culture both nationally and in New York City. Not only do these stations actively partner with some of the world’s greatest artists, but they also inspire viewers by producing outstanding and unforgettable events, both on the air and in the community. Viewer support empowers Thirteen/WNET and WLIW21 to create such diverse offerings as Public Television Rocks!, Great Performances, Live from Lincoln Center, American Masters, Visions, and Sunday Arts for viewers who value programming distinguished by intelligence, integrity, inspiration, and innovation.

This auction for Public Television Rocks! is being managed by Kompolt Online Auction Agency (www.kompolt.com).

WLIW21 New York (website)
Synchronicity broadcasts:
Wednesday, July 30 at 8 pm.

WNET/Thirteen (website)
Synchronicity broadcasts:
Thursday, July 31st at 8 pm.

Sting (bass/vocals), Stewart Copeland (drums) and Andy Summers (guitar) perform The Police’s biggest hits during the Synchronicity World Tour. Filmed at the Omni in Atlanta, Georgia in November 1983, the concert was part of the band’s then-final tour in support of their No. 1 album Synchronicity. The power-packed set includes hits “Message in a Bottle,” “Every Breath You Take,” “King of Pain,” “Wrapped Around Your Finger,” “Walking on the Moon” and “Can’t Stand Losing You.” Ruling the airwaves worldwide, The Police were at the height of their success and finally embraced the bombast of arena rock with an augmented stage show featuring professionally designed stage outfits, intricate lighting schemes and backing vocalists. Witness this historic moment before The Police’s last concert ever, August 7, 2008 at Madison Square Garden, to benefit New York’s public television stations WLIW21 and Thirteen/WNET. The two-hour broadcast will also feature recent band interviews and additional classic concert footage.

During the broadcast, viewers will have the opportunity to get tickets to The Police’s last concert ever, featuring special guests The B-52s.

VIP, SOUND CHECK PARTY & LIMITED TICKETS STILL AVAILABLE

The Sound Check Party offers the once-in-a-lifetime experience of VIP access to The Police’s sound check for their last concert ever, a pair of floor seat tickets, pre-concert dinner and cocktails in a private party room and a souvenir gift. A few select guests will also be invited to join the band on stage during sound check. VIP tickets include a pair of floor seat tickets, a pre-concert private reception with food and drinks and a souvenir gift. Limited tickets at other designated gift levels are still available to supporters of WLIW21 and Thirteen as thank-you gifts for contributions.

THE POLICE: SYNCHRONICITY CONCERT Song List
“Synchronicity I”
“Message in a Bottle”
“Walking on the Moon”
“Wrapped Around Your Finger”
“Hole in My Life”
“King of Pain”
“One World”
“De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da”
“Every Breath You Take”
“Can’t Stand Losing You”
“So Lonely”

The Police on the Web:
Specially-produced video, photos, tour dates, and more at the official site of the Police.

The Police’s Myspace:
Video, streaming music, links to their charities, tour info, friend circle.

The Police’s Facebook:
what it says!

The Police’s Email Mailing List:
Be on top of all Official The Police news and info, join their mailing list.

Is a Police song ‘your song’? Did their music mark an important event for you that you’ll never forget?

Did you get to see them back in 1979 at the Whisky a Go Go or in 1978 at CBGB (or anywhere else, of course)?

Share any stories of how they’ve affected your life here, in the comments….