Last Exit (British band)

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This article is about the British band, Last Exit, for the free jazz supergroup and other uses, see the page Last Exit

The British jazz fusion band Last Exit was formed in Newcastle upon Tyne England in 1974, and is best remembered as the group Sting was in before finding stardom with The Police. The band name came from the book Last Exit to Brooklyn.

Last Exit was comprised of drummer Ronnie Pearson (also of the Phoenix Jazzmen), guitarists [[John Hedley & then Tery Ellis], keyboardist Gerry Richardson, and bassist and singer Sting.

The band was a leading act around Newcastle for several years. The band emulatd the rock-jazz-fusion style of "Return to Forever" and were 'ahead of their time' with their skillful solos and driving beat. They released a single, and in 1976, Last Exit recorded some demos in the Pathway Studios in London. The demo made little impact, but did impress Virgin Records head Richard Branson, who helped Sting's early career before their friendship soured.

In 1977, Sting moved to London to accelerate his musical career. That same year, Last Exit play their last concert in Newcastle.

More information can be found in the Sting Autobiography Broken Music