Recorded on 9/16/85, this was my first mixtape (that I have found). It was clear I was heavy in my Police faze and all things related. Police drummer Stewart Copeland recorded as Klark Kent, playing all the instruments and singing on what’s considered his solo debut album released in 1980.

The Police were gaining a huge world fanbase so Copeland did not want to disrupt that, which explains the reasoning behind using the Klark Kent pseudonym. “Don’t Care” was a modest hit while the deeper cut “Office Girls” is just a cool tune. “Fallout” is included here, as well. The Police’s very first single released in 1977 did not even include guitarist Andy Summers, but Corsican Henry Padovani. Summers joined the trio and the group was a quartet for a very short time until it became clear that Padovani was just not needed. Summers was a classically-trained guitarist, and along with the punk stylings of Copeland and the jazz background of Sting, the trio became a fresh and unique contributor to the punk/new wave era.

In the video for “Don’t Care” on BBC‘s program Top of the Pops, Copeland continued to be secretive with sunglasses and face paint. His masked backup band included Sting on bass and Andy Summers (as Nixon) on guitar.

Side B of the mixtape, recorded one week later, includes the Sting solo song “Another Day” which was initially meant to be track 11 on his 1985 debut solo The Dream of the Blue Turtles but missed the cut. It was, however, the B-side of his first single, “If You Love Somebody Set Them Free.” Side A closes out with “The Bed’s Too Big Without You.” One more Police-inspired entry is “Up the Junction” by Squeeze. The song was included in the motion picture soundtrack from Brimstone & Treacle which starred Sting.

The remainder of the tape includes more faves the mid-80s. One can never go wrong with the English Beat or General Public, as well as some Joe Jackson, Style Council, R.E.M., and deep cuts from the Cars and David Bowie.

These very same artists gathered on this tape 39 years ago continue to make my toes tap. I went to college with my collection of Journey, AC/DC, REO Speedwagon, and Rush only to see my musical tastes evolve and be changed forever. Thankfully.

So, far, 10 mixtapes have been found. If I made you one over the course of the past four decades, please send me a pic of the songs so I can add them! And remember, 80s mixtapes are the 21st century playlists!

#mixtapesforlife