Henry Padovani

Henry (or Henri) Padovani (born 14 October 1952) is a French musician noted for being the original guitarist of English rock band the Police. He was a member of the band from January to August 1977 and was replaced by Andy Summers, who had originally been part of the band as a second guitarist. Following his departure from the band, Padovani was handed the rhythm guitar spot with Wayne County & the Electric Chairs, before forming his own band, the Flying Padovanis.

However, when he told Copeland of his plans, Copeland petitioned him to join his own new band, the Police. Copeland was already under the impression that he had convinced singer and bassist Sting to join, but despite heavy use of word-of-mouth and advertisements in musical publications, Padovani was the only guitarist he could find who was interested in punk and had actual playing ability.

After taking a two-month vacation in Corsica, Padovani returned to London and was immediately handed the rhythm guitar spot with Wayne County & the Electric Chairs, who at the time were far better known than the Police. During this period, Padovani and Haller took turns on lead vocals.

New directions The collaboration among Padovani, Haller, and Johnson did not end with the breakup of the Electric Chairs. In 1980, they put together a band called The Mystere Five's, which consisted of the three of them as well as Chris Reeves, who played guitar. Marc "Frenchie" Gloder, who had no performance role in the band but wrote all the lyrics, designed the sleeves to their records, and owned the record label. All the members except Gloder did lead vocals. The group used a deliberately anonymous image, never crediting individual members. Except for a cover of "Shake Some Action" by Flamin' Groovies, all their songs were credited as being written and produced by the group as a whole.

The Mystere Five's recorded two indie singles that were released in 1980, "Shake Some Action" b/w "No Message" and "Never Say Thank You" b/w "Heart Rules the Head". The Flying Padovanis recorded an EP, Font L'Enfer, and an album, They Call Them Crazy, before disbanding at the end of 1987. In 1988, Henri took part in the recording of Johnny Thunders and Patti Palladin's Copy Cats album which also featured Jayne County on backing vocals. In 1988, Miles Copeland III, The Police's manager, and elder brother of Stewart Copeland, appointed Padovani as Vice President of IRS Records, a role he performed until 1994 while also managing the Italian musician Zucchero.

After a five-year sabbatical, Padovani returned to guitar playing. In 1998 he contributed to a Johnny Thunders tribute album by performing "Cosa Nostra". He recorded a solo album, À croire que c'était pour la vie, in 2007 with record producer Yves Aouizerate. The album was sung in French, and both Stewart Copeland and Sting played on the track "Welcome Home", representing the first time that the original members of the Police had recorded together since "Fall Out". Manu Katché, Steve Hunter, Glen Matlock and Chris Musto (of the Flying Padovanis) also appeared on the album.

Padovani also wrote the score for the films La Vie comme elle va (2005) and Ici Najac, à vous la Terre (2006 Cannes Film Festival official selection). In 2006 he published his autobiography Secret Police Man, recounting episodes of his lifestyle in the late 1970s and the early days of the Police.

Padovani was a judge for the spring 2011 season of X Factor in France, on the television channel M6.

In 2017 he produced and starred in the rockumentary Rock'n'roll... Of Corse!. It features contributions by Sting, Stewart Copeland, Andy Summers, Topper Headon, Mick Jones, Glen Matlock and Kim Wilde among others. The film was directed by Lionel Guedj and Stephane Bebert.

Band reunions The Flying Padovanis reformed in 2007 for an album made of old and new material, Three for Trouble released in May that year, followed by a tour which included an appearance at the Fuji rock festival in Japan. The band now plays regular dates in London and France.

During the 2007 The Police Reunion Tour, Padovani joined the band on stage for the final encore of their show in Paris on 29 September. The Police as a four-piece played "Next to You" from the band's first album Outlandos d'Amour.

Discography Studio albums As a solo artist À croire que c'était pour la vie – (2007) I Love Today – (2016) Live in Fericy – (2019) Corsican Gumbo – (2022)

With the Flying Padovanis Font L'Enfer – (1982) They Call Them Crazy – (1987) Three for Trouble – (2007) Live at the 100 Club – (2008)

With Wayne County & the Electric Chairs Storm the Gates of Heaven – (1978) Things Your Mother Never Told You – (1979)

With the Police Message in a Box: The Complete Recordings (2003) The Police (2007) (#3 UK Albums; #11 US Billboard 200)

Singles As a solo artist "La Vie Comme Elle Va"/"A Vous La Terre" (2004) "Welcome Home" (Radio version)/"Welcome Home" (Album version) (2006)

With the Flying Padovanis "Western Pasta"/"Vas Plus Haut" – (1981)

With the Police "Fall Out"/"Nothing Achieving" – (1977) (#47 UK Singles)

With Wayne County & the Electric Chairs "Trying to Get on the Radio"/"Evil Minded Momma" (1978) "So Many Ways"/"J'Attend Les Marines" – (1979)

With the Mystere Five's "Never Say Thank You"/Heart Rules the Head" (1980) "No Message"/"Shake Some Action" (1980)

Compilation albums I Only Play R&R for Kids to Dance: Tribute to Johnny Thunder – (1998)

Videography Reggatta de Blanc (2007) Rock'n Roll... Of Corse! (2017)