Sting
After fronting The Police through the band's late-1970s and early-1980s peak, Sting launched a solo career with 1985's jazz-inflected 'The Dream of the Blue Turtles.' The album reached number two on the US Billboard 200 and established him as a sophisticated solo artist far beyond his rock origins.
From Wallsend to The Police
Born Gordon Sumner in 1951 in Wallsend, England, he worked as a teacher before music. In 1977 he co-founded The Police, becoming the band's frontman, principal songwriter and bassist.
Solo Reinvention
Launching a solo career in 1985, Sting assembled jazz musicians for 'The Dream of the Blue Turtles' and went on to blend rock, jazz, reggae and classical across a celebrated catalog of albums.
Enduring Renaissance Man
A 17-time Grammy winner, Sting has explored Broadway, orchestral works and lute music. He is also widely known for environmental and human-rights activism, including co-founding the Rainforest Foundation.
Career Timeline
- 1951Born Gordon Sumner on October 2 in Wallsend, England
- 1977Co-founds The Police as bassist and singer
- 1983The Police release 'Synchronicity'
- 1985Solo debut 'The Dream of the Blue Turtles'
- 1987Releases album '...Nothing Like the Sun'
- 1993'Ten Summoner's Tales' yields major hits
- 1994'If I Ever Lose My Faith in You' wins Grammy
- 2003Inducted into Rock Hall with The Police
- 2007The Police reunite for world tour
- 2010Releases orchestral album 'Symphonicities'
- 2014Broadway musical 'The Last Ship' opens
Biggest Hits
- His nickname 'Sting' came from a black-and-yellow striped sweater that made a bandleader say he looked like a wasp.
- Before music, he worked as a schoolteacher in northeast England.
Portrait: David Shankbone · CC BY 3.0 · via Wikimedia Commons