Sting (musician)

Sting (musician)
source
Name	Sting
Caption	Sting (musician) in 2018
Birth name	Gordon Matthew Thomas Sumner
Birth date	October 2, 1951
Birth place	Wallsend, Tyne and Wear, England
Occupation	Musician, singer, songwriter, actor
Instrument	Vocals, bass guitar, guitar, keyboards
Years active	1971–present
Labels	A&M Records, Deutsche Grammophon, Universal Music Group

Sting (musician) is a renowned British musician, singer, songwriter, and actor, best known as the lead singer and bassist of the rock music band The Police. With a career spanning over four decades, he has collaborated with numerous artists, including Eric Clapton, Bryan Adams, and Sheryl Crow. His music often incorporates elements of jazz, reggae, and classical music, as seen in his work with the London Symphony Orchestra and Dominic Miller. He has also performed at various music festivals, such as Live Aid and Live 8, alongside Queen, U2, and Pink Floyd.

Early life and career

Sting was born Gordon Matthew Thomas Sumner in Wallsend, Tyne and Wear, England, to Audrey Sumner and Ernest Sumner. He grew up in a musical family and was influenced by artists such as The Beatles, Bob Dylan, and Jimi Hendrix. He attended St. Cuthbert's High School and later studied at the University of Warwick and Northern Counties College of Education. Before forming The Police, he played with the Phoenix Jazzmen and Last Exit, and also worked as a teacher at St. Paul's First School in Cramlington. He has cited Miles Davis, John Coltrane, and Charlie Parker as significant influences on his early music career.

Music career

As the lead singer and bassist of The Police, Sting achieved immense success with hits like Roxanne, Message in a Bottle, and Every Breath You Take. The band's unique sound, which blended punk rock, reggae, and new wave music, was shaped by the contributions of Andy Summers and Stewart Copeland. After The Police disbanded, Sting launched a successful solo career, releasing albums such as The Dream of the Blue Turtles, Nothing Like the Sun, and Ten Summoner's Tales. He has collaborated with a wide range of artists, including Branford Marsalis, Kenny Kirkland, and Vinnie Colaiuta, and has performed at various venues, such as Madison Square Garden, Wembley Stadium, and the Royal Albert Hall.

Personal life

Sting has been married twice, first to Frances Tomelty and then to Trudie Styler, with whom he has four children. He is a longtime resident of Tuscany, Italy, and owns a vineyard, Il Palagio, which produces Chianti and Olive oil. He is also a co-owner of the Rainforest Fund, a charitable organization that supports indigenous peoples and environmental conservation. Sting has been involved in various human rights and environmental activism efforts, including the Amnesty International and Greenpeace campaigns, and has worked with Nelson Mandela, Desmond Tutu, and Dalai Lama.

Discography

Sting's solo discography includes The Dream of the Blue Turtles (1985), Nothing Like the Sun (1987), The Soul Cages (1991), Ten Summoner's Tales (1993), Mercury Falling (1996), Brand New Day (1999), Sacred Love (2003), Songs from the Labyrinth (2006), If on a Winter's Night... (2009), and The Last Ship (2013). With The Police, he released Outlandos d'Amour (1978), Reggatta de Blanc (1979), Zenyatta Mondatta (1980), Ghost in the Machine (1981), and Synchronicity (1983). He has also released several live albums, including Bring on the Night (1986) and All This Time (2001), and has collaborated with other artists on albums such as The Living Sea (1995) and Symphonicities (2010).

Awards and recognition

Throughout his career, Sting has received numerous awards and nominations, including multiple Grammy Awards, American Music Awards, and Brit Awards. He has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of The Police and has received a Kennedy Center Honor for his contributions to the arts. He has also been recognized for his philanthropic work, receiving the Polar Music Prize and the Music for Life award. Sting has performed at various high-profile events, including the Olympic Games and the Nobel Peace Prize Concert, and has worked with UNICEF, Red Cross, and Oxfam on various charitable initiatives.

Philanthropy

Sting is a dedicated philanthropist, supporting a wide range of causes, including human rights, environmental conservation, and education. He has worked with organizations such as Amnesty International, Greenpeace, and the Rainforest Fund, which he co-founded with his wife, Trudie Styler. He has also supported various charitable initiatives, including the Live Aid and Live 8 concerts, and has performed at benefit events for UNICEF, Red Cross, and Oxfam. Sting has been recognized for his philanthropic work, receiving the Polar Music Prize and the Music for Life award, and has been named a Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF and a Messenger of Peace for the United Nations. He has also worked with Bill Gates, Bono, and Richard Branson on various charitable projects, including the (Product) Red campaign and the Carbon War Room.

Category:British musicians