Historical Figure
Sting
b. 1951
British musician (born 1951)
What do you want Sting to say?
Sign up free to hear it.
Hear the original recording — “Interview on Transcendental Meditation” (2015) →
Talk to Sting
Have a conversation with this historical figure through AI
Biography
Gordon Matthew Thomas Sumner, known as Sting, is an English musician and actor. He was the frontman, principal songwriter and bassist for the rock band the Police from 1977 until their break-up in 1986. He launched a solo career in 1985 and has included elements of rock, jazz, reggae, classical, new-age, and worldbeat in his music.
Timeline
The story of Sting, told in moments.
Born Gordon Matthew Thomas Sumner in Wallsend, Northumberland. His father delivered milk. Got the nickname "Sting" from a black and yellow striped sweater he wore constantly. Worked as a teacher and ditch digger before music.
Formed the Police with Stewart Copeland and Andy Summers. Their first album cost 1,500 pounds to record. Within two years they were one of the biggest bands in the world. Bleached his hair blond for a chewing gum commercial and kept it.
"Every Breath You Take" spent eight weeks at number one. Most people think it's a love song. Sting has said it's about surveillance and obsession. "I think it's a nasty little song, really."
Launched his solo career with The Dream of the Blue Turtles. Brought in jazz musicians, which alienated some Police fans. The album went triple platinum anyway. The Police never officially broke up.
Reunited the Police for a world tour that grossed $340 million. It was the third-highest-grossing tour in history at the time. The three members still didn't get along. They haven't toured together since.
In Their Own Words (14)
We must not lose this battle.
Said about the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, quoted in "Sting warns during Warsaw concert of threats to democracy", ABC News, 31 July 2022, 2022
Mother chants her litany of boredom and frustration But we know all her suicides are fake Daddy only stares into the distance There's only so much more that he can take Many miles away something crawls from the slime At the bottom of a dark Scottish lake
"Synchronicity II", 1983
Daddy grips the wheel and stares alone into the distance He knows that something somewhere has to break He sees the family home now, looming in his headlights The pain upstairs that makes his eyeballs ache Many miles away there's a shadow on the door Of a cottage on the shore Of a dark Scottish lake
"Synchronicity II", 1983
With one breath, with one flow You will know Synchronicity A sleep trance, a dream dance, A shared romance Synchronicity A connecting principle Linked to the invisible Almost imperceptible Something inexpressible
"Synchronicity I", 1983
If we share this nightmare Then we can dream Spiritus mundi If you act as you think The missing link Synchronicity
"Synchronicity I", 1983
Artifacts (15)
Death loses its sting
http://repository.mcf-archives.gr/vocabularies/kakoyannis_creator/index.php?tema=3363
Open country; a comedy with a sting (IA opencountrycomed00hewl)
Hewlett, Maurice Henry, 1861-1923
Open country - a comedy with a sting (IA opencountrycomed00hewlrich)
Hewlett, Maurice Henry, 1861-1923
More from the Modern
Explore what happened on the days that shaped Sting's life. Today In History connects historical figures with the events, births, and deaths that defined their era. Browse all historical figures or explore today's events.