# Sting

> British musician (born 1951)

**Wikidata**: [Q483203](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q483203)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sting_(musician))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/sting

## Summary
Sting (born Gordon Matthew Thomas Sumner in 1951) is a British musician, singer-songwriter, and actor renowned for his role as the frontman and bassist of the rock band The Police and for his extensive solo career. He has contributed to a wide array of musical genres, including rock, new wave, reggae, jazz, and pop, releasing notable works such as "Fields of Gold" and "Englishman in New York." Throughout his career, he has received numerous accolades, including Grammy Awards, a Primetime Emmy Award, and the title of Commander of the Order of the British Empire.

## Biography
- **Born:** October 2, 1951
- **Nationality:** British (United Kingdom)
- **Education:** University of Warwick, Northumbria University
- **Known for:** Founding member of The Police; solo music career; acting; humanitarian work
- **Employer(s):** A&M Records, Deutsche Grammophon, Universal Music Group
- **Field(s):** Music (rock, pop, new wave, reggae, jazz, new age, blue-eyed soul), Film, Education

## Contributions
- **The Police:** Served as a founding member and driving force of the English rock band The Police, which formed in January 1977. The band is associated with the rock and new wave genres.
- **Strontium 90:** Was a member of the British band Strontium 90, which also formed in 1977.
- **Solo Music Career:** Launched a solo career beginning in 1971, producing music across genres such as pop, jazz, new age, and blue-eyed soul. Notable solo songs include "Englishman in New York" (1988) and "Fields of Gold" (1993).
- **Record Production:** Worked as a record producer, overseeing the recording of music.
- **Acting:** Engaged in work as a film actor, appearing in dramatic or comic productions.
- **Education:** Worked as a school teacher and teacher before achieving full-time musical success.

## FAQs
**What is Sting's real name?**
Sting's birth name is Gordon Matthew Thomas Sumner, though he has also used aliases such as Gordon Sumner and G.M. Sumner.

**What bands was Sting a member of?**
Sting was a member of the English rock band The Police, formed in 1977, and the British band Strontium 90, which also formed in 1977.

**What are some of Sting's most famous songs?**
Two of his most recognized solo songs are "Englishman in New York," released in 1988, and "Fields of Gold," released in 1993.

**Which record labels has Sting worked with?**
He has been associated with major labels including A&M Records, Deutsche Grammophon, and Universal Music Group.

**What awards has Sting won?**
Sting has received numerous awards, including the Commander of the Order of the British Empire, the Primetime Emmy Award, the Polar Music Prize, Kennedy Center Honors, and multiple Grammy Awards, such as Song of the Year and Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal.

**Did Sting have a career before music?**
Yes, before his music career took off, he worked as a teacher and school teacher.

## Why They Matter
Sting holds a significant place in music history for his role in defining the sound of the late 1970s and 1980s through The Police, a band that blended rock, new wave, and reggae. His transition to a solo career demonstrated versatility, allowing him to explore and succeed in diverse genres ranging from jazz to pop to new age music. Beyond his musical output, his work as a humanitarian and an actor has broadened his cultural impact. His recognition by institutions like the Kennedy Center and the British Empire underscores his lasting influence on the arts and global culture. Additionally, his legacy extends into biology, with the amphibian species *Dendropsophus stingi* named in his honor.

## Notable For
- **Music Groups:** Founding member of The Police (inception 1977) and member of Strontium 90 (inception 1977).
- **Solo Hits:** Released "Englishman in New York" (1988) and "Fields of Gold" (1993).
- **Musical Genres:** Proficient in rock, new wave, pop, reggae, jazz, new age music, and blue-eyed soul.
- **Awards:** Recipient of the Commander of the Order of the British Empire, Primetime Emmy Award, Polar Music Prize, Kennedy Center Honors, and MusiCares Person of the Year.
- **Grammy Awards:** Won the Grammy Award for Song of the Year and the Grammy Award for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal.
- **Other Honors:** Received the Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres, the David Angell Humanitarian Award, and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
- **Record Labels:** Associated with A&M Records, Deutsche Grammophon, and Universal Music Group.
- **Education:** Attended the University of Warwick and Northumbria University.
- **Species:** The amphibian species *Dendropsophus stingi* is named after him.

## Body

### Early Life and Education
Born Gordon Matthew Thomas Sumner on October 2, 1951, Sting is a British national. He pursued higher education at the University of Warwick and Northumbria University. Before his rise to fame in the music industry, he worked as a teacher, specifically as a school teacher, and as a general teacher, helping others acquire knowledge and competences.

### Musical Career with The Police
Sting's professional music career began in 1971. He gained prominence as a member of the British band Strontium 90, which formed in 1977. That same year, he became a founding member of The Police, an English rock band. As the bassist and lead singer for The Police, he contributed to the band's success in the rock and new wave genres. The band's inception date is recorded as January 1, 1977.

### Solo Career and Musical Style
Following his tenure with The Police, Sting established a distinct solo career characterized by a blend of musical styles. His work encompasses genres such as pop music, jazz, reggae, new age music, and blue-eyed soul. As a singer-songwriter, he composes and sings his own material. He is also recognized as a composer, guitarist, and bassist. Two of his most notable solo compositions are "Englishman in New York," released in 1988, and "Fields of Gold," released in 1993.

### Record Labels and Production
Throughout his career, Sting has been affiliated with major record labels. He has worked with A&M Records, an American record label founded in 1962; Deutsche Grammophon, a prestigious German classical music label founded in 1898; and Universal Music Group, a Dutch-American music corporation. In addition to performing, he has taken on the role of a record producer, overseeing the management of music recordings.

### Acting and Other Occupations
Sting has expanded his professional portfolio beyond music. He has worked as an actor, specifically a film actor, participating in dramatic or comic productions for film, television, theatre, or radio. His diverse occupations also include work as a musician and singer.

### Awards and Recognition
Sting has received extensive recognition for his contributions to music and society. His accolades include:
* **Commander of the Order of the British Empire:** A rank within the British honors system.
* **Primetime Emmy Award:** An accolade from the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.
* **Polar Music Prize:** An award recognizing significant achievements in music.
* **Kennedy Center Honors:** An annual American honor for contributions to the performing arts.
* **MusiCares Person of the Year:** An award presented by the Recording Academy.
* **David Angell Humanitarian Award:** Recognition for his humanitarian efforts.
* **Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres:** A rank within the French Order of Arts and Letters.
* **Hollywood Walk of Fame:** He has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in California.
* **Grammy Awards:** He won the Grammy Award for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal and the Grammy Award for Song of the Year.

### Legacy and Cultural Impact
Sting's influence extends beyond his discography. A species of amphibian, *Dendropsophus stingi*, has been named after him. He is connected to other notable figures in the industry, such as Italian singer-songwriter Nek. His work period, which started in 1971, spans several decades, during which he has maintained a significant presence in the global music scene through his associations with Universal Music Group and its subsidiaries.

## References

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