Sting (full name Gordon Matthew Thomas Sumner) was born October 2, 1951 in Walsend (Northumberland), England.
British singer and songwriter, best known as the leader of the band Police. He is also successful in his solo career as a musician. His musical style is a combination of pop, jazz, world music and other genres.
Sting's early life and the Police band
Gordon Sumner grew up in a Catholic family and attended a Catholic grammar school. He was a music lover from an early age. He especially liked the group Beatles, as well as jazz musicians Thelonious Monk and John Coltrane.
In 1971, after a brief stint at the University of Warwick in Coventry and odd jobs, Sumner entered the Northern Counties Teachers College (now Northumbria University), intending to become a teacher. As a student, he performed in local clubs, mostly with jazz bands such as the Phoenix Jazzmen and Last Exit.
He got the nickname Sting from one of his Phoenix Jazzmen bandmates. Because of the black and yellow striped sweater he often wore while performing. After graduating in 1974, Sting taught at St. Paul's School in Cramlington for two years.
In 1977 he moved to London and teamed up with musicians Stuart Copeland and Henri Padovani (who was soon replaced by Andy Summers). With Sting (bass), Summers (guitar) and Copeland (drums), the trio formed the new wave band Police.
The musicians became very successful, but the group broke up in 1984, although they were at their peak. In 1983, the Police received two Grammy Awards. In the nominations "Best Pop Performance" and "Best Rock Performance by a Group with Vocal". Sting, thanks to the song Every Breath You Take, received the nomination "Song of the Year". As well as "Best Rock Instrumental Performance" for the soundtrack of Brimstone & Treacle (1982), in which he played a role.
Solo career as an artist
For his first solo album, The Dream of the Blue Turtles (1985), Sting switched from bass to guitar. The album received significant success. He also had the famous singles If You Love Someone, Set Them Free and A Fortress Around Your Heart.
The album included a collaboration with jazz musician Branford Marsalis. Sting continued to demonstrate the musical versatility that he introduced with the Police.
The next album Nothing Like Sun (1987) included a collaboration with Eric Clapton. And also with former bandmate Summers. The album included such hits as Fragile, We Will Be Together, Englishman In New York and Be Still.
Beginning in the late 1970s and through the 1980s, Sting appeared in numerous films. Including "Quadrofenia" (1979), "Dune" (1984) and "Julia and Julia" (1987). During the 1980s, Sting also gained recognition for his interest in social issues.
He performed at Live Aid (a charity concert to help the famine in Ethiopia) in 1985. And in 1986 and 1988. he has performed at Amnesty's international human rights concerts.
In 1987, he and Trudie Styler (future wife) created the Rainforest Foundation. The organization was engaged in activities to protect the rainforests and their indigenous peoples. He continued to be an active advocate for human rights and the environment throughout his career.
Time for new Sting albums
Sting released four albums during the 1990s. The Soul Cages (1991) was a sad and moving album. It reflected the recent loss of the performer's father. It was unlike his previous two solo albums.
The album Ten Summoner's Tales (1993) went platinum. Over 3 million copies have been sold. Sting won this year's Grammy Award for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance with If I Ever Lose My Faith in You.
In 1996 he released the album Mercury Falling. The compilation was very successful at Brand New Day in 1999. I especially liked the main song of the album Desert Rose, on which the Algerian singer Cheb Mami worked.
This album also went platinum. In 1999, he won a Grammy Award for Best Pop Album and Best Male Pop Vocal Performance.
Late work and career as a singer Sting
In the 2003st century, Sting continued to record a lot of compositions and tour regularly. In XNUMX, he received a Grammy Award for his duet with Mary J. Blige Whenever I Say Your Name. The artist also published his autobiography "Broken Music".
In 2008, Sting began collaborating again with Summers and Copeland. The result was a very successful tour for the reunited Police band.
He later released the album If Of The Winter's Night... (2009). A collection of traditional folk songs and orchestral arrangements of his older songs Symphonicities (2010). For the final tour in support of the album, he toured with the London Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.
In the summer of 2014, The Last Ship made its off-Broadway debut in Chicago to critical acclaim. It was written by Sting and inspired by his childhood in the shipbuilding town of Wallsend,
The artist made his debut on Broadway in the same autumn. Sting joined the cast in the title role.
The album of the same name was the first recording of music released by Sting in about 10 years. He returned to his rock roots, and two years later collaborated with reggae star Shaggy.
Awards and achievements
Sting has also composed music for many film soundtracks. In particular, Disney's animated film Emperor's New Groove (2000). And also to the romantic comedy Kate and Leopold (2001) and the drama Cold Mountain (2003) (about the civil war).
He received Oscar nominations. As well as the Golden Globe Award for the song Kate and Leopold.
In addition to over 15 Grammy Awards, Sting has also received numerous Brit Awards for his work with the Police and for his solo career.
In 2002, he was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. And in 2004 he was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE).
In 2014, Sting received the Kennedy Center Honors from the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. John F. Kennedy to individuals who have made significant contributions to American culture through the performing arts. And in 2017, he was awarded the Polar Music Lifetime Achievement Award by the Royal Swedish Academy of Music.
Singer Sting in 2021
On March 19, 2021, the premiere of the singer's new LP took place. The collection was called Duets. The album was topped by 17 songs. For now, the LP is available on CD and vinyl, but Sting promised that he would fix the situation soon.
