Sting
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Spanning almost three decades of career in the world of music, Sting continues to innovate his craft as the modern renaissance man. A commander in the Order of the British Empire, he joined The Police in London, in 1977, that released the chart-topper "Every Breath You Take." Today, he performs to special concerts and the latest would be his perfomance for the musician Robert Schumann. He released his latest album, "Songs from the Labyrinth" in October this year, and has been receiving high reviews from music critics.
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About
Born Gordon Matthew Sumner on October 2, 1951 in Wallsend, Northumberland to parents, Ernest and Audrey Sumner. He is the eldest out of the four siblings. As a child, he helped his father who manages a dairy. Sting graduated from St. Cuthbert's Grammar School in Newcastle and continued his studies at the University of Warwick but never graduated. Before he attended the Northern Countie Teacher Training College, he worked as a ditch digger, a construction worker, bus conductor and tax officer. He also became a primary school teacher and taught English in Cramlington.
He developed his love for music at a very young age. He decided to take a step in making it a reality by playing with bands such as Last Exit and Blue Turtles. Eventually got the name Sting when he wore a striped yellow and black shirt which made him looked like a bee. After paying wtih various jazz group, he met with Stewart Copeland and Andy Summers and soon formed the influential new wave band, The Police in the 70's where Sting is the bassist and leac vocalist.
The Police became highly succesful during their reign in 70's thru early 80's. They decided to call it quits by 1984 and Sting pursued a solo career. During the first decade of his career as a solo artist, Sting became a superstar. Aside from being a famous superstar, he also starred in movies such as Dune, Quadrophenia, The Grotesque, Radio On, Plenty, Julia and Julia, Bring On The Night ,which is a documentary about his jazz group Blue Turtles.
He also established a foundation, the Rainforest Foundation to help preserve the rain forests in Brazil.
Awards & Certifications
Awards Won
| Year | Award | Category |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | David Angell Humanitarian Award | |
| 2004 | Grammy Award | Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals for "Whenever I Say Your Name" shared with Mary J. Blige |
| 2004 | World Soundtrack Award | Best Original Song Written for Film (from movie "Cold Mountain" (2003)) for "You Will Be My Ain True Love" shared with Alison Krauss |
| 2003 | Billboard Century Award | |
| 2002 | Ivor Novello International Achievement Award | |
| 2002 | Songwriters Hall of Fame | |
| 2002 | Brit Award | Outstanding Contribution |
| 2002 | Golden Globe | Best Original Song - Motion Picture (from movie "Kate & Leopold" (2001)) for "Until" |
| 2002 | Emmy | Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program for Sting... All This Time |
| 2001 | BFCA Award | Best Song (from movie "The Emperor's New Groove" (2000)) for "My Funny Friend and Me" shared with David Hartley |
| 2001 | Annie Award | Outstanding Individual Achievement for a Song in an Animated Production (from movie "The Emperor's New Groove" (2000)) for "Perfect World" shared with David Hartley |
| 2001 | Grammy Award | Best Pop Vocal Performance - Male for "She Walks This Earth (Soberana Rosa)" |
| 2000 | Patrick Lippert Award | |
| 2000 | My VH1 Music Award | Legend in Action |
| 2000 | Grammy Award | Best Pop Vocal Performance - Male for "Brand New Day" |
| 2000 | Grammy Award | Best Pop Album for Brand New Day |
| 1998 | Ivor Novello Award | Most Performed Work for "I’ll Be Missing You/Every Breath You Take" |
| 1998 | Sierra Award | Best Original Song (from movie "The Mighty" (1998)) for "Freak, The Mighty" |
| 1994 | Brit Award | Best British Male Solo Artist |
| 1994 | Grammy Award | Best Pop Vocal Performance - Male for "If I Ever Lose My Faith In You" |
| 1994 | Grammy Award | Best Music Video - Long Form for Sting: Ten Summoners Tales shared with Doug Nichol; Julie Fong |
| 1992 | Grammy Award | Best Rock Song for "Soul Cages" |
| 1988 | Brit Award | Best British Album for Nothing Like The Sun |
| 1988 | Grammy Award | Best Pop Male Vocal Performance for "Bring On The Night" |
| 1987 | Grammy Award | Best Music Video, Long Form for Bring on the Night (1985) shared with Michael Apted |
| 1984 | Grammy Award | Song of the Year for "Every Breath You Take" |
| 1984 | Grammy Award | Best Rock Instrumental Performance for "Brimstone & Treacle" |
Awards Nominated
| Year | Award | Category |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | CMT Music Award | Wide Open Country Video of the Year for "Always on Your Side" shared with Sheryl Crow |
| 2007 | Grammy Award | Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals for " Always On Your Side" shared with Sheryl Crow |
| 2005 | Grammy Award | Best Song Written for a Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media (from movie "Cold Mountain" (2003) for "You Will Be My Ain True Love" |
| 2004 | Grammy Award | Best Pop Vocal Performance - Male for "Send Your Love" |
| 2004 | Oscar | Best Music, Original Song (from movie "Cold Mountain" (2003) for "You Will Be My Ain True Love" |
| 2004 | Golden Globe | Best Original Song - Motion Picture (from movie "Cold Mountain" (2003) for "You Will Be My Ain True Love" |
| 2003 | Grammy Award | Best Pop Vocal Performance - Male for "Fragile" |
| 2002 | BFCA Award | Best Song (from movie "Kate & Leopold" (2001)) for "Until" |
| 2002 | Grammy Award | 2000)) for "My Funny Friend And Me" shared with David Hartley |
| 2002 | Oscar | Best Music, Original Song (from movie "Kate & Leopold" (2001)) for "Until" |
| 2002 | World Soundtrack Award | Best Original Song Written for a Film (from movie "Kate & Leopold" (2001) for "Until" |
| 2001 | Golden Globe | Best Original Song - Motion Picture (from movie "The Emperor's New Groove" (2000) for "My Funny Friend and Me" shared with David Hartley |
| 2001 | Blockbuster Entertainment Award | Favorite Male Artist - Pop |
| 2001 | Blockbuster Entertainment Award | Favorite Male Artist |
| 2001 | Golden Satellite Award | Best Original Song (from movie "The Emperor's New Groove" (2000)) for "My Funny Friend And Me" shared with David Hartley |
| 2001 | Blockbuster Entertainment Award | Favorite Artist - Rock |
| 2001 | Oscar | Best Music, Original Song (from movie"The Emperor's New Groove" (2000)) for "My Funny Friend and Me" shared with David Hartley (composer) |
| 2001 | Orville H. Gibson Guitar Award | Best Bassist (Male) |
| 2000 | Orville H. Gibson Guitar Award | Best Bassist (Male) |
| 2000 | VH1/Vogue Fashion Award | Most Fashionable Artist - Male |
| 2000 | Brit Award | Best British Male Solo Artist |
| 2000 | Sierra Award | Best Song (from movie "The Emperor's New Groove" (2000)) for "My Funny Friend And Me" |
| 1999 | Golden Globe | Best Original Song - Motion Picture (from movie "The Mighty" (1998)) for "The Mighty" shared with Trevor Jones |
| 1999 | Grammy Award | Best Pop Vocal Performance - Male for "You Were Meant For Me" |
| 1998 | Grammy Award | Best Country Collaboration with Vocals for "I'm So Happy I Can't Stop Crying" shared with Toby Keith |
| 1997 | Grammy Award | Best Pop Album for Mercury Falling |
| 1997 | Grammy Award | Best Pop Vocal Performance - Male for "Let Your Soul Be Your Pilot" |
| 1997 | Grammy Award | Best Pop Vocal Collaboration for "The Wind Cries Mary" shared with John McLaughlin; Dominic Miller & Vinnie Colaiuta |
| 1996 | Grammy Award | Best Pop Vocal Performance - Male for "When We Dance" |
| 1995 | Grammy Award | Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals for "All For Love" shared with Rod Stewart; Bryan Adams |
| 1995 | Grammy Award | Best Music Video - Long Form for Peter and the Wolf: A Prokofiev Fantasy (1994) (TV) shared with Claudio Abbado; Steve Bendelack; Roger Law |
| 1994 | Grammy Award | Album of the Year for Ten Summoner's Tales |
| 1994 | Grammy Award | Record of the Year for "If I Ever Lose My Faith In You" |
| 1994 | Grammy Award | Song of the Year for "If I Ever Lose My Faith In You" |
| 1994 | MTV Movie Award | Best Movie Song (from movie "The Three Musketeers" (1993)) for "All For Love" shared with Bryan Adams; Rod Stewart |
| 1994 | Grammy Award | Best Rock Vocal Performance, Solo for "Demolition Man" |
| 1993 | Grammy Award | Best Song Written Specifically for a Motion Picture or for Television (from movie "Lethal Weapon 3" (1992)) for "It's Probably Me" shared with Michael Kamen; Eric Clapton |
| 1993 | MTV Movie Award | Best Movie Song (from movie "Lethal Weapon 3" (1992)) for "It's Probably Me" shared with Eric Clapton |
| 1993 | MTV Video Music Award | Best Male Video for "If I Ever Lose My Faith In You" |
| 1989 | Grammy Award | Best Pop Vocal Performance - Male for "Be Still My Beating Heart" |
| 1989 | Grammy Award | Song of the Year for "Be Still My Beating Heart" |
| 1989 | Grammy Award | Album of the Year for Nothing Like The Sun |
| 1986 | MTV Video Music Award | Best Overall Performance for "If You Love Somebody Set Them Free" |
| 1986 | MTV Video Music Award | Best Male Video for "If You Love Somebody Set Them Free" |
| 1986 | Grammy Award | Best Pop Vocal Performance - Male for "The Dream Of The Blue Turtles" |
| 1986 | Grammy Award | Album of the Year for "The Dream of the Blue Turtles" |
| 1986 | Grammy Award | Song of the Year for "Money For Nothing" shared with Mark Koopfler |
Chart Toppers
| Year | Title | chart... | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| year... | song... | rank... | album... |
News
Tours & Concerts
05/28/07 - Vancouver, British Columbia (General Motors Place)
05/30/07 - Vancouver, British Columbia (General Motors Place)
06/ 02/07 - Edmonton, Alberta (Commonwealth Stadium)
06/ 06/07 - Seattle,Washington (KeyArena at Seattle Center)
06/ 07/07 - Seattle, Washington (KeyArena at Seattle Center)
06/ 09/07 - Denver, Colorado (Pepsi Center)
06/ 10/07 - Denver, Colorado (Pepsi Center)
06/ 13/07 - Oakland, California (McAfee Coliseum)
06/ 15/07 - Las Vegas, Nevada (MGM Grand - Garden Arena)
06/ 16/07- Manchester, Tennessee (Bonnaroo Music Festival)
06/ 18/07 - Phoenix, Arizona (US Airways Center)
06/ 20/07 - Los Angeles, California (Staples Center)
06/ 21/07 - Anaheim, California (Honda Center)
06/ 23/07 - Los Angeles, California (Dodger Stadium)
06/ 26/07 - Dallas, Texas (American Airlines Center)
06/ 27/07 - Dallas, Texas (American Airlines Center)
06/ 29/07 - Houston, Texas (Toyota Center)
06/ 30/07 - New Orleans, Louisiana (New Orleans Arena)
07/02/07 - Saint Louis, Missouri (Scottrade Center)
07/03/07 - Saint Paul, Minnesota (Xcel Energy Center)
07/05/07 - Chicago, Illinois (Wrigley Field)
07/10/07 - Miami, Florida (Dolphins Stadium)
07/11/07 - Tampa, Florida (Saint Pete Times Forum)
07/14/07 - Louisville, Kentucky (Churchill Downs)
07/16/07 - Cleveland, Ohio (Quicken Loans Arena)
07/17/07 - Auburn Hills, Michigan (Palace Of Auburn Hills)
07/19/07 - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (Citizens Bank Park)
07/20/07 - Hershey,Pennsylvania (Hersheypark Stadium)
07/22/07 - Toronto, Ontario (Air Canada Centre)
07/23/07 - Toronto, Ontario (Air Canada Centre)
07/25/07 - Montreal, Quebec (Bell Centre)
07/26/07 - Montreal, Quebec (Bell Centre)
07/28/07 - Boston, Massachusetts (Fenway Park Stadium )
07/29/07 - Boston, Massachusetts(Fenway Park Stadium )
07/31/07 - East Hartford, Connecticut(Rentschler Field)
08/01/07 - New York, New York (Madison Square Garden)
08/03/07 - New York , New York(Madison Square Garden )
08/04/07 - Baltimore, Maryland (Virgin Festival - V Festival)
08/05/07 - East Rutherford, New Jersey (Meadowlands Sports Complex - Giants Stadium)
08/29/07 - Stockholm, Sweden (Globen / Stockholm Globe Arena)
08/30/07 - Stockholm, Sweden (Globen / Stockholm Globe Arena )
09/01/07 - Aarhus, Denmark (Vestereng)
09/04/07 - Birmingham, United Kingdom (National Indoor Arena / The NEC Arena - The NIA / N.I.A)
09/05/07 - Birmingham, United Kingdom(National Indoor Arena / The NEC Arena - The NIA / N.I.A.)
09/08/07 - London, United Kingdom (Twickenham Stadium)
09/09/07 - London, United Kingdom (Twickenham Stadium)
09/11/07 - Hamburg, Germany (AOL Arena)
09/13/07 - Amsterdam, Netherlands (Amsterdam ArenA)
09/14/07 - Amsterdam, Netherlands (Amsterdam ArenA)
09/16/07 - Prague, Czech Republic (Sazka Arena )
09/19/07 - Vienna, Austria (Stadthalle)
09/22/07 - Munich, Germany (Olympiastadion)
09/27/07 - Barcelona, (SpainOlympic Stadium )
09/29/07 - Paris , France (Stade de France)
10/08/07 - Merksem, Belgium (Sportpaleis Antwerpen)
10/10/07 - Mannheim , Germany (SAP Arena)
10/13/07 - Dusseldorf, Germany (LTU Arena)
10/15/07 - Manchester, United Kingdom (Manchester Evening News Arena / MEN Arena)
10/16/07 - Manchester, United Kingdom (Manchester Evening News Arena / MEN Arena)
10/19/07 - Cardiff, United Kingdom (Millennium Stadium)
11/08/07 - Toronto, Ontario (Air Canada Centre)
Announcements
Discography
Albums
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Singles
| Date | Title | Label |
|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Spread a Little Happiness | A&M Records |
| 1985 | If You Love Somebody Set Them Free | A&M Records |
| 1985 | Love Is the Seventh Wave | A&M Records |
| 1985 | Fortress Around Your Heart | A&M Records |
| 1985 | Russians | A&M Records |
| 1986 | Moon Over Bourbon Street | A&M Records |
| 1987 | We'll Be Together | A&M Records |
| 1988 | Englishman in New York | A&M Records |
| 1988 | Be Still My Beating Heart | A&M Records |
| 1988 | Fragile | A&M Records |
| 1988 | They Dance Alone | A&M Records |
| 1990 | Englishman In New York (Ben Liebrand remix) | A&M Records |
| 1991 | All This Time | A&M Records |
| 1991 | Mad About You | A&M Records |
| 1991 | The Soul Cages | A&M Records |
| 1992 | It's Probably Me (with Eric Clapton) | A&M Records |
| 1993 | If I Ever Lose My Faith In You | A&M Records |
| 1993 | Seven Days | A&M Records |
| 1993 | Fields Of Gold | A&M Records |
| 1993 | Shape Of My Heart (Also known as Professional , it was the soundtrack of Léon) | A&M Records |
| 1993 | Demolition Man | A&M Records |
| 1994 | All For Love (with Bryan Adams and Rod Stewart) | A&M Records |
| 1994 | Nothing 'Bout Me | A&M Records |
| 1994 | When We Dance | A&M Records |
| 1995 | This Cowboy Song | A&M Records |
| 1996 | Spirits in the Material World (with Pato Banton) | A&M Records |
| 1996 | Let Your Soul Be Your Pilot | A&M Records |
| 1996 | You Still Touch Me | A&M Records |
| 1996 | I Was Brought to My Senses | A&M Records |
| 1996 | I'm So Happy I Can't Stop Crying (Ft Toby Keith) | A&M Records |
| 1997 | Roxanne '97 (Puff Daddy Remix) (Ft Pras of The Fugees) | A&M Records |
| 1999 | Brand New Day #100 | A&M Records |
| 2000 | Desert Rose (Ft Cheb Mami) | A&M Records |
| 2000 | After the Rain Has Fallen | A&M Records |
| 2003 | Rise & Fall (Craig David Ft Sting) | A&M Records |
| 2003 | Send Your Love | A&M Records |
| 2003 | Whenever I Say Your Name (with Mary J. Blige) | A&M Records |
| 2004 | Stolen Car (Take Me Dancing) | A&M Records |
| 2005 | Taking the Inside Rail | A&M Records |
| 2006 | Always on Your Side (with Sheryl Crow) | A&M Records |
Compilations & Live Releases
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Other artists
Similar artists
Influences
Contemporaries
Trivia
- He has 6 children, two from his first wife, four from Trudie.
- Lived with Trudie Styler for about 10 years before marrying her.
- His favorite music is actually jazz.
- Got his nickname "Sting" from the black and gold rugby shirts he used to wear, which made him look like a hornet.
- Son, Joseph, is a singer in a band and bears a striking resemblance to Sting. Joe's singing sounds similar to his father's as well.
- Is the godfather of Madonna's new born, Rocco.
- The comic book character John Constantine from DC's Hellblazer was designed to look like Sting.
- Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (as a member of the Police) on 10 March 2003.
- Album Nothing Like the Sun is dedicated to his mother, Audrey.
- Filmed his son Jake's birth and put in his movie, Bring on the Night (1985)
- He was a member of Band Aid (1984).
- Appointed CBE in the 2003 Queen's Birthday Honours List.
- Now resides in a Malibu house formerly owned by actor Larry Hagman.
- Sting takes in an average of $2000.00 per day in royalties for this now 20 year old song "Every Breath You Take." The song is officially the most requested radio song of all time.
- His song "Roxanne" was covered by George Michael on the album "Songs from the Last Century".
- Performed for the BBC's annual Children in Need charity event. [21 November 2003]
- Is a big fan of "Richard Laymer, the Copy Guy," a popular character created by Rob Schneider for "Saturday Night Live" (1975). Sting was the first SNL host/musical guest to appear in a "Copy Guy" sketch; he later wrote the cast and crew a letter from "Sting. The Stingster. Der Stinglehoffer. Sting-a-ling-a-ding-dong. Sting-o. The Stingman."
- Speaks fluent Portuguese.
- The Police were voted the 70th Greatest Rock 'n' Roll Artists of all time by Rolling Stone.
- Wrote "Every Breath You Take" after waking up in the middle of the night from a dream.
- The Police ended their last tour in early 1984 and only regrouped to play a few benefit dates in 1986. Their last performance to date was March 10, 2003 at their Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame induction. They have never announced an official breakup.
- His song "Roxanne" is one of the top 50 bar/jukebox songs of all time, according to VH-1.
- His album with The Police, "Synchronicity", was the album that finally knocked Michael Jackson's "Thriller", the best selling album of all time, out of the number one spot it held for most of 1983.
- Along with Trudie Styler, he introduced Madonna to her second husband Guy Ritchie
- Former son-in-law of actor-writer Joseph Tomelty
- He is an avid Newcastle United supporter.
- One of his children suffers from dyspraxia - a developmental disorder of the brain in childhood affecting movement and coordination
- In an interview in the late 90s, said he liked some American Country music, mentioning Hank Williams and "Gentleman" Jim Reeves as two of his favorites.
- He is a vegetarian.
- The 2005 winning horse of the Kentucky Derby, Giacomo, is named after Sting and Trudie's son of the same name. The owner of the horse, Jerry Moss, is good friends with Sting and recorded him on A&M Records.
- Reunited with his former band mates and performed at the 2007 Grammy Awards. The next day, The Police announced a worldwide tour in 2007, the first tour since 1986.
External Links
Categories: Artist | Rock | Pop | New Wave
