Gordon Matthew Thomas Sumner (born October 2, 1951), known as Sting, is an English singer, songwriter, musician, activist, and actor. He was at the height of fame with The Police, one of the world’s biggest bands. The Police released Zenyatta Mondatta (1980) and Ghost in the Machine (1981), blending reggae, new wave, and pop. By 1983, they hit their peak with Synchronicity, which included “Every Breath You Take,” a global No. 1 hit. Despite their success, tensions grew within the band, and they disbanded in 1984 at the peak of their fame.
After The Police, Sting embarked on a solo career that allowed him to explore diverse musical styles beyond new wave/reggae rock, particularly jazz. He launched his solo career with The Dream of the Blue Turtles (1985). He brought in jazz musicians like Branford Marsalis and Kenny Kirkland, creating a more experimental, jazz-infused sound. The album produced hits such as “If You Love Somebody Set Them Free” and “Fortress Around Your Heart.” Sting released a live album, Bring on the Night (1986), further highlighting his jazz influences.
His second solo studio album, ...Nothing Like the Sun (1987), solidified his solo star status. Hits included “We’ll Be Together,” “Fragile,” and his English/Spanish/Portuguese versions of “They Dance Alone,” a protest song against political oppression in Chile.
Throughout the decade, Sting also took on several acting roles in films like Brimstone and Treacle (1982), the sci-fi epic Dune (1984), and Plenty (1985).
In the late 1980s, Sting became deeply involved in humanitarian and political causes. He advocated for Amnesty International. He was also co-founded the Rainforest Foundation in 1989 after visiting the Amazon with his wife Trudie Styler.
By the end of the 1980s, Sting had successfully reinvented himself from “rock band frontman” to sophisticated solo artist and global activist, setting the stage for his long career into the 1990s and beyond.
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