Gordon Matthew Thomas Sumner (born 2 October 1951, Wallsend, Northumberland, England), known as Sting, is an English musician, singer and songwriter whose work spans rock, pop, jazz and other styles. He first achieved international prominence as the lead vocalist and principal songwriter of the Police and later established a long-running solo career, becoming one of the most widely recognised British artists of the late 20th century.

Before forming the Police, Sting worked as a teacher and played in local jazz and rock groups in the North East of England. In 1977 he co-founded the Police with drummer Stewart Copeland, later joined by guitarist Andy Summers. The band’s early success grew rapidly through the late 1970s, with albums such as Outlandos d’Amour (1978) and Regatta de Blanc (1979) producing major singles including “Roxanne” and “Message in a Bottle”. Their global profile expanded further with later releases, culminating in Synchronicity (1983), which included “Every Breath You Take”.

Sting launched his solo career in the mid-1980s with The Dream of the Blue Turtles (1985) and continued with albums including …Nothing Like the Sun (1987). Across this period he maintained a strong chart presence and developed a reputation for incorporating jazz musicianship and broader musical influences into mainstream songwriting. Well-known solo songs include “Englishman in New York” and “Fields of Gold”, and his work also extended into film, theatre and collaborations with other performers.

In later decades, Sting continued to record and tour, often revisiting both his solo catalogue and the Police repertoire. The Police reunited for a major world tour in 2007–2008, and Sting’s later solo albums included 57th & 9th (2016) and The Bridge (2021), alongside ongoing live performances and projects that explored different musical forms.

Sting has received major honours for songwriting and performance, including recognition at the Brit Awards in 2002 for Outstanding Contribution to Music. The Police were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2003, reflecting the band’s lasting influence on rock and popular music. His work as both a bandleader and solo artist has remained a reference point for later pop-rock songwriting and genre-crossing musicianship.