Sting, born Gordon Matthew Thomas Sumner on 2 October 1951 in Wallsend, England, is a legendary English musician best known as the frontman, bassist, and primary songwriter of the rock band the Police, which he co-founded in 1977. After achieving global fame with hits like "Every Breath You Take," he launched a highly successful solo career in 1985, blending rock, jazz, reggae, and worldbeat, and has sold over 100 million records combined. His iconic nickname "Sting" originated from a black-and-yellow striped jumper he wore with the Phoenix Jazzmen, which made him look like a wasp—and he has famously insisted that even his mother calls him Sting. Before his music career, he worked as a teacher, bus conductor, and tax officer, and was inspired as a child by the Queen Mother waving at him to escape the shipyards. His accolades are immense, including 17 Grammy Awards, three Brit Awards, a Golden Globe, an Emmy, four Oscar nominations, and induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2003. He has also received a CBE from Queen Elizabeth II, the Kennedy Center Honors, and the Polar Music Prize, cementing his status as a global music icon.