Sting is a British musician, singer, songwriter, and actor who has had a successful and influential career spanning several decades. Born Gordon Matthew Thomas Sumner on October 2, 1951, in Wallsend, Newcastle upon Tyne, England, Sting grew up in a working-class family and attended St. Cuthbert's Grammar School, where he developed an interest in music. Sting first gained recognition as the lead singer and bassist of the band The Police, which became one of the most successful groups of the 1980s. The band's hits, such as "Roxanne," "Message in a Bottle," and "Every Breath You Take," helped to define the sound of the era and earned Sting international fame. After The Police disbanded, Sting pursued a successful solo career, releasing a number of critically acclaimed albums, such as "The Dream of the Blue Turtles" and "Brand New Day." Throughout his career, Sting has been known not only for his musical talent, but also for his com