Sting, born Gordon Matthew Thomas Sumner on October 2, 1951, in Wallsend, England, is a renowned British musician, activist, and actor. He rose to fame as the frontman, principal songwriter, and bassist for the new wave band The Police from 1977 until their breakup in 1986. After The Police, Sting launched a successful solo career in 1985, incorporating elements of pop, jazz, and world music into his distinctive style.