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Sting Biography

Birth Name:Gordon Matthew Thomas Sumner

Birth Place:Wallsend, Newcastle upon Tyne, England, United Kingdom

Profession Soundtrack, Actor, Music department, Producer

Fast Facts

  • Received a Kennedy Center Honor in 2014
  • Was recognized by the Smithsonian Institutition's National Museum of American History for his philanthropic work in 2017
  • Is heavily involved with Amnesty International by performing at various events on behalf of the organization
  • Received the Polar Music Prize in 2017
  • Received an honorary doctorate degree from Newcastle University in 2006
  • Worked for two years as a certified primary school teacher before becoming a musician
  • Would sneak into nightclubs in his youth, where he saw various acts such as Cream and Jimi Hendrix
  • Often makes references to literature in his musical works
  • Widely regarded for his high-pitched, raspy singing voice
  • Introduced Madonna to her second husband Guy Ritchie
  • Got his stage name from a member of the band Phoenix Jazzmen

Awards

  • 1987Grammy-Best Music Video, Long Form: winner
  • 1993Grammy-Best Song Written Specifically for a Motion Picture or for Television: nominated
  • 1993MTV Movie Award-Best Movie Song: nominated
  • 1994MTV Movie Award-Best Movie Song: nominated
  • 1995Grammy-Best Music Video - Long Form: nominated
  • 1998Sierra Award-Best Original Song: winner
  • 1999Golden Globe-Best Original Song - Motion Picture: nominated
  • 2000Sierra Award-Best Song: nominated
  • 2001Oscar-Best Music, Original Song: nominated
  • 2001Annie-Outstanding Individual Achievement for a Song in an Animated Production: winner
  • 2001Critics Choice Award-Best Song: winner
  • 2001Golden Globe-Best Original Song - Motion Picture: nominated
  • 2001OFTA Film Award-Best Music, Original Song: nominated
  • 2001PFCS Award-Best Original Song: winner
  • 2001Golden Satellite Award-Best Original Song: nominated
  • 2002Oscar-Best Music, Original Song: nominated
  • 2002Critics Choice Award-Best Song: nominated
  • 2002Golden Globe-Best Original Song - Motion Picture: winner
  • 2002Grammy-Best Song Written for a Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media: nominated
  • 2002OFTA Film Award-Best Music, Original Song: nominated
  • 2002OFTA Film Award-Best Music, Adapted Song: winner
  • 2002World Soundtrack Award-Best Original Song Written for a Film: nominated
  • 2004Oscar-Best Music, Original Song: nominated
  • 2004Gold Derby Film Award-Original Song: nominated
  • 2004Golden Globe-Best Original Song - Motion Picture: nominated
  • 2004INOCA-Best Original Song: nominated
  • 2004World Soundtrack Award-Best Original Song Written for Film: winner
  • 2005Grammy-Best Song Written for a Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media: nominated
  • 2016Critics' Choice Documentary Award-Best Song in a Documentary: nominated
  • 2016HMMA Award-Best Original Song - Documentary: nominated
  • 2017Oscar-Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures (Original Song): nominated