Was sting in the police?

Was Sting in the Police?

Gordon Matthew Thomas Sumner, better known by his stage name Sting, is a British musician, singer-songwriter, and actor. He is best known for his work as the lead vocalist and bassist of the rock band The Police. But did you know that Sting had a brief stint in the police force before pursuing his music career? In this article, we’ll delve into Sting’s police background and explore the reasons why he left the force to focus on music.

Early Life and Education

Born on October 2, 1951, in Wallsend, North Tyneside, England, Sting was raised in a working-class family. He developed an interest in music at an early age and attended St. Cuthbert’s Grammar School in Newcastle upon Tyne. After completing his secondary education, Sting attended the University of Newcastle upon Tyne, where he studied English literature and began to develop his musical skills.

Police Career

In 1971, Sting joined the Newcastle Evening Chronicle as a journalist, but he soon left the job to pursue a career in music. However, before fully committing to music, Sting had a brief stint in the police force. In 1972, he applied to the Northumbria Police and was accepted as a trainee officer. Sting served as a police officer for about six months before deciding to leave the force.

Reasons for Leaving the Police

Sting has spoken publicly about why he left the police force. In an interview with The Guardian, he said: "I was a bit of a rebellious soul, and the police were not really my cup of tea. I didn’t really fit in, and I didn’t really want to be part of the system." Sting also felt that the police work was not challenging enough for him, and he wanted to pursue a career that would allow him to express himself creatively.

Music Career

After leaving the police force, Sting focused on his music career. He formed The Police in 1977 with drummer Stewart Copeland and guitarist Andy Summers. The band gained popularity with their unique blend of punk, reggae, and rock music. Sting’s distinctive vocals and songwriting skills were a key factor in the band’s success. The Police released five studio albums, including "Outlandos d’Amour" (1978), "Reggatta de Blanc" (1979), "Zenyatta Mondatta" (1980), "Ghost in the Machine" (1981), and "Synchronicity" (1983).

Solo Career

After The Police disbanded in 1986, Sting launched a successful solo career. He released his debut solo album, "The Dream of the Blue Turtles", in 1985, which included the hit single "If You Love Somebody Set Them Free". Sting has since released several successful solo albums, including "Nothing Like the Sun" (1987), "The Soul Cages" (1991), "Ten Summoner’s Tales" (1993), "Mercury Falling" (1996), and "Brand New Day" (1999).

Awards and Accolades

Throughout his career, Sting has won numerous awards and accolades. With The Police, he won six Grammy Awards and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2003. As a solo artist, Sting has won 17 Grammy Awards and has been nominated for a total of 31 Grammy Awards.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Sting did have a brief stint in the police force before pursuing his music career. However, he left the force after just six months due to his rebellious nature and the lack of creative challenge. Instead, he focused on his music career, which has been marked by success and critical acclaim. Sting’s unique blend of punk, reggae, and rock music with The Police and his subsequent solo career have made him one of the most successful musicians of all time.

Table: Sting’s Police Career

Bullets: Key Points

• Sting served as a police officer for about six months before leaving the force.
• He felt that the police work was not challenging enough for him.
• Sting’s rebellious nature made it difficult for him to fit in with the police force.
• He decided to focus on his music career instead.
• Sting went on to form The Police and achieve great success with the band.
• He launched a successful solo career after The Police disbanded in 1986.