Sting Photography

Sting first shot to fame as the lead singer and bassist for the Police from 1977 to 1983—when they disbanded at the peak of their popularity and commercial success. Though the band blended rock, new wave, punk, and reggae, Sting expanded even further as a solo artist, exploring terrains as vast as classical, new age, and worldbeat.

His 1985 debut The Dream of the Blue Turtles threw some fans and critics for a loop with its jazzy pop leanings, but nonetheless spawned several major singles, including “If You Love Somebody Set Them Free.” Throughout the rest of the decade, everything Sting released was a smash, though 1993’s Ten Summoner’s Tales was particularly noteworthy for signature songs “Fields of Gold” and “If I Ever Lose My Faith in You.”

As the ’90s wound down, Sting scored yet another artistic and commercial triumph with Brand New Day, featuring the internationally-renowned “Desert Rose.” This versatile artist kept busy well into the next millennium, experimenting with genres from Christmas music to orchestral works—and even Broadway—all while remaining a top touring attraction.