Described as intellectual, earthy, egotistical, introspective, enigmatic and environmentally-obsessed, the multi-talented performer known simply as Sting came to prominence as the singer, bass player and songwriter of The Police, one of the more influential New Wave bands of the late 1970s and mid-80s. His blond good looks made him a natural for the movies, and long before he left his reggae-tinged rock group for a solo career, he debuted in "Quadrophenia" (1979), based on The Who's rock album, playing a super-Mod whose image collapses when he's found to work as a bellhop. "Brimstone and
If there's one flaw in Sundance's music-oriented talk show Spectacle, it's that host Elvis Costello can be a little too familiar with his guests, and that's exacerbated in this week's episode, with tour mates The Police stopping
Began playing guitar at age nine (date approximate)
1969
Received a seaman's card and worked as bass player with the Ronnie Pierson trio on Princess Cruise Lines at age 17 (date approximate)
1975
Worked as a construction laborer, a clerk for Inland Revenue and an English teacher and soccer coach at St Catherine's Convent School in Newcastle-on-Tyne; moonlighted with rock and jazz groups such as Phoenix Jazzmen and Last Exit
1977
Formed group The Police with drummer Stewart Copeland and rhythm guitarist Andy Summers; first album "Outlandos D'Amour" was an immediate success