STING

Hello everyone. I’m sure the celebrity I have chosen for today needs no introduction! So maybe you’re wondering why I’m going to talk about him? Perhaps you think you know all about him. The reasons I’ve chosen him is because I’m a huge fan – and because he is a remarkable person. In fact, he has just finished a book about himself and his life entitled Broken Music. I hope you’ll learn a few more things about him that you didn’t know.

First of all, what do we already know about him? Why do you think he has been so successful? Well, he still produces brilliant albums, and the song you all must have heard, Every Breath You Take, was one of the biggest hits ever. He wrote it in 1983 when he was with his old band, Police. But what you probably don’t know is that it still earns him about $2000 a week in royalties. Apparently, it’s the most popular record in the world on the radio, so that’s $100,000 a year – enough to buy a nice new Porsche or two!

As for his background, you might know that he was born in Newcastle in 1951 as Gordon Sumner. Not surprising he changed it, is it? But how did he get the name Sting? Apparently, back in the 70s he used to wear a black and gold striped sweatshirt all the time, and one day a friend started calling him ‘Sting’ – because the sweater reminded him of a bee – and the name stuck.

Anyway, now I can’t imagine him being called anything else, can you? And were you aware that he’d been a primary school teacher before he became famous? But music was always his first love. And the most amazing thing about him, I think, is that eventually Sting became not only one of music’s most popular figures, but also a defender of human rights and the environment.

It’s certainly true that a lot of people have criticized him for getting involved in things that have nothing to do with music! But personally, I think this is one of the most interesting things about him. Did you know that he and his wife started the Rainforest Foundation back in 1989 – to protect the Amazon? If so, you won’t be surprised to hear that Queen Elizabeth awarded him a CBE, a Commander of the British Empire, in 2004. There’s so much more I could tell you, but let me just finish by saying that not only has Sting entertained us for many years, but he’s helped millions of people along the way. I’m sure you’ll agree that he’s one of the most extraordinary people in the world of pop music today. 

Adapted from Biography website