Sting was born Gordon Matthew Thomas Sumner in Wallsend, a ship building town near Newcastle After a family friend left him a Spanish guitar Sting became obsessed with music. He spent his youth visiting jazz clubs in nearby Newcastle, where he saw the likes of Jimi Hendrix and Cream. In 1977 Sting moved to London to pursue music with his band Last Exit. At one of the city’s jazz clubs he met drummer Stewart Copeland. Although starting out as a punk band, The Police showed a wide range of influences. By their fifth album, The Police were the biggest band in the world and although Synchronicity has sold 8 million copies the US alone the trio decided to go on hiatus. In 1985 Sting released his debut solo album, The Dream of the Blue Turtles. Featuring archive material, music videos “Shape Of My Heart” “Fields Of Gold” and, exclusive insights from music critics and journalists Michael Bonner (Uncut Magazine), Hamish MacBain (Shortlist), John Aizlewood (Evening Standard).