Sting [Stories]

The story of how he acquired the name Sting is quite interesting, because there are so many variations of it. Even Sting can’t seem to remember how the name actually came about.

The most popular version that appears in most magazines and books is that he was christened Sting while with the Phoenix Jazzmen. The band had a rule that said all band members had to have a nickname. The name Sting came about due to his wearing a striped gold and black sweater and the band thinking he looked like a bee. Gordon Soloman, the band’s trombonist, is the one that most books credit with coming up with the name Sting. In Christopher Sandford’s book Demolition Man he says that the Phoenix Jazzmen were ordinary workmen by day but by night when playing in the band took on the personas of Chicago-type mob gangsters! The actuary (insurance statistics expert) was known as Bruiser. The sax player wore a pinstripe suit and fedora and went by the name of Fang.

Whenever there was any trouble with a rowdy crowd Gordon Solomon would push the then named Gordon Sumner forward saying, “Kill, Sting.” Sting was not too keen to take up his new name and a few weeks later he revolted against the Jazzmen’s mob gangster dress code by wearing a gold and black striped sweater. It was after this that he then accepted and actively encouraged people to use the name Sting.

According to the third version, it was Jackie Denton, drummer with The Newcastle Big Band that gave Sting his nickname. He received it for his mordancy and constant sneering.

The funniest story was suggested by Pete Frame in his excellent book Rock Family Trees. It claims that: “He was nicknamed Sting when a bee flew up his trouser leg during a concert.”

The soundtrack to the Brimstone and Treacle in 1982 is considered Sting’s first solo effort. A bit later he performed solo at the Live Aid concert. In June 1985 Sting released “The Dream Of Blue Turtles”, enlisting young jazz musicians as his band. His passion for jazz improvisation persisted from younger age, yet the album bore the stylistic stamp of The Police material.

The same line-up recorded Sting’s live album “Bring On The Night” (1986) that contained both old and new numbers, and the next year saw the release of “Nothing Like The Sun”, with Mark Knopfler and Eric Clapton. A year later Sting recorded several songs from this album in Spanish and Portugese (“Nada Como El SolÉ”).

It was only in 1991 when the musician released the most melancholic of his albums, “Soul Cages”. The work was strongly influenced by two subsequent deaths of his mother and father. Sting enlisted the completely new line-up for the project, that went on to work on his next, probably the most successful album ever, “Ten Summoner’s Tales”, that is markedly different from “Soul Cages” in sound, filled with his typical light and humor.

Two more Sting’s albums were released three years apart, “Mercury Falling” (1996) and “Brand New Day” (1999). The latter brought him his two new Grammys.

Undoubtedly, Sting is a cult figure, and the secret of his success is very simple. Sting writes truly intellectual music, and his performance is sophisticated and exquisite. His lyrics, unlike the overwhelming number of pop songwriters, are deeply meaningful. Sting’s music feeds and enriches both mind and soul and is a real treat for all music lovers.