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Sting

From Northern Skies to Fields of Gold
Series: Reverb
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Sting: From Northern Skies to Fields of Gold explores the profound influence of Sting's working-class upbringing in Newcastle on his music and career. Born Gordon Sumner in 1951 in North Tyneside, he rose to global fame as The Police's lead singer from 1977 to 1984 before a successful solo career. This book delves into the connection between his Northern English roots and his creative output, blending nostalgia, memory, and fact through interviews and historical insight.

Published for the 40th anniversary of The Police, it offers a detailed look at the man behind the star, including perspectives from Sting himself, people close to him, and music historians, revealing how his early environment shaped his art and success.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

Ideal for fans of Sting and The Police, this book will also appeal to readers interested in popular music history, cultural studies, and biographies of influential artists, especially those intrigued by working-class British backgrounds shaping music creativity.

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Sting: From Northern Skies to Fields of Gold Published to coincide with the 40th anniversary of the formation of The Police, Sting: From Northern Skies to Fields of Gold

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Sting: From Northern Skies to Fields of Gold is the first book to examine the relationship between Sting's working-class background in Newcastle and the creativity and inspiration behind his music. Born in a mainly working-class area of North Tyneside in 1951, Gordon Sumner would become one of the world's best-selling music artists. Known professionally as Sting, he was the lead singer for the band The Police from 1977 to 1984, before launching a hugely successful solo career.

The foundations of Sting's creativity and drive for success were established in the region of his birth, with vestiges of his 'Northern Englishness' continuing to emerge in his music long after he left the area.

Published to coincide with the 40th anniversary of the formation of The Police, Sting: From Northern Skies to Fields of Gold focusses on the sometimes-blurry borderlines between nostalgia, facts, imagination, and memories—as told by Sting, the people who knew (and know) him, and those who have written about him. Carr investigates the often complex resonance between local boy Gordon Sumner and the star the world knows as Sting.

This book will be of great interest to the many fans of Sting and The Police, as well as those interested in the history of popular music.

Series: Reverb

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  • Sting
    Sting: From Northern Skies to Fields of Gold is the first book to examine the relationship between Sting's working-class background in Newcastle and the creativity and inspiration behind his music. Born in a mainly working-class area of North Tyneside in 1951, Gordon Sumner would become one of the world's best-selling music artists. Known professionally as Sting, he was the lead...
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Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Described by composer Carl Orr as "about as thoroughly well-researched as a book can be," this biography traces Sting's journey from his challenging childhood in working-class Wallsend to international stardom. Drawing from numerous interviews, it provides a vivid portrait of a driven artist, highlighting how his difficult family life and desire to leave Newcastle influenced his work. This insightful volume is praised for its authority and depth, especially in illustrating Sting's homage to his roots through projects like The Last Ship, making it a fascinating read for fans and music historians alike.

Book Hero reading reviews

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781780238135

Publisher: Reaktion Books

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 25 September 2017

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Reaktion Books

Illustration: 30 illustrations

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Width: 148.0mm

Height: 210.0mm

Weight: 250g

Pages: 248

About the Author

Paul Carr is Reader in Popular Music Analysis at the University of South Wales. He has worked as a professional musician with The James Taylor Quartet and former Miles Davis sideman Bob Berg.

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