Sting

United Kingdom, 1985–now

English singer and bassist Gordon Sumner, who fronted the Police before a solo career drawing on jazz musicianship, Renaissance lute repertoire and non-Western music.

MusicRoots documents 3 artists who influenced Sting and 0 artists Sting influenced in turn. Every connection cites a published source.

Who influenced Sting?

• The Beatles — Sting has named the Beatles his songwriting school — the melodic craft under everything from the Police to his solo work.
• Miles Davis — A jazz bassist before the Police, Sting built his solo band from jazz players and has named Miles Davis's music a lifelong model.
• Bob Marley — Reggae — Bob Marley above all — was the rhythmic foundation Sting carried from the Police into his solo music.