Sting's 60th Birthday: Rock Legend's Best Musical Moments (VIDEOS)

Sting may be turning 60 on Oct. 2, but the self-professed "King of Pain" shows no signs of slowing down. The Police's former frontman is ringing in the new decade with a commemorative box set and a star-studded benefit concert -- all before kicking off his "Back to Bass" tour in Boston later this month. And that's not counting "The Last Ship," the Broadway musical he's co-written with "Next to Normal" veteran Brian Yorkey, which is due for a New York reading in the next few weeks.

While he may be known for his many 1980s New Wave, pop and adult contemporary hits, Sting -- like many stars of a certain age -- isn't exactly one for nostalgia. "I had the most fun in the previous decade, between 50 and 60," he told USA Today. "So I'm anticipating that the next one will be even better. I mean, why not?"

Lithe as ever -- and, it seems, still fond of spilling intimate details about his tantric love life with wife Trudie Styler to the media -- Sting (real name: Gordon Sumner) says he doesn't feel 60. "I feel like I'm 14-and-a-half in many respects," he joked to CNN.

In honor of Sting's 60th birthday, the Huff/Post50 team has put together a commemorative slideshow of his best musical moments, with The Police and solo. Which is your favorite?

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Comments

[Russell Brown]

07:16 PM on 10/14/2011

I'll say this about Sting - he's great, but when he was with the Police, he was better. You don't have to go any further then the reunion concert to see that 3 piece ensemble, when at the top of it's form, was hands down better than any 3 piece band today. Every one of those guys (Sting, Andy, and Stewart) were near virtuosos at their craft, and the sound they could create with just the 3 of them hands down was greater then the sum of it's parts and some of the finest music you'll ever hear -

but the man is holding up really well - happy birthday, Sting

[Back2u]

08:53 PM on 10/04/2011

I've been Sting fan since 1978 when Roxanne was first released. My poor husband has lived with that man in our lives since then. Our son is even named Matthew, which is Sting's middle name. His music stands the test of time...can't wait to see the Back to Bass tour....already have my tickets. Since he's been performing solo, I've never missed a tour, and did love the Police reunion, but glad he is back to performing as a single artist. And at 60, he is still a hottie. We were fortunate to have front row seats in the pit to see him last year during the Symphoncity tour....oh my. : ) I am wondering why Mad About You and his performance in Italy on 9/11 of Fragile are not on this list, but to each his own.

[innerdream]

07:25 PM on 10/04/2011

Too bad the Police men couldn't go into therapy and keep one of the best bands ever together. His work after the Police doesn't hold a candle to the music those three made. Happy Birthday Sting and thank you for all of those great records you made with the Police.

[JohnFromCensornati]

04:52 PM on 10/03/2011

I think I'd choose "Demolition Man" or "Russians".

[EagalObama]

03:46 PM on 10/03/2011

Do the Yoga, or grow Old, it's up to you ;-)

[CPNASH]

03:20 PM on 10/03/2011

What a fabulous life and career he's managed, and still feeling 14 1/2...He's obviously still inspired and has much to do. Anyway, growing old might be natural, but feeling old is only for those who don't believe they have any other choice.

[Duffy Sinclair]

03:17 PM on 10/03/2011

Ugh... Sting being 60 makes me feel really old. I was the biggest Police fan as a teenager.

I swear it just seems like yesterday when I was 18, getting drunk in the parking lot of Alpine Valley in Wisconsin, waiting for my first Police concert and a limo drives by with the window down and Andy Summers poking his head out. What do I do? I start chasing the limo, while my friends are screaming at me, asking me what the hell am I doing! I immediately gave up chase, came to my senses, and asked myself, "What the hell am I doing?"

True story, by the way.

[littlebrowngirl]

04:02 PM on 10/02/2011

Love you sting. You make me feel old now. It does not seem that long but we have been listening to him for almost 30 years.

[breakingpoint]

03:12 PM on 10/02/2011

60?

[AdamYoksas]

02:55 PM on 10/02/2011

I would, personally, take these out of the lineup:

1) "Spirits in the Material World."

2) "Wrapped Around Your Finger."

3) "King of Pain."

4) "Englishman in New York."

5) "Shape of my Heart."

I would offer these in their place:

1) "Message in a Bottle" (Reggatta de Blanc).

2) "Bring on the Night" (Reggatta de Blanc).

3) "If You Love Somebody, Set Them Free" (Dream of the Blue Turtles).

4) "Be Still my Beating Heart" (Nothing Like the Sun).

5) "All This Time" (Soul Cages).

[cantstoprockin]

02:15 PM on 10/02/2011

No thanks!

[arianaart]

01:03 PM on 10/02/2011

HAPPY BIRTHDAY STING!!! Love ya!

[Tena]

12:40 PM on 10/02/2011

Happy Birthday, Sting and happy birthday to me = we were born in the same day in the same year and I want to know why I'm not a superstar, too.

You, me, Mahatma Gandhi, Wallace Stevens and Groucho Marx. We're in good company.

[LIBRARONI]

05:11 PM on 10/03/2011

Hi,You also forgot,,Spanky McFarlane(OUR GANG COMEDIES),Bud Abbott(Abbott & Costello),Kelly Ripa,Lorraine Bracco,Rex Reed,Don McLean ,Tiffany,and the list goes on....My guess is they forgot to add you,and me too to it, ...HAPPY BIRTHDAY

[Forester]

12:14 PM on 10/02/2011

Keep rockn' that eezee listening dentist office music Stink!

[Poboy]

12:41 PM on 10/02/2011

I am curious.

What do you think of this song, i burn for you, and those drums.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5yY1xEvr7M

Have you ever heard better drums?

[Tom Ferjo]

10:03 PM on 11/17/2011

Thanks Poboy... my favorite Police song (check the original on the Brimstone & Treacle soundtrack) and that clip is a musical highlight of a fantastic career - Sting is why I am singing bass player!

[dennishastings]

04:02 PM on 10/03/2011

What an odd comment. Try playing bass and singing, for starters.

And don't listen to music with understandable lyrics, what ever you do. It'll make you think.

[Forester]

07:30 PM on 10/03/2011

I know that diamonds mean money for this art, but that's not the shape of my heart?

[pecosdog]

12:00 PM on 10/02/2011

Saw the Police on the Ghost in the Machine tour. Last show of the American tour, Las Cruces, New Mexico of all places. Anyhoo, Dave Edmunds opens up the show, gets booed off the stage. I thought he was OK, didn't deserve the boos, but it happens, the peeps were anxious to see the Police. At the end of the Police show Sting says, "I'd like you all to welcome to the stage, a good friend of mine, Dave Edmunds." And the dumbazz crowd booed again. Sting yelled into the mike "SHUT UP! OK, let's try this again. I would like you all to welcome a GOOD FRIEND OF MINE TO THE STAGE, MR. DAVE EDMUNDS!" They crowd cheered like crazy and the Police and Dave launched into an awesome "Johnny B. Goode".

[americancolonyinhell]

06:35 PM on 10/03/2011

And to think they booed the great Dave Edmunds of Rockpile and "I Hear You Knocking" Fame. A true rock 'n' roller if ever there was one.