Sting before he was famous

Before the Police, Sting worked as a bus conductor, labourer and tax officer.

Watch the full documentary

5 Rock Legends Who Worked Ordinary Jobs Before FameSting's full story, alongside Elvis Presley, Ozzy Osbourne, Jimi Hendrix and Elton John

childhood Milk round mornings
As a boy he helped his milkman father deliver milk before school.
Helped his father, a milkman, deliver milk before school. Source
1961 An abandoned guitar
At ten he was obsessed with an old Spanish guitar left behind.
Was obsessed by ten with an old Spanish guitar left behind by an emigrating friend of his father. Source
1971-1974 Training to teach
He trained as a teacher at Northern Counties College of Education.
Trained as a teacher at Northern Counties College of Education. Source
early 1970s The wasp jumper
A bandleader called him Sting, saying his striped jumper looked like a wasp.
Was nicknamed Sting by bandleader Gordon Solomon, who said his black and yellow striped jumper made him look like a wasp. Source
1970s Nights in Newcastle
He played jazz evenings and weekends with the Phoenix Jazzmen and Last Exit.
Played jazz with the Phoenix Jazzmen, the Newcastle Big Band and Last Exit in the evenings, at weekends and during breaks from teaching. Source
1951
Was born Gordon Matthew Thomas Sumner at Sir G B Hunter Memorial Hospital in Wallsend, Northumberland. Source
1969-1971
Worked as a bus conductor, a building site labourer and a tax officer after leaving school. Source
1974-1976
Taught for two years at St Paul's First School in Cramlington, Northumberland. Source