The 5 reasons Sting rules as a proper rock star (even if he postpones shows)

Here at Phoenix New Times, we were excited to see Sting (and his 3.0 project) come to Phoenix on Jan. 24. But then, just as we were finishing up this very piece, the former Police frontman announced an illness that postponed the Phoenix concert to June 1 (via ABC 15).

Is all of this a total bummer? God yes. But we're a resilient lot here, and we decided to solider on despite the bad news. Here, then, is our preview as intended: the five reasons why Sting is a proper rock star and all-around swell fella. Be it his activism, his many musical contributions, his wacky film roles or the, um, many spicy stories surrounding his character, Sting is truly a larger-than-life figure in the realm of pop culture. If anything, his "absence" only heightens these feelings, and now more than ever we should celebrate Sting the man as much as Sting the legend.

We'll see ya in June, Sting. Until then, avoid any strenuous activities and feel better!

He's a paragon for music royalties

The prevailing urban legend is that Diddy pays Sting $2,000 a day in royalities. That story stems from the former rap mogul's inability to secure rights and permissions when he sampled The Police's "Every Breath You Take" for 1997's "I'll Be Missing You." There's a rather high likelihood that this isn't at all the case, even if you consider that royalties for "Missing You" have likely proven substantial enough over the years. Still, it's the story itself that matters most, and the lessons and insights it offers. It's first and foremost an important demonstration that royalties matter, and artists deserve to be paid for their efforts. It's also a chance, like during this 2018 interview with "The Breakfast Club," for Sting to look continually humble and poised as he promotes the "myth" as this interesting corner of music history. And, finally, if it makes Diddy look remotely bad in the face of his recent allegations, that just seems like the cherry on this pop music sundae. Don't believe conspiracies, kids, unless they're this funny, relevant and delicious.

He was the best part of 1984's 'Dune'

The very notion of a "Dune" adaptation helmed by David Lynch is inherently bonkers. How could a post-"The Elephant Man," pre-"Blue Velvet" Lynch ever manage a meaningful recreation of a notoriously complicated and robust book that's basically an allegory for capitalism and intergalactic Christianity? However, of all the very weird things in that very weird (but also oddly stylish and insightful) film, one of the most strange is Sting. The singer's turn as the villainous Feyd-Rautha is, at times, decidedly understated and in other instances something out of an off-off-Broadway production. This Feyd is both a slow, simmering psycho and some seething weirdo who looks ready to break out into song in an instant. In short, it's not how some folks would have approached or played the fiend of House Harkonnen, but it shows that Sting's acting choices have a certain charm and magic that's very much like his music career. He's acted several times since this role, but few turns could have ever been so wonderfully bizarre.

He's a devout yoga practitioner

If we're talking about Sting-centric stories, then we must talk about the stuff with tantric yoga. Now, this one's a bit more verifiable (including this recent ABC News report), but the singer studies the ancient practice as a means of engaging in marathon love-making with his wife, actress-producer Trudie Styler. Do we have questions? Dozens, but why pry needlessly into another pop star's life? Rather, the value of this revelation, much like with the Diddy royalties saga, is what it says about Sting. Like, how there's a kind of openness and vulnerability inherent to these statements, and that speaks to Sting's relationship with fans and the media. Or, that he's got a great wit and humor that really augments and extends the kind of music that he records. It could even be that he's exploring spirituality in a way that feels accessible. Regardless, it's another aspect of the Sting "legacy" that shows us the truly warm and unwavering man behind the songs. That, and he seemingly makes us all want to work out that much more.

He is a bass player like no other

Trapise around certain corners of Reddit, and you may find a few posts/threads with folks dumbfounded about Sting's playing style. The consensus is that the man's just a genuine freak of nature when it comes to slapping that sweet, sweet bass. Thanks to Mixdown Magazine, we know he plays a couple of fret-less Fender Precision basses from 1955 and 1957, and that style of guitar has an inherently textured feel and tone that makes all the difference. There's also the fact that he pulls regularly from diverse styles of funk and jazz, and that he assumes a kind of slapping style to manipulate the strings. So, what's that all mean if you're more of a musical layman? Well, just that the man thinks about and approaches music in a very novel way, and through this undefinable method, he has found a way to bridge musical divides, create engaging and deeply organic songs, and generally redefine the role of the bass in modern music. And, yes, that means a bassist is truly and undeniably cool at last, so that's neat.

He cares for the planet (and isn't a tool about it)

Heaps of rock and pop stars promote their personal activism. Admittedly, it's a little strange to have to market one's own baseline humanity, but anything to make the world a better place (and bump sales positions while you're at it). Sting's efforts don't feel nearly as overt, and he's spent years quietly supporting an array of campaigns and causes. Those aforementioned interests, mind you, often lean away from the more "traditional" causes of rock stars, including literacy and decriminalizing drug possession in the UK. (He's also been a staunch environmentalist before it was cool, and he co-founded the Rainforest Foundation in 1989.) So, who cares if a rock star is also a good person? It once again goes back to a theme among Sting's other activities: the man is all about forging a new path. Sure, it's hard to see his larger process, but Sting works in a way to maximize the good and the strange alike. He is, at his core, a force of justice. Even if said justice takes a rather non-traditional shape, you can't deny the results.