I'm changing my name to Shart. No one will know if it's noun or verb.
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
I'm changing my name to Shart. No one will know if it's noun or verb.
I’m sure many of you have seen the Rick Beato interview with Sting and his guitarist, Dominic Miller. It was a fascinating look into songwriting, basslines, and (inadvertently) one gargantuan ego.
It was a great conversation. But when Rick began to discuss the other members of The Police (Stewart Copeland and Andy Summers), Sting stepped in and essentially gave himself credit for their contributions to the band.
At some points it was subtle. Others, not so much. But I found it to be very off-putting that one of my all-time favorite musicians showed so little humility in dealing with his bandmates.
Did anyone else notice that?
The Flintstones Theme is "Rhythm Changes"...a common Jazz progression, right?I was just going to mention that.
My favorite part is when the amazing musicians in the band all start jamming on a bebop version of The Flintstones theme song, of all things. Sting tries to join in, but can't keep up. They all laughed at him for playing in the wrong key, and it really took him down a notch.![]()
Ha! You know, I never really thought about it before. I didn't actually watch it too much as a kid; we lived in the country and got three channels if the weather was just right ...The Flintstones Theme is "Rhythm Changes"...a common Jazz progression, right?![]()
I’m sure many of you have seen the Rick Beato interview with Sting and his guitarist, Dominic Miller. It was a fascinating look into songwriting, basslines, and (inadvertently) one gargantuan ego.
It was a great conversation. But when Rick began to discuss the other members of The Police (Stewart Copeland and Andy Summers), Sting stepped in and essentially gave himself credit for their contributions to the band.
At some points it was subtle. Others, not so much. But I found it to be very off-putting that one of my all-time favorite musicians showed so little humility in dealing with his bandmates.
Did anyone else notice that?
I like to read musician bios. Some stories are not pretty (Miles Davis?). It's just life. Someone else may throw the 1st stone...it ain't gonna be me.One of my favorite and in my opinion underappreciated, bassist is Gene Simmons. He is the reason I picked up the bass in the first place and went on to discover other bassist like Jaco, Geddy, Steve Harris, Stanley and etc. His melodic, dirty, and growly bass lines, hooked me on bass.
Now it goes without saying that Gene and Paul could be D.Bags at times. I just learned to ignore that part and appreciate the two and other members of the band for the great music they gave me over the years. The sound track to my life.
That old expression that I think goes like, don't get to know your heroes, or something along those lines are pretty true. Just enjoy the music and talent my friend. Just be the best you that you can be. That is my logic anyway.
I guarantee you that most of your favorite musicians would not be a great hang.
"He received the nickname “Sting” from one of his Phoenix Jazzmen bandmates because of the black-and-yellow striped sweater he often wore while performing. After graduating in 1974, Sting taught at St. Paul's First School in Cramlington for two years."Although it takes a bit of ego to shun your given name for a noun more special, it takes a bit more hipsterishness(?) to go "No, that won't do. It's too mainstream! Any common criminal or Hell's Angel can be a noun. I want to be "THE (noun), NO wait! I want to be a (symbol)! And if that doesn't work out I'll be The artist formerly known as (symbol)! Actually, that's just trying too hard. It needs to be more subtle and annoying. I'll be a noun that is more commonly a (verb)."
I actually think this sort of thing went through his head.
Actually, he took a decent risk with the Blue Turtles band. Fans of the The Police, MTV may have poo poo'd the experiment. Jazz fans weren't too thrilled, either.Sting is the rare talent that made it big in a band, then said, "screw you guys, I'M THE STAR!!" then he went and started another band and made it even bigger. Not too many of those. Gotta have an ego to do that, much less succeed at his level!
Tell that to George Harrison.Yea but compared to Sting those guys are barely more famous than you or me. You don't really get to Sting's level with the "aw shucks" routine. It takes a big ego to operate at that level of fame for such a long time.
Arrogance and taking credit for other people's work doesn't protect artists from exploitation. Humility doesn't mean you're a push-over.Put it this way: the music industry is an efficient system of sleazebags extracting value from artists. How well are meekness and humility really going to serve you in such cynical conditions?
Have they? I don't think that's clear. We can't roll back the universe, change Sting's personality, and see if a Kinder, Gentler Sting would be more or less successful.I'm sure the qualities that you and I find offputting in a YouTube interview have served Sting well and are actually highly advantageous in his line of work.
truth!In my appreciation for the art produced by people who were prostitutes, hopeless drug addicts, thieves, pimps, alcoholics, domestic abusers, etc., an artist with an enormous ego displays a mere quaint affectation.