|
|
|
Simply Sting
By : Silvia Maestrutti
“I’m not very good at talking, I’m much better at singing,” reveals Sting before the interview. At 52, while on tour for his recent album Sacred Love, the British icon’s autobiography, Broken Music: A Memoir, made the bestseller list, proving to his fans what they had known all along: he’s also an excellent writer.
What prompted you to write an autobiography?
I began writing it during the time I was doing the album, when I was in a very reflective period in my life. I found myself writing longer sentences than what I was used to; I found it to be a more direct way of telling a story since songs tend to be somewhat vague. It’s not a conventional autobiography—I think that’s what has intrigued people even more. I needed to explore that time in my life that few people know about, which has shaped me into the man I am today. The book does not have stories about celebrities; rather, it tells the story prior to my fame: my childhood in Newcastle, England and my struggles to become a musician.
Tales about celebrities are replaced in his book with painful revelations. The singer recalls the relationship between his parents during his childhood, in particular the shock he went through after discovering his mother’s infidelity when he was only seven years old and the fact that his father knew but preferred to ignore it. It bothers Sting to have lived so many years in such a hypocritical environment. At the time, his only form of escape was banging an old piano to create “broken music,” hence the title of his memoir. When his parents passed away in 1987, he didn’t attend their funerals.
“I said good-bye to them in my own way—I forgave myself for that a long time ago. Besides, I’m the victim here, and I don’t feel guilty.”
His novel recounts his childhood and adolescence, as well as his beginnings with The Police, the rock group that made him world famous until his departure in 1984, from which he emerged with a successful career as a soloist. Once again in the book and the interview, Sting is adamant that there won’t be a reunion.
“I wanted to experiment with other types of music, that’s why I left. To reunite with the band would be like going back to school, and I don’t want to wear short pants again,” he says.
Besides the mentioning of The Police, Sting insists that his book is about “a normal person living a normal life.” And even though both photos on the book’s hardcover edition—one of him as a boy and another more recent one—are proof that physically there haven’t been great changes except for the obvious passing of time, it’s impossible to believe that Sting’s glamorous life is anything close to “normal.”
You own a house in London, one in Italy, another in Los Angeles, and also in New York. Is that some type of global strategy?
The thing is that I ‘ve spent almost all my life in hotels. I enjoy very much traveling with my family and that’s why I prefer to have a home base when working in those areas of the world.
You’re always surrounded by celebrities and tempted by worldly distractions. Is it difficult balancing that frivolous aspect of fame with that other more spiritual side of you that’s well known?
Balance is the key word. I’m always trying to balance my spiritual evolution and all the material things that come with my career. I have to be sure that there’s a balance between my professional life and family life. It’s very important for me that one does not overshadow the other.
How much of your personal well-being do you attribute to yoga?
Lots. With yoga, the idea is that one can connect the romantic love, the philosophical love and the love for God, and, in that way, always be connected with everything.
Is “Sacred Love,” like the title of your album, also related to yoga?
I think so. Yoga, by definition, means to connect your spirit with the physical. Religion also means the same, re-ligare (to reconnect or join). Materialism isn’t connected with spirituality in any way. Maybe we should redefine religion, that way we can connect ourselves. Love can do that if we take it seriously.
Do you think that it will help the world survive its crises?
Sacred love requires a lot more time to save the world. I think it’s natural that we’re always in search of answers that revolve around the planet’s health. My album has no message; rather, it’s more of a personal diary. I began writing it on September 12, 2001, and it reflects what I’ve been thinking about philosophy, politics, religion, music and sex. It also reflects my anxiety about wars.
There’s a song that talks specifically about those not benefiting from peace. Are you referring to those in power?
In that song (“This War”), I’m talking about those people who appear to have vested interests in arms because they make money. In most of the world’s conflicts, the majority of the arms are made by first-world industrialized nations, such as Germany, France, Great Britain, and the United States. We are creating them for money. I speak about that.
In another song, “Inside,” you say that we build walls around ourselves. What are you referring to?
It’s more of a metaphor. I say that the heart is like a city behind walls if you surround it with barbed wires. You can’t love that way. To open the door and open yourself to love can be risky, but I think it’s worth the risk. You have to share—there’s no other alternative. To live in an isolated community, whether it’s in your house or your heart, is not the solution. It’s part of the problem.
Sting does not appear to have that problem. He’s been married for over 20 years to his second wife, actress Trudie Styler, with whom he has four children, in addition to the two he had from a previous marriage. The oldest, Joseph, from his first marriage, is following in his father’s musical steps. “The only advice I give him is to practice a lot,” he says.
Do you think it’s important that your children admire you as a musician?
It is more important that they admire me as a person and as a father, and then the musician part can follow.
There’s almost no mention of Trudie in the autobiography. Will there be a second installment?
I don’t think so. But I don’t have a good perspective right now; she’s lived with me all these last years. Maybe in about 10 years, when I look back, I’ll be able to understand better the whole picture.
You always look impeccable. Women admire you and consider you a sex symbol. Does that bother you?
I always want to look good, to present myself in the best way possible. And yes, I love the fact that women look at me. I find it stimulating.
Do think of yourself as ambitious?
In my life? No. I like my life. I like my family. I like my career. I really don’t have great ambitions; I only aspire to be happy.
Book your trip today! Visit www.aa.com, call American/American Eagle reservations at 1-800-433-7300, or call your travel agent for more information.
|
