Sting Gives Dave The PG-Version Of How He Got His Name

Sting Gives Dave The PG-Version Of How He Got His Name | Letterman

Рет қаралды 137,541

2 жыл бұрын

Sting talks about acting, what it's like to be first rock band to play in Bombay and how he got his name. (Air date: 11/10/82)
#Sting #Letterman
Subscribe to Letterman: bit.ly/3GeOIAg
Follow Letterman on Social:
Facebook: / davidletterman
Instagram: / letterman
Twitter: / letterman
Welcome to the Letterman KZfaq Channel, home to all your favorite clips from Late Night and Late Show - as well as conversations with the writers, producers and performers who helped make it all happen. These highlights have been artisanly-produced, carefully-curated, and chosen completely at random by an old computer that used to pick numbers for the New York Lotto back in the 90’s.

Пікірлер: 322

@lynnturman8157 Жыл бұрын

One of the great singer songwriters. And nobody had a sound like the Police. One part jazz, one part punk, one part reggae.

@davidkyle5017 6 күн бұрын

Watching this in 2024 after all these years, how amazing to see/hear both Sting and Letterman so early in their careers. I was a sophomore in college ('78) when I first heard the Police and loved their spin on Punk and Reggae. Great time capsule this interview.

@RaulieAbreu-xs4kb 7 күн бұрын

Once again for the record. Gordon Sumner, Steve Borden and Pete Stanichick all WINNERS 🏆

@mediamannaman Жыл бұрын

Dave: "What was it like in Bombay?" Sting: "Nothing like Peoria." They played off of each other perfectly.

@johnb1150 Жыл бұрын

A joke lost on any non American as I'd never even heard of that place til this interview

@mikelbell5419 Жыл бұрын

I really don't understand the audience's non-reaction to Sting's amazing sense of humor. It seems that it took about three minutes before they realized he was hilarious.

@lucifer73 Жыл бұрын

40 years ago the dry, self-deprecating sense of humor the British are known for had not yet caught on.

@pczarnecki82 Жыл бұрын

Dude he is British , that's says a lot xD

@frankjamesbonarrigo7162 Жыл бұрын

What non reaction?

@frankjamesbonarrigo7162 Жыл бұрын

@@lucifer73 people are laughing, did they change the video? Where is this non reaction?

@v-town1980 Жыл бұрын

@@lucifer73 There were laughs, but it is British humor; surprise! In other countries it doesn't translate well. Not just in America.

@mitgift167 Ай бұрын

This is centuries ago. How old was Sting in 1984? Thirty-three. He is 73 today and has gained refinement in every aspect. Here you see a diamant roughly cut out of rocky attachment. Today Sting is a well-tested jewel with unfathomable depth. He tried every possible alley to find success and chose the hard way - riskng unemployment rather than the security of an established job as a teacher. He came across an alley that opened and is hard working up to this day, touring the world. It's performing that means happiness to him.

@joelanning4322 11 ай бұрын

Incredible talent. A voice terribly unique. I’ve heard him many times in concert and never been let down.

@piotrkanarek 10 ай бұрын

I've got the same thought. I've seen Sting 4 times (once it was The Police). Last time I saw him one mont ago in Kraków. It's always been so emotional for me, my wife and my daughters. Turning back in my car in the night to hotel I put some music on, the ladies protested saying WE WANT STING AGAIN! I wait his next gig in Poland. We will be there. Regards from Poland!

@bdbdthatsallfolks Ай бұрын

6:06 Sting politely gives the crowd the finger 🤣

@penguinista Жыл бұрын

Dave is amazing. He took the interview format and shifted it by several degrees, just with the power of his personality.

@ProfessorZoom2140 2 ай бұрын

He has a really cool voice!

@Sand-Walker13 2 ай бұрын

Yes he does.

@thewomble1509 8 күн бұрын

Nothing like his real voice. He altered his accent when he became famous.

@digitalportraitist 2 жыл бұрын

Saw him and his son at Wolf Trap a few years ago and he was amazing! i also met Stewart Copeland at a polo match in Maryland back in the mid 80s. Stewart stills rides and plays polo. He was a great gentleman and shook my hand.

@MalcolmDesigns Жыл бұрын

Those were the days in the early eighties, the music scene was so exciting and in '82 I was 19 and a freshman in college... Time and life go by much too fast!

@jibicusmaximus4827 5 ай бұрын

it was kinda exciting to see new wave and new romantic emerge from the ashes of punk

@caprise-music6722 2 ай бұрын

Ain’t that the truth. Make the most of the time you have here on earth

@ronzombie6541 Ай бұрын

College radio and alt rock still going strong '85-88.

@taketheredpill1452 Жыл бұрын

he took a test, as a child, that marked him as intellectually gifted. He is also very well read.

@lucasRem-ku6eb Жыл бұрын

But why he became a political freak ? Sting in the Police was good, as an old man, he became this lame political joker ...

@mikeh.8155 Жыл бұрын

@@lucasRem-ku6eb yeah saving the planet is so blasé

@BC08 3 ай бұрын

@@mikeh.8155 "Saving the planet" aka power/money grab in the name of something that sounds altruistic

@danielstevenson2772 Ай бұрын

I think he read a book by Nabokov among many others. He references literature quite often in his lyrics.

@TheGlendrum Жыл бұрын

4:54 "we don't need any money" Sting's referring to the deal they had with the record company where they didn't take a large advance for the recording. However if the record charted- the deal was structured so they would get a huge payout .

@babyboy1971 Жыл бұрын

I met him once, wonderfully quiet kind of guy. Very cool and grounded in his own mind.

@lucasRem-ku6eb Жыл бұрын

We met him more then once, but never when he was any good. I would love to see him in the early Police days, as a rebel, not as some old political freak he became ....

@capri2673 11 ай бұрын

@@lucasRem-ku6eb Political freak? You mean like saving the rain forests?

@nilpoints 2 күн бұрын

I worked for his dad delivering milk, nobody who grew up with that father could fail to be a grounded human.

@artisaprimus6306 8 ай бұрын

Great singer, song writer, actor, musician. He lead The Police to worldwide acclaim and seventeen Grammys and numerous other awards later, hes still performing. Amazing.

@ErikPortland Жыл бұрын

Dave listens intently. You can see that here. He always has.

@JM-db8ez 8 ай бұрын

It was kind of his job, so yeah, I guess you're right. lol

@kim.chaeyoung1765 5 ай бұрын

He's just so handsome

@vintagetrikesandquads4012 Жыл бұрын

Watching Dave and old Carson interviews, it just seems they had more interesting and articulate conversations back then.

@nilpoints 2 күн бұрын

People used to use words instead of emojis.

@Cerph Жыл бұрын

He cuts through the b.s. of this world, and shines brightly.

@BiggusDiggusable Жыл бұрын

Oh c'mon. He did a whole album with a lute. That is peak pretension

@catherine5090 20 күн бұрын

Great voice iv seen him twice and brilliant each time,plus still a hunk😛

@DelightLovesMovies 2 жыл бұрын

"that was more fun than I thought it was going to be.." haha

@3UZFE 2 ай бұрын

He is so mysterious

@BabaBest2000 Жыл бұрын

This is the best interview I've ever seen from either one.

@mcphersoncompany2126 2 жыл бұрын

I heard him give a solo concert a few years ago. He's grown a lot as a person and performer since this long-ago interview. Quite intelligent, generous, talented, all which conveyed a touch of self-deprecating humor.

@lucasRem-ku6eb Жыл бұрын

Without the Police he is nothing !

@3ver4fter53 Жыл бұрын

@lucas Rem You're right, Einstein, without his life, talent and work, he is nothing.

@lucasRem-ku6eb Жыл бұрын

@@3ver4fter53 now became nothing, go back in again, guess not.Great family guy now i guess, why go back ?

@3ver4fter53 Жыл бұрын

@@lucasRem-ku6eb I don't understand when you try to express yourself.

@lucasRem-ku6eb Жыл бұрын

@@3ver4fter53 old people can't understand normal things, you have issues.

@dianewinters8628 Жыл бұрын

Saw one of the last Police concerts with Roy Orbison in New York. They played, told jokes, and we all tossed around giant beach balls. One of my best memories.

@lucasRem-ku6eb Жыл бұрын

Hello Diane Winters, Roy Orbison was forgotten, friends in the industry, R&D people all were aware that we needed to support Orbison, sting was one of these people. Re Releasing all the material, touring Europe, i saw him too, the Hero of my Fathers generation, alive and kicking, he past away 2 month after that, but in the he became what he never was, a true rockstar, thanks to the traveling hillbillies, sting and all his friends in the industry

@dianewinters8628 Жыл бұрын

@@lucasRem-ku6eb thanks for that info. Yes he will be forever cool.

@jhchooo Жыл бұрын

Huh? Last Police Concerts were in 2008. Roy Orbison passed away in 1988.

@pabloapostar7275 Жыл бұрын

@@jhchooo Bands break up and then put on nostalgia shows decades later. The Police broke up in 1986.

@chrishill6915 8 ай бұрын

roy opened for police?

@andrewcarpenter9222 Жыл бұрын

One of the best, maybe the best concerts I have ever seen, The Police.

@MultiPetercool Жыл бұрын

I still love hearing Toyah Willcocks and Phil Daniels tell stories about Sting on the set of Quadraphenia. “Gordon is a Moron” 😂😜😉

@MultiPetercool 17 күн бұрын

@@DameTremonti Toyah is treasure. Fripp has great taste.

@user-td4zp4gq2p Ай бұрын

When i met him he was devoid of personality! Great looking guy. Educated, can write, play he does it all. I guess arrogance comes the talent.

@steelyman08 7 ай бұрын

Peoria!! Nailed it. I lived there & can't imagine The Police playing there. Wow!

@elquixotedelascanarias Жыл бұрын

Letterman's fashion sense was sending out an SOS.

@Dan-nt2yb 2 жыл бұрын

The first 2 Police albums.⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

@daveg1431 Жыл бұрын

he was great, really funny 💛🤟

@DancatzMuzik 5 ай бұрын

I'm glad that Stewart and Andy have recently told the actual stories of their origins on long form podcasts rather than the enigmatic half-truths from Sting here.

@user-me1gd8tr2v 5 ай бұрын

thanks Dave for this interview clip. It was hilarious! in some parts. I love Sting's accent, being from Britain. i just found this Jan 2024 & Happy New Year!

@thewomble1509 8 күн бұрын

If you are really from Britain, which I doubt, you'd know that this is not the voice that Sting grew up with. it's an act. If he was speaking with a Newcastle accent, you would need sub titles............................

@angelagoodwin5758 Жыл бұрын

Love this man❤❤❤

@tonyjedioftheforest1364 Жыл бұрын

We had a very dirty smelly man at work that some ignorant people nicknamed stink. He was a bit deaf and thought they were calling him sting. That name stuck. They also called him dirt and again he miss heard and thought they were calling him Dirk. That name also stuck and he answered to both. It turned out that he had been in the Falklands war in the artillery and this is how he had damaged his hearing. When they found out he was treated with respect and was called by his real name Ian. He was a lovely inoffensive bloke who was a pleasure to work with.

@lucasRem-ku6eb Жыл бұрын

He just stopped being a teacher here, i have seen his school, 'don't stand so close so my' school girls, it was all real... Sting, his shirt, his attitude ! That was his childhood name. Who loves the Police, peace guy ?

@kristinemunholland8980 2 жыл бұрын

Late to seeing this, but what strikes me most is how nervous Dave appears as the interviewer here. Nervous may not be the best word choice, but you get the gist - sort of supplicating, deferential. Yet he became the most confident and important late night interviewer ever. Hell, he hosted POTUS #44 repeatedly and did so with aplomb. No one he couldn't have an informed, confident exchange with. Appreciate how instructive this 40 year old (!!!!!!) video is....

@allendracabal0819 Жыл бұрын

Well said, and I agree with all of your observations. I once read a description of POTUS #44 as being "preternaturally confident". I feel the same way about Dave starting just a few years after this interview was taped.

@v-town1980 Жыл бұрын

I love that early "nervous" Dave. Most of his best interviews, skits etc are from that era.

@nilpoints 2 күн бұрын

Sting is a very confident and articulate intellectual, he intimidates people even though he's usually very pleasant.

@merlomusic7856 2 ай бұрын

One of the greatest rock singers with the great Dave Letterman. Letterman still cracks my ass up. You can tell that Sting was amused by him as well. Both are among my favorites at what they do which means I have great taste of course. 😂

@tomitstube Жыл бұрын

their first album took the u.s. by storm if you aren't familiar, roxanne a massive hit, they get called a lot of things but they were kind of forerunners to alternative rock for me.

@catherinewilliams9680 11 ай бұрын

I had no idea he promoted Brimstone and Treacle in the US.

@TheShaneBot 2 жыл бұрын

This was great to see - thank you. And - I don't think he was an ass or scoffing at anything - I think he was taking it all in good humor and having a laugh with it all - but in a cool, conserved kinda way. I really enjoyed it.

@manuelceballos11 2 жыл бұрын

yeap. I agree. Is just the way he was that could come across as arrogance.

@HughGenvoenni Жыл бұрын

I think it’s just the subtle yet mildly self-deprecating humor thats very British and might rub Americans who aren’t used to it the wrong way

@dogmart Жыл бұрын

"...but in a cool, conserved kinda way." That is, being English. :)

@v-town1980 Жыл бұрын

@@HughGenvoenni SOME Americans. We're a big country. There are tons of different people here.

@wlouisharris 10 ай бұрын

To me Sting is the character he was from Quadraphenia. Smug and mysterious. Great artist. He could have accomplished a lot more I think with the Police but he was tired of the formula went more in a jazz direction. He didn't have any interest in writing more hit rock albums. The Police could have done what Bono and U2 did cranking out more hit albums and huge arena tours but just not where Sting wanted to go.

@steelyman08 7 ай бұрын

I'm glad of that. The man's a genius & has tackled just about everything. "Ten Summoner's Tales" is worth it alone. I don't dig into personal lives too much. You can tell from the comment section that the music's being eclipsed by how people feel about him on a personal level. Tends to spoil the music for me! Certain YT channels make a killing dragging artists through the muck. I'm glad I don't enjoy them. (And I did not perceive your comment to be negative at all).

@EM-fd8xe Жыл бұрын

I remember when this first aired.

@Foma_USA_White_Dragon Жыл бұрын

Sting real man ,real people ....

@lucasRem-ku6eb Жыл бұрын

Sting is not that, sorry..... He is a Rebel only !

@SummerofKittyLove Жыл бұрын

Wow he was so cute

@sleepydragonzarinthal3533 Жыл бұрын

Now watch his recent interview with Beato and you'll understand this interview and his younger persona much better

@ThinkerThunker Жыл бұрын

I would've sworn the name came from the sword of the same name, given to Frodo by the Elves.

@markjusticevipond6642 3 ай бұрын

I enjoyed learning about The Police from Sting, a gracious Knight!

@johnmulhausen2322 2 жыл бұрын

Nice pen, Sting!

@marcweissman5752 8 ай бұрын

that he gave to Phoebe 😂

@neuvocastezero1838 Жыл бұрын

I sort of figured "Sting" was a play on words for fronting a band called "The Police", with a drummer that might be called "Perp Walk", and a guitarist named "The Bracelets".

@marcweissman5752 8 ай бұрын

Nope, but the whole bumblebee reference is true. However it was the trombone player member in the Phoenix Jazzmen who coined the name, not someone from school.

@colourfulmagic Жыл бұрын

Sensitive skin.. I can tell.. How cute to be young.. I like the interview.. Sting..

@just-sayin67 Жыл бұрын

41 years later, look at all he's done! (He was my first love, before Morten Harket)

@smartbart80 Жыл бұрын

7:20 the nickname question

@paulonorato7501 2 жыл бұрын

Cool

@markusthedrummer8143 7 ай бұрын

4:26 Hey hey Letterman predicts the future!!!!!!!!!

@gh-vi9tk 4 ай бұрын

On another video interview, Sting gave Bernard "Benny" Green, a British jazz saxophonist, as the reason for the nickname.

@Dutcharmytent Жыл бұрын

You cannot beat the subtle English humour which we are famous for.

@wordup897 Жыл бұрын

or the humility

@elkalabaw7665 Жыл бұрын

@@wordup897 now that was subtle.

@markpalmer8083 Жыл бұрын

I wasn't rolling on the floor.

@thewomble1509 Жыл бұрын

@@markpalmer8083 That's the humble part of the humour at work................

@frankjamesbonarrigo7162 Жыл бұрын

What jokes am I missing? Please point them out

@tonyt8805 2 жыл бұрын

"Outlandish D'Amour" Debut when I was in 10th grade 🔥 🔥 🔥 🔥

@noahstrodtman6121 2 жыл бұрын

Outlandish?

@joadbreslin5819 Жыл бұрын

That's outrageous!

@tonyt8805 Жыл бұрын

“Outlandos” 🙈🙈🙈 I hate Autocorrect 😡😡😡

@brunodavidferreira5781 10 ай бұрын

He looks like Mcguiver...ir Mcguiver looks like Sting?!?🤔🤣🤔😂

@TheMICMusicInspirationChannel Жыл бұрын

I think he was embarrassed to admit that they bleached their hair for a chewing gum commercial.

@joniroxanne96 9 ай бұрын

That "mysteriously" vanished. 🤨

@amandaoliver7294 7 ай бұрын

LoL epic video made... bumble bee cover alls (sting) hence

@aslanpedersen7467 5 ай бұрын

When he sings he sounds like Steve Perry from Journey.

@kristine6996 Жыл бұрын

He is playing catch me if you can.

@normanau7947 2 жыл бұрын

Props to Sting for acknowledging the Band. They were so raw and tight when it was just the four of them.

@annika_panicka 2 жыл бұрын

Four?

@kennedy27403 2 жыл бұрын

@@annika_panicka Paul, Syd, Will, and Anton. Before they added the horns and second gtr player

@annika_panicka 2 жыл бұрын

@@kennedy27403 Oh-Lol! I thought he was talking about The Police. I didn't hear him acknowledge Shaffer et al. Thanks.

@joadbreslin5819 Жыл бұрын

@@kennedy27403 Actually, it was Paul, Hiram, Will, and Steve that Sting was acknowledging.

@marcweissman5752 8 ай бұрын

@@annika_panickaSame here lol. I thought maybe he included Henri lol

@felixthelmocevallosmorales41 10 ай бұрын

David Michael Letterman (12 de abril de 1947) es un presentador, comediante, escritor y productor de televisión estadounidense.

@burnikshrapnel 7 ай бұрын

Now that's John Constantine right there

@freebee8221 10 ай бұрын

Iv always been a huge fan of MacGyver 😀😀

@ziggyustar3137 Жыл бұрын

Back Stage at the Max Bell Arena back stage passes/// I get to see the concert from the stage I was early 20' now almost 64/ Roxanne/ I have every album still of course autographs from all three

@riproar11 Жыл бұрын

In an SNL skit when Sting was the show guest, Chris Kattan auditioned as a dancer, even though they were only auditioning women. Kris addressed Sting's wife as "Mrs. Sting".

@lucasRem-ku6eb Жыл бұрын

SNL, thanks, yeah, that was great ! He should do more SNL, the best political comedy sketches are on SNL, wow, i love that show !

@riproar11 Жыл бұрын

@@lucasRem-ku6eb Remember Steve Martin as James Bond and sting was the wealthy villain "Goldsting"? "The pretzels are no longer complimentary Mr. Bond!"

@mk8530 Жыл бұрын

07:30 There you have it.

@catherinewilliams9680 11 ай бұрын

I would love to see an interview between the 70 year old versions of these two.

@fleeb Жыл бұрын

Rather amusing that a band named Police got its start stealing equipment, heh.

@xScooterAZx Жыл бұрын

Well,..where's the PG version for the reason for his name?? Baaaah!

@deanl0 Жыл бұрын

Yeah so that was edited out.. was just wondering what came out of his Jean Jacket Pocket .. Pen

@matheusmicrohobby Жыл бұрын

I was thinking it was the actor from MacGyver 🤣

@fabrisoto Жыл бұрын

👌🏼

@peterhaslund Жыл бұрын

Always weirdly detached from our world, yet writing great songs about it...

@Gibberishus Жыл бұрын

In short. Someone called him Sting. And it stuck.

@ernie316 Жыл бұрын

He nearly slips back into Geordie a few times

@markpalmer8083 Жыл бұрын

This was pretentious RP.

@MrMjolnir69 Жыл бұрын

Well spotted. But that's the only (smart) approach when you get a shot at a us audience.

@tcrijwanachoudhury Жыл бұрын

@@markpalmer8083 apparently true RP doesn't actually exist 🤔

@m.omoirokingyo 4 ай бұрын

6:06 stingy probably flipping someone off

@PhilRounds 11 ай бұрын

I almost saw the Poughkeepsie show, but i was too lazy to go out that night. :/

@v-town1980 Жыл бұрын

Yeah, Sting's a typical cocky, arrogant limey in the US here. But his limey humor is clear and present. That we love. Dave, of course, was fantastic and raw back then. Nervous and sarcastic. Love it!

@exessex3522 2 жыл бұрын

So what's the non-clean version?

@joadbreslin5819 Жыл бұрын

It's the exact same story, but with the word "fookin" sprinkled in a few times.

@mrsherwood2599 10 ай бұрын

When he did Letterman in '85 it was a little...different lol.

@TheAgentAssassin Жыл бұрын

At least he's humble. -_-

@marcofreitas3844 6 ай бұрын

At 2:19, Sting says about the movie´s director, "...his ???of judgement..." Can anybody help?

@marcofreitas3844 3 ай бұрын

Thank you!@@nicksterj

@preesi1403 2 жыл бұрын

The first time Sting met his hero, Elton John, Elton was wearing a Minnie Mouse Costume

@whitebirchtarot Жыл бұрын

@@pashadyne I’ll never think of Mickey Mouse the same way again. 😁

@v-town1980 Жыл бұрын

Well, he IS a fruit.

@whitebirchtarot Жыл бұрын

@@v-town1980 Who, Mickey? Nah!

@lucasRem-ku6eb Жыл бұрын

Elton John is a very ugly guy, so he needed costume outfits...

@whitebirchtarot Жыл бұрын

@@lucasRem-ku6eb Beauty comes from within, but I guess you wouldn’t know that.

@davegarciaofficial Жыл бұрын

In the process of changing the nose :)

@longlivebytor Жыл бұрын

Interesting interview. How well did Sting know his bandmates at this point? Stuart Copeland is not from Washington (State or DC).

@OMGWTFLOLSMH Жыл бұрын

He was born in Virginia, which is literally across the bridge from D.C.

@v-town1980 Жыл бұрын

@@OMGWTFLOLSMH Still not the same.

@jimimurti Жыл бұрын

Knowing people has not so much to do with the exact location they come from.

@lucasRem-ku6eb Жыл бұрын

Larry Massengale, Sting is a loner, it's his will, or he is out, they all needed to follow him. Somerset, Stuart Copeland too ! Only his daddy was CIA spy guy in Libanon, Copeland was not American at all ! Know your band, why you cry that, he was a lonesome rebel !

@maltmustang5075 Жыл бұрын

Sting may not have known exactly where his bandmate was from, but I'll bet he knew how to spell his first name correctly! Just funning with you man, great channel name!

@escuipo Жыл бұрын

it better sting than stink!!....🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣😂😂😂😂😂😂

@frankjamesbonarrigo7162 Жыл бұрын

If I was him I would think I was Mephistopheles too . Fucking great music, millionaire, good looks. He was in top of the world

@lucasRem-ku6eb Жыл бұрын

It's just POP music, he was never on Drake levels... College rock band...

@CyberKaz 11 ай бұрын

@@lucasRem-ku6eblol drake lol

@tonymaner5510 11 ай бұрын

@@lucasRem-ku6ebmaybe you are just simply envious

@thewomble1509 6 ай бұрын

@@lucasRem-ku6eb Said no one ever.

@5milessep Ай бұрын

A very good interview by Letterman. But I’ll never forget how one Australian Sixty Minutes interviewer conducted himself with Sting, trying to make a big point of calling out his real name a number of time during the segment, all I could think at the time was what a dill. But I shouldn’t have been surprised because that program hardly ever produced mind provoking material.