Sting and Bono: should rock stars stay out of politics?
By Neil McCormick - December 2nd, 2009


Sting: the man behind the beard Photo: JANE MINGAY

Sting got a grilling on Newsnight this week. Appearing by satellite link up to discuss his latest campaign to protect the Kayapo tribe of the Amazonian rainforest, he got well and truly Paxman’d. The famously scornful host dragged the rock star out of his celebrity comfort zone, challenging his real understanding of the issues and his commitment to cause and generally treating his position with scornful scepticism. “You’re not being blamed for it (the global environmental crisis), you’re just being accused of hypocrisy, that’s all,” said Paxman, with trademark sneering reasonableness.

Sting was visibly squirming in his seat as he tried to defend himself, not a good look for a rock star. Not even his claim that he had demarcated an area the size of Belgium to “ameliorate” his “admittedly large” carbon footprint was enough to satisfy Paxman. “The difficulty is, of course, that as long as you are open to the accusation of being a hypocrite, it potentially damages those causes with which you are associated,” sneered the presenter. (Meanwhile, I’m still wondering where Sting keeps this carbon offset area the size of Belgium? Maybe it is Belgium!? Could he have secretly bought the country to convert it into sustainable forest?)

Imagine if all celebrity interviews were like this. Cut them off mid-sentence and force them to justify their very existence. “I’m sorry, Sir Elton, you haven’t answered the question. How can your statement, and I quote, ‘Saturday night’s alright for fighting’, be viewed as anything other than an explicit incitement to violence? It’s not really the kind of sentiments we might expect to hear from the head of an AIDS foundation, is it? Self-appointed or not.”

Sting’s discomfort in the face of Paxman’s confrontational approach suggests he is ill-suited to the realities of the political frontline. Or at least ill-prepared. When politicians appear before the media, they have teams of people ensuring they have their facts up to date, advising them on how to present the issue, and media training them to stonewall in the face of uncomfortable questions. Sting didn’t even look like he’d brought his stylist. Most celebrity interviews are shallow, fawning affairs (if entertainment journalists are going to stick a knife in, we usually wait till our subject’s back is turned). But if celebrities are going to use their fame to champion political causes, then they surely have to be ready to defend their position in the rather more brutal arena of political debate.

That other rock and roll champion of the down-pressed, Bono, gets this all the time. This week, speaking at the launch of yet another charitable initiative (Nike’s Lace Up, Save Lives campaign), he batted off accusations of hypocrisy by essentially admitting them. “I’ve been blessed and I’ve been over-rewarded for what I do and I’m trying to give my time and my resources. But, you know, I’m a rich rock star, so shoot me.” Possibly a dangerous invitation, but his essential point was clear, and delivered with winning humour.

Between the lines of Paxman’s bullying of Sting lay the implicit question ‘should rock stars (and other celebrities and unelected individuals with an audience, from movie stars to our dear Prince of Wales) stay out of politics?’ Personally, I don’t see why. They are human beings, interacting with the world, and if they become engaged by an issue, then they have every right to put their time and energy (and often their art) in service of their beliefs. Mostly what they are doing is an extension of their roles as entertainers: banging a drum for a cause. As Sting pointed out, “my concern was that the voice of the Indians was not being heard in this issue, they are very rarely listened to. I went to Sao Paolo last week and convened a press conference and the BBC came, and they wouldn’t have come without the “celeb” or the “lovey” turning up, that’s just the world we live in.” Sting defined his job as “to try and give a platform to people who have no voice.” Certainly the plight of an Amazonian tribe whose existence is threatened by the building of multi-billion dollar dam by the Brazilian government wouldn’t have got a look in on Newsnight were it not for the rock star’s involvement. Which surely makes Paxman complicit in the very area of celebrity politics he was pouring so much scorn on.

It might not have been the easiest gig he ever played, or the most receptive audience, but ultimately Sting got the job done.

Meanwhile, I am indebted to my colleague on Twitter, Mapsadaisical, for this sneak preview from a forthcoming episode of Newsnight, in which Paxman tackles the vexing topic of The Righteous Brothers ‘You’ve Lost That Loving Feeling’.

Paxman: ““Instead of repeatedly pointing out that someone has lost something, why not help them to look for it? Suggest that they retrace their steps, perhaps? Ask them when was the last time they remember actually having that loving feeling.” Paxman removes glasses, stares hard. “Mr Righteous, are you just going to STAND THERE or are you going to DO SOMETHING?”

telegraph