sting

Sting has never hid his pretensions. In fact, he's gone out of his way to flaunt them, going all the way back to the Police, when he casually referenced Vladimir Nabokov in the band's first Top 10 U.S. hit and then explored Jungian philosophies on the band's biggest-selling album. Things only got worse with his solo career.

Sting's latest project, the stage musical 'The Last Ship,' will premiere on Broadway in 2014.

Those hoping to hear Sting perform songs from his upcoming album 'The Last Ship' onstage will have to be pretty lucky. The singer has announced that the only concerts he'll perform in support of the album will be a series of 10 dates at New York City's tiny Public Theater, which will double as a benefit for the venue.

It's been a decade since Sting last released a project with original material, and his upcoming album may actually stop short of being a true Sting album. 'The Last Ship' is scheduled for Sept. 24. It will be a collection of songs Sting helped write for a musical of the same name.

Mickey Sumner, Sting's daughter, has been racking up some great reviews for her role in the new indie movie 'Frances Ha.' The 29-year-old Sumner -- whose mom is Sting's longtime wife, movie producer and actress Trudie Styler -- gets second billing in the film behind star Greta Gerwig, indie movies' latest It Girl.

Elton John and Paul Simon were among the stars who helped raise more than $80 million at a benefit held Monday night (May 13) in New York City. Bono and Sting also were on hand at the 25th anniversary Robin Hood Foundation gala at Jacob Javits Center.

Sting joined pop stars Bruno Mars and Rihanna to perform a reggae-themed medley in honor of Bob Marley at the 2013 Grammy Awards telecast.

There's no orchestra this time, and nary a lute to be found. For the third consecutive year -- possibly a record for him -- Sting has realized that he's at his best when fronting a rock band. The singer announced dates for the 2013 version of the Back to Bass tour he's been on since 2011.

Back in June we reported that Bruce Springsteen had been named as MusiCares' Person of the Year for 2013. Today, the organization announced, via press release, the list of stars who will perform at this year's tribute benefit, which will be take place on Friday, Feb. 8, 2013 at the Los Angeles Convention Center.

The wind and rain that arrived with Hurricane Sandy earlier this week are now nothing more than a memory, but the hard work of rebuilding has just begun -- and an impressive array of rock stars are banding together to help.