Music lovers are still in awe of Robert Downey Jr.’s performance at Sting’s 60th birthday party. “Ironman can sing – like that?!” is a typical reaction. Downey Jr. is modest about his acquaintance with Sting, as is fitting for a celebrity of his ilk. He recounts their initial encounter as occurring when Downey was in his mid-twenties and captivated by the idea that he has exceptional songwriting abilities. In the staircase after a Sting concert, he tried to palm a demo cassette onto Sting. It caught Sting off guard.
As a fan of Less Than Zero, Sting’s wife Trudy Styler was able to spot Robert Downey Jr. As she greeted the young actor, she remarked, “How kind of you to have come.” Until they informed Downey they had recovered the tape and asked if he wanted it back, 25 years later, Sting and Trudy didn’t bring it up. Downey deadpanned the idea that they could rewind the cassette and tape the case shut again if they listened to it. Thankfully, this was not an obstacle to Sting’s 2011 birthday fundraiser, where Downey was featured.
