The performance by Robert Downey Jr. at Sting’s 60th birthday celebration continues to amaze music fans. One common response is, “Ironman can sing—like that?!” Like any celebrity of his caliber, Downey Jr. is modest about his friendship with Sting. He describes how they first met when Downey was in his mid-twenties and was fascinated by the notion that he was a gifted songwriter. After one of his concerts, he attempted to pass a demo cassette to Sting in the stairwell. Sting was taken by surprise.
Sting’s wife, Trudy Styler, a fan of Less Than Zero, spotted Robert Downey Junior. “How kind of you to have come,” she said, greeting the young actor. Not until 25 years later, when they told Downey they had found the tape and asked if he wanted it back, did Sting and Trudy bring it up. If they listened to it, Downey mocked the notion that they could wind back the cassette and tape the case shut once more. Fortunately, Downey did not face any obstacles during Sting’s 2011 birthday fundraising.
Every time Downey starts singing, you think of one of the most recognizable rock voices, Nils Lofgren, a solo artist and former member of the E-Street Band. People also bring up the name Robert Palmer. Geena 99 comments, saying, “Wow! That is amazing, beyond belief! incredibly gifted! Who would have guessed that Mr. Tony Stark had such a voice and could sing such difficult Sting songs!?” What is wrong with this man? I’ve listened to this song dozens of times.” With similar zeal, 850thx says. D. Miles says only, “Speechless!” It was not mentioned.
Howard Stern conducted a more in-depth interview with Downey in 2016. He claimed that Sting, deeply moved by Downey’s performance in 1980, had ruined the Police song “Driven to Tears” by Zenyatta Mondatta. Downey would not be moved. Sting, a performer Downey described as “practically perfect,” evaluated and taught Downey during rehearsals. It’s no secret to many Music Man readers that Sting and Downey had previously worked together. It was featured on Ally McBeal.
In its April 30, 2001 episode, the comedy show Cloudy Skies, Chance of Parade featured that wonderful duet. In one incident, Sting happens to be in town and faces legal action from a cuckolded husband. Downey’s portrayal of Sting’s attorney, Larry Paul, demands extraordinary efforts to compensate for his absence from Ally’s birthday celebration. Fortunately, Sting realizes that Larry won’t be there for his girlfriend’s birthday and offers to perform with him to support him. Whoa, what a hoot!
The Sting duet is not Downey’s only singing appearance. His numerous soundtrack credits include The Singing Detective (2003), Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005), and Chaplin (1992). The Futurist was the title of Robert Downey Jr.’s solo project from 2004. The album, featuring eight original songs, garnered mixed reviews and received a 3.5/5 rating on Allmusic. However, because he spent time away from his family, Downey declared that it was his final solo project. Robert Downey Jr.’s most commercially successful track of his career is a song he performed on an Ally McBeal Christmas episode. The 2000 album Ally McBeal: A Very Ally Christmas features this Joni Mitchell version. Everyone who reads Music Man is likely listening. How about giving it a shot?