Sting Weighs In on X Factor

Sting celebrates his 60th birthday on October 2 and is marking his 25 year solo career with the release of Sting: 25 Years, a definitive box-set retrospective that covers the highlights and rareties of his work (release date September 28).  Speaking in an interview with The Observer, the former Police frontman explained that he still values struggling to earn a living during his early career.  When asked about shows like American Idol, The Voice and The X Factor he says, "I don't envy kids who go straight from X Factor to record deals. It's kind of a dangerous trajectory. That's my opinion."  Meanwhile, Sting is celebrating his birthday with a concert, that will raise money for the Robin Hood Foundation, at the Beacon Theater in New York City this Saturday (October 1).  He'll be joined by Bruce Springsteen, Lady Gaga, Stevie Wonder, Mary J. Blige, Herbie Hancock, Robert Downey Jr., Vince Gill, Will.i.am, Rufus Wainwright, Branford Marsalis, Billy Joel, and Chris Botti.