Sting perhaps causes sailor great distress (4,4)
I believe the answer is:
rock star
'sting perhaps' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I can't see how they can define each other.
'sailor great distress' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'sailor' could be 'tar' (slang term for a sailor) and 'tar' is found within the answer.
The remaining letters 'rocks' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).
'causes' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for rock star that I've seen before include "Pop idol" , "David Bowie or Prince, say" , "Successful popular musician" , "Bono, say" , "Very famous pop singer" .)