The Police won’t be knocking on each other’s doors anytime soon

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It seems that a lot of successful bands experience conflicts and legal disputes as time passes, despite their long-term collaborations in producing remarkable music and performances. The Police is another example among numerous instances where such issues occur.

The musicians Andy Summers (guitar) and Stewart Copeland (drums), alongside Sting (frontman and bassist), have found themselves in a legal dispute due to allegations of unpaid royalties. Reports suggest that for years they’ve been attempting an out-of-court settlement, but those negotiations appear to have expired.

The band was established in 1977 with a rock sound that frequently drew from reggae influences. However, as time passed, their style evolved significantly. By the time they released their most successful album, Synchronicity, in 1983, any reggae influence had vanished.

The Police are suing each other in a tale as old as time

Although the bands didn’t quite mimic the Police’s unique style, it was challenging to define what set them apart. They lacked the heavy sound and complexity of progressive rock, but their distinctiveness lay in something more subtle – they simply existed with their own identity. The songs remained remarkable regardless.

However, it’s important to note that although Summers and Copeland were gifted musicians, The Police was essentially directed by Sting, who served as the band’s primary songwriter and public figure. Among his many contributions, he penned iconic songs like “Every Breath You Take,” which earns him approximately $745,000 in royalties each year.

Although specifics about the lawsuit filed by Summers and Copeland aren’t fully disclosed, it seems that the royalties from their most popular songs aren’t involved. Nevertheless, they are seeking a substantial amount of back royalties from Sting, estimated to be in millions.

Synchronicity, a renowned band, managed to sell an impressive 15 million copies worldwide. Notably, each one of their five studio albums ranked among the UK’s top 10. Remarkably, their last three albums even made it into the US’ top 5. Moreover, three chart-topping singles from their final album – “Every Breath You Take,” “King of Pain,” and “Wrapped Around Your Finger” – all became hits in the US, reaching the top 10 positions.

In 2007, the band reunited for a series of performances, but they didn’t produce any fresh music. This series ended in 2008, and it appears that no more concerts have taken place since then. A recent lawsuit suggests that there may not be any future performances either.

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2025-08-29 21:30