One of the world's biggest bands during their 1980s peak, The Police filled stadiums globally, but offstage, a bitter financial dispute has now reached London's High Court. Lead singer Sting and former bandmates Stewart Copeland and Andy Summers are locked in a legal battle over royalties said to exceed $2 million (£1.5 million).
A Clash Over Contracts and Streaming Cash
The core of the argument hinges on interpreting old agreements in the modern digital age. The group's iconic hits, including 'Message in a Bottle' (1979), 'Every Little Thing She Does is Magic' (1981), and 'Every Breath You Take' (1983), continue to earn significant income from streaming services—a revenue source that didn't exist when the band first formed.
Sting has informed the court he has already paid more than £500,000 to Copeland and Summers since legal action began. The trio, who acrimoniously split in 1984 before a lucrative 2007 reunion tour, have a history of tension. Drummer Stewart Copeland once revealed they "beat the crap out of each other" during the "very dark" recording sessions for their final album, 1983's 'Synchronicity'.
Rock 'n' Roll Rifts: When the Money Stops the Music
The Police are far from alone. The music industry is littered with bands fractured by financial disagreements. Next month, a verdict is expected in a similar case involving the estates of Jimi Hendrix Experience members Noel Redding and Mitch Mitchell, centring on unpaid streaming royalties for classic albums.
Other major fallouts include:
- Pink Floyd: Roger Waters and David Gilmour's famous feud was partly rooted in royalty disputes. Waters believed his lyrical and conceptual work on albums like 'The Wall' made him the primary creative force.
- The Smiths: After splitting in 1987, drummer Mike Joyce and bassist Andy Rourke sued Morrissey and Johnny Marr in 1996 over an unfair 10% royalty share. A judge awarded the rhythm section £1 million in back pay and a future 25% share.
- Spandau Ballet: In 1999, Tony Hadley, Steve Norman, and John Keeble sued songwriter Gary Kemp for a share of publishing royalties. Kemp won, calling it a "victory on behalf of all songwriters."
- Destiny's Child: Original members LeToya Luckett and LaTavia Roberson sued manager Matthew Knowles in 2000, alleging they received almost no money from the group's success.
Why Money Breaks Up Bands
Mark Beaumont of NME suggests that money is often the final wedge driven between members after years of shared hardship. "Songwriters rightly expect a bigger cut for the extra time and talent they put in to write the hits," he explains, "and the others get resentful... They often feel that their contributions... are just as important as the chorus hook, but are given a lesser value."
He points to the shift towards income from syncs, streams, and radio play, which predominantly benefits songwriters, creating a "situation of haves and have-nots within the same band." This model contrasts with bands like Coldplay, who share publishing equally and have remained united.
From The Police's High Court clash to The Black Crowes' out-of-court settlement in 2022, these disputes reveal the enduring tension between artistic collaboration and commercial reality. As the industry evolves, the battles over royalties from past glories show no sign of fading away.
