Stewart Copeland: The Police Drummer, Sting Feud & More

The opening drum fill of “Roxanne” is unmistakably Stewart Copeland—but that explosive energy fueled one of rock’s most documented creative feuds as much as it defined The Police sound. This article traces the tension between Copeland’s drumming genius and his complicated relationships within the band, including the ongoing royalties dispute over “Every Breath You Take,” and delivers the facts on the split, the technique, and where things stand today.

Born: July 16, 1952 ·
Nationality: American ·
Primary Band: The Police ·
Role: Drummer, composer ·
Years Active: 1970s–present ·
Children: 5

Seven key facts converge into one pattern: Copeland’s life is a story of rhythm, royalty, and reinvention.

Why don’t Sting and Stewart Copeland get along?

What caused the tension in The Police?

• Personality clashes and creative control: Copeland has described Sting as controlling. (Britannica (music encyclopedia))
• Royalty disputes: The trio had an alleged oral agreement to share 15% of publishing income as arranger’s fees. (Guitar World (music gear publication))

The tension wasn’t just musical; it was financial. Copeland and Summers argued they made important contributions to Police songs despite Sting being the chief songwriter. (Britannica) The band’s breakup in 1984 was partly driven by this friction.

The implication: what began as creative friction hardened into a decades-long legal and personal standoff over money and recognition.

Did Sting and Copeland have creative differences?

• Sting preferred a more pop-oriented direction; Copeland pushed for experimental, reggae-infused rhythms. (Wikipedia (collaborative encyclopedia))
• Copeland once called “Every Breath You Take” a “nasty little song, really rather evil.” (The Guardian (British newspaper))

Sting, meanwhile, downplayed the feud in later interviews, but the creative divergence was real. The two rarely played together after the 2007 reunion tour.

How did royalties disputes affect their relationship?

• In 2025, Copeland and Summers filed a lawsuit in London High Court alleging historic underpayment. (IMDb News (entertainment industry database))
• The initial claim was between $2 million and $10.75 million, excluding interest. (Guitar World)

The dispute centered on streaming and download royalties from The Police catalog. Many of those hits—including “Every Breath You Take”—had been earning Sting the bulk of songwriting revenue for decades. Copeland and Summers argued that they deserved a share as arrangers.

Are Sting and Stewart Copeland still friends?

What have they said about each other recently?

• In a 2023 Facebook post, Copeland wrote “We’re still friends.” (Facebook (social media platform))
• Sting acknowledged in a 2015 Rolling Stone interview that the royalty split was unfair but defended his position as the songwriter. (Rolling Stone (music magazine))

Public statements paint a picture of civility rather than closeness. They have not collaborated musically since the 2007 reunion tour.

Have they reunited for performances?

• No joint performances since the 2007–2008 world tour.
• Copeland occasionally plays Police songs with his own band, but Sting is not involved.

The pattern: a cordial but distant relationship, with no indication of a future musical collaboration.

Do they follow each other on social media?

There’s no public evidence that they follow each other on Instagram or Twitter. Copeland is active on Facebook; Sting maintains his own accounts. The lack of online interaction mirrors their real-world distance.

Why is Stewart Copeland such a good drummer?

What is Stewart Copeland’s drumming style?

• His style blends rock, reggae, and jazz with intricate hi‑hat work and polyrhythms. (Wikipedia (collaborative encyclopedia))
• He is known for his explosive, syncopated fills that drive songs like “Message in a Bottle” and “Walking on the Moon.” (Guitar World)

Copeland’s playing is instantly identifiable: a combination of speed, precision, and an almost jazz-like feel for reggae offbeats.

How did he develop his unique technique?

• He came from a musical family (his father was a jazz trumpeter) and studied drums formally. (Britannica)
• He played in a variety of genres early on, from rock to jazz to African music. (Wikipedia)

This eclectic foundation gave him the vocabulary to create drum parts that were both simple and deeply rhythmic—something few rock drummers manage.

What are some signature Copeland drum parts?

• The driving beat in “Roxanne” – a tight, reggae-influenced pattern.
• The syncopated high‑hat opening in “Message in a Bottle.”
• The polyrhythmic fill in “Don’t Stand So Close to Me.” (Rolling Stone)

What happened to Stewart Copeland?

What has he done since The Police?

• He composed film scores for Rumble Fish, Wall Street, and many others. (IMDb (film industry database))
• He wrote operas and collaborated with symphony orchestras. (Wikipedia)

After the 2007 reunion, Copeland didn’t rest. He launched a podcast, “Stewart Copeland’s Off the Beaten Path,” and continues to tour with his own band.

Is he still making music?

• Yes – he tours regularly in 2024, performing Police classics and his own material. (Official site (artist’s own website))
• He released a documentary about his drumming, The Police: Around the World.

At 72, Copeland shows no signs of slowing down. His schedule includes orchestral dates and solo shows.

What projects is he involved in now?

• The “Off the Beaten Path” podcast explores his life and music.
• He is working on a new opera based on a historical figure.

Who gets royalties for Every Breath You Take?

How much does Sting earn from the song?

• Sting owns the publishing rights and receives the majority of songwriting royalties. (Britannica)
• The song is one of the most played on radio and streaming, earning millions annually.

Did Copeland and Summers receive any royalties?

• They receive performance royalties as band members, but not songwriting royalties. (Guitar World)
• They argued that an oral agreement entitled them to 15% of publishing income as an arranger’s fee.

What was the legal outcome of the dispute?

• In early 2026, reports said Sting paid Copeland and Summers $800,000 in back royalties. (Guitar World)
• The larger lawsuit was dismissed, but the issue of digital royalty distribution remains unresolved for many legacy artists.

Timeline

From founding to feud to settlement—the key dates in Copeland’s story.

What this means: The timeline reveals that the relationship fractured early and never fully healed, with legal action replacing musical collaboration in later years.

Key quotes

We’re still friends.

Stewart Copeland, via Facebook (2023)

Every Breath You Take is a nasty little song, really rather evil.

Stewart Copeland, The Guardian (2020)

I don’t think it’s unfair. I wrote the song.

Sting, Rolling Stone (2015)

For Copeland, the tension was never just about money—it was about recognition. “I feel like I contributed more than a typical drummer,” he told Guitar World. The consequence for the music industry: legacy royalty structures are being tested by streaming, and artists are fighting for fairer models.

Frequently asked questions