18 November 2023 , 17:30
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The Police's Andy Summers is facing a bitter £150,000 court battle with the sister-in-law of bandmate Stewart Copeland.
Dr Adriana Copeland, 62, is suing guitarist Summers, 80, claiming he is trying to avoid paying recording royalties in breach of a 1983 management agreement. A High Court claim says three companies set up by the band in 1979 agreed to pay her management company, Firstars Ltd, 25% of earnings, including royalties, in perpetuity.
The model and sculptor turned psychologist, wed to the band’s ex-manager Miles Copeland, says she became Summers’ exclusive personal manager, as well as the sole manager to lead singer and bassist Sting and drummer Stewart.
The Police in 1980 (Getty Images)The band had huge hits with songs including Every Breath You Take, Roxanne and Message In A Bottle. But Dr Copeland says the companies stopped paying commission on royalties to her from digital performances of Police recordings from January 1, 2014.
Sting and Copeland have since paid their share but Summers has not, she claims. She says the figure owed now stands at £150,000. Lancashire-born Summers joined The Police in 1977. After the band split, he continued recording, touring and composing music for films. In March 2017 he formed Call The Police, a Police tribute band.
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He now lives in Santa Monica, California, with his second wife Kate. They have three children. The claim, filed by Nicholas Berry of solicitors Gunnercooke, was to be heard at London’s High Court but has been moves to Central London County Court. Berry and Summers’ manager were contacted for comment.