The Police drummer Stewart Copeland was "heartbroken" after Hall of Fame induction

16 June 2026, 12:54 | Updated: 16 June 2026, 15:13

The Police reunited in 2003 but it was apparently strictly business.

As well as being a celebration of some wonderful artists and careers, induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has often been a good excuse for estranged bandmates to put their differences aside and reunite.

But while some groups let the water flow under the bridge and use the ceremony as a chance for a full-fledged comeback, it wasn't like that for The Police when they were added to the Rock Hall.

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Gwen Stefani inducted the group as part of the Class of 2003, a vintage year that also included AC/DC, The Clash, Elvis Costello & the Attractions and The Righteous Brothers.

The Police had gone on a break in 1984 before a more formal split after a trio of shows as part of the Amnesty International A Conspiracy of Hope tour in 1986.

Gwen Stefani inducts Police Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductions 2003

After that, the band's only performance for nearly two decades was an impromptu performance of 'Roxanne' and 'Message in a Bottle' at Sting's wedding to Trudie Styler in 1992.

When the band were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, they got back together for a proper public performance.

Police accept award Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductions 2003

They played 'Roxanne', 'Message in a Bottle' and 'Every Breath You Take' at the ceremony to rapturous applause.

But Stewart Copeland has now revealed that the engagement was strictly business and there was little personal interaction with Sting or guitarist Andy Summers.

Copeland trailer  The music and life of The Police drummer Stewart Copeland

“We rehearsed before, then we hadn’t seen each other in decades – the rehearsals were a little weird," Stewart says in new documentary Copeland, quoted in The Independent.

“We played our three songs. After we played the three songs – it was a very low stage – I look over and Andy’s walked off that way into the night, Sting’s walked off that way.

Police perform Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductions 2003

"I walk over the front of the stage, go meet up with my family… I never saw The Police again that night."

Thankfully, Sting, Stewart and Andy did end up having a more long-lasting reconciliation a few years down the line, playing a massive 152-date, nine-leg reunion tour in 2007 and 2008.