The electronic music community was recently set ablaze when John Summit publicly accused industry icon Pete Tong of stealing his remix of the classic track ‘Missing.’ The dispute, which played out across social media, highlighted the complexities of collaboration and creative ownership within the dance music scene.
Summit alleged that Tong had taken a collaborative project they were working on and repurposed it into a separate release alongside Dutch producer Franky Rizardo. The situation escalated quickly, leading to significant public discourse and ultimately resulting in Rizardo withdrawing from the project, citing personal values rather than a desire to assign blame.
Pete Tong’s Official Response
In a recent interview with Alex Tripi, CEO of the Pete Tong DJ Academy, the legendary broadcaster addressed the controversy directly. Tong clarified that the project was never intended to be a singular, exclusive remix, but rather a multi-faceted release strategy.
“We had positive conversations on text about making a new version of his remix, and at the same time I was talking to Franky about doing a new version of his remix,” Tong explained. He emphasized that it is standard practice in the industry to release multiple versions of a track, noting that he had envisioned an orchestral version, a Franky Rizardo version, and a John Summit version co-existing.
Clarifying the Release Strategy
Tong further detailed that the orchestral arrangement of ‘Missing’ was specifically developed for his Ibiza Classics tour. After securing permission from the original artists, Tracey Thorn and Ben Watt of Everything But The Girl, he sought to expand the project into a broader remix package.
To support his position, Tong shared a proposal document dated May 13, 2026, which outlined a staggered release schedule. The document suggested that the Franky Rizardo mix would arrive first, followed by the John Summit version later in the summer. Expressing his frustration with the public nature of the dispute, Tong stated, “I’m disappointed. I don’t like being accused of things that aren’t true. If you’ve got a problem, pick up the phone. That’s certainly what I would preach. I’ve tried to call John, I’ve tried to text him.”
