Marley bassist loses €88 million royalties case

A British judge today dismissed a lawsuit filed by Bob Marley's bass guitarist Aston "Family Man" Barrett, who was seeking £60…

A British judge today dismissed a lawsuit filed by Bob Marley's bass guitarist Aston "Family Man" Barrett, who was seeking £60 million (€88 million)  in unpaid royalties from Island Records and the Marley family.

A British judge today dismissed a lawsuit filed by Bob Marley's bass guitarist Aston Barrett for unpaid royalties
A British judge today dismissed a lawsuit filed by Bob Marley's bass guitarist Aston Barrett for unpaid royalties

Barrett, who has 52 children, testified that he and his brother Carlton Barrett, a drummer for the famous reggae band who was murdered in 1985, did not receive much money following Marley's death from cancer in 1981.

They brothers played on numerous albums by Bob Marley and the Wailers, including Natty Dread, Rastaman Vibrationand Babylon by Bus.

During the trial, Marley's widow, Rita, and Island Records founder Chris Blackwell downplayed the contributions of the brothers and said Aston Barrett surrendered his right to further royalties in a 1994 agreement.

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Island Records is part of Universal Music Group, the world's biggest music company and a unit of France's Vivendi.