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Wailer Denied Dibs on Marley Royalties
The former bass player for Bob Marley and the Wailers has really got something to cry about now.
Aston "Family Man" Barrett, so nicknamed for siring 52 offspring, lost a lawsuit seeking $115 million in back royalties racked up since Marley's death in 1981. (Those child support payments must be a bitch.)
Barrett had been seeking the money from Marley's estate, which was predictably gladdened by Monday's outcome.
"For the last four years Aston Barrett has persisted in this hurtful and extremely expensive claim which was actually settled in 1994," the Marley family said in a statement. "[We are] delighted that the claim has now been rejected in full. It is good to see our position vindicated."
The former Wailer claimed that even though Marley died without leaving a will, the reggae legend had promised band members-- including Barrett and his brother, Carlton "Carly" Barrett, the band's drummer who was murdered in 1985--equal shares of royalties from three albums: Natty Dread, Rastaman Vibration and Babylon by Bus.
But Island-Universal, the Wailers' record label, and the Marley family saw otherwise.
They claimed that not only did the absence of Marley's will failed to imply that Barrett was owed a percentage of the profits, but that the bass player signed away any rights he may have had in 1994.
According to a settlement between the bass player and the label, Barrett surrendered his rights, as well as any future royalties, for $500,000.
Marley's family also played down the contributions of Barrett and his brother to the "No Woman, No Cry" singer's success, disputing Barrett's claim of cowriting several of the band's songs, including "War" and "Them Belly Full."
Justice Kim Lewison dismissed the suit in London's High Court and signed an order barring Barrett from any further legal action without the court's permission.
"He was plainly close to Bob Marley himself, who he trusted implicitly," the judge said. "At this remove of time, his recollection of events was hazy; and I also consider that, as often happens, he has reconstructed events in his mind according to how he would like them to have been.
"In my mind, there is no reason to decline to enforce the settlement agreement against Mr. Aston Barrett."
In addition to being denied a share of the profits, Barrett was also ordered to pay the Marleys' estimated $3.8 million legal bill. He will reportedly be forced to sell two properties in Jamaica to make good on the costs.
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