Musician Makes Claim Against Bob Marley’s Estate

Bob Marley, the famous reggae musician, died in 1981.  Aston Barrett, the bassist with Marley’s band the Wailers, has filed a claim in the High Court in London for 60 million pounds (over $105 million).

Aston claims that he is entitled to royalties under a contract he signed in 1974.  On the other hand, the record company and Marley’s family claim Aston released all rights to royalties in a 1994 settlement.

Aston, who has fathered 52 children, claims he never received the amounts to which he was entitled.

The trial is expected to last up to three weeks.

See Marley musician court case opens, BBC News, March 16, 2006.

Special thanks to Prof. Joel C. Dobris of the University of California — Davis for bringing this article to my attention.