Pop courts London division, and the court case brought by Wailer Aston Barrett against Universal/Island and the family of Bob Marley continues. As previously reported, Barrett claims that he and his late brother Carlton were integral in the development of Marley's songwriting, and that he is owed royalties relating to a 1974 contract with Island Records and a subsequent 1976 agreement with Marley himself. Island and the Marley family say that this matter was settled with a previous royalties agreement in 1994 and that no more payments are due.
Testimonies given this week considered just how important the Barretts were in the creation of Marley's music, with both Island Records founder Chris Blackwell and Marley's widow Rita saying that, while they recognise the Barretts' talents, they were never considered central to the Marley music making process.
Asked by Barrett's lawyer whether his client and his brother were integral to the Wailers sound, Blackwell told the court: "I will never deny the importance of the Barretts but it really was all about Bob Marley". He admitted that Marley himself chose the Barretts to join his band, but added "it could just as well have been someone else. There were other great drummers in Jamaica". Asked whether the Barretts were important to Island Records' relationship with Marley, Blackwell continued: "To me it didn't matter. My interest was Bob Marley."
Rita Marley told the court that the Barretts were "viewed as backing session musicians", adding that it was fellow Wailers Bunny Livingston and Peter Tosh that really contributed to the songwriting process. She said: "Pete and Bunny were the members of the Wailers. Aston and Carly came in after, long after. The Barretts did not have the same role as Pete and Bunny, and by that stage Bob was clearly the leader of the group."
The case continues.