Families of Jimi Hendrix’s two British bandmates sue Sony Music for millions claiming the publisher withheld royalties causing them to die in ‘relative poverty’
Families of Jimi Hendrix’s two British bandmates are suing Sony Music for millions, claiming the publisher withheld royalties, causing them to die in ‘relative poverty’
No one disputes Jimi Hendrix’s musical legacy, but it’s a different story when it comes to his royalties.
Relatives of the late American guitarist’s two British bandmates are suing Sony Music in London’s High Court, saying the label owes them millions of pounds.
The heirs of bassist Noel Redding and drummer Mitch Mitchell — who died in 2003 and 2008, respectively — say each man owed 25 percent of the income earned by the Jimi Hendrix Experience, founded in 1966.
The other 50 percent belonged to Mr. Hendrix, who died in 1970 after an apparent drug misuse.
Their court claim accuses Sony Music of “profiting from unauthorized exploitation … which infringes upon the copyrights and rights of artists (Mr. Redding and Mr. Mitchell). (They) were not compensated for their work and both died in relative poverty.’
A preliminary hearing will focus on whether Mr Redding and Mr Mitchell waived their rights in the 1970s.
No one disputes Jimi Hendrix’s musical legacy, but it’s a different story when it comes to his royalties
The heirs of bassist Noel Redding (left) and drummer Mitch Mitchell (right) — who died in 2003 and 2008, respectively — say each man owed 25 percent of the Jimi Hendrix Experience’s income
A preliminary hearing will focus on whether Mr. Redding and Mr. Mitchell gave up their rights in the 1970s (photo: Noel Redding, left, Jimi Hendrix, center, and Mitch Mitchell)
They filed a claim against Hendrix’s US estate in 1972, but settled when Mr. Mitchell was awarded $247,500 and Mr. Redding was awarded $100,000 – worth about $1.5 million and $600,000 today.
According to legal sources, the Sony bosses believe this means the claims should be dismissed.
After lawyers for the band members’ relatives set out their claims last year, the Hendrix estate and Sony’s U.S. branch filed legal documents in New York seeking court confirmation that the 1970s agreements are still in effect. goods.
Mr. Redding’s and Mr. Mitchell’s relatives then started an action in London. Sony has tried to postpone that case, but Judge Edwin Johnson ruled in April that New York law is relevant only to the settlements signed by the two musicians and “not to the entirety of the claims.”
Mr Redding was preparing a legal claim in excess of £3 million against Hendrix’s estate at the time of his death, but it was abandoned.
He left his own estate to his partner Deborah McNaughton, whose sisters inherited it. Mr. Mitchell’s estate went to his daughter, Aysha.
British businessman Ed Adams, who is taking the case with the support of the heirs, said: “Mitchell had virtually nothing in his will.”
A Sony Music spokesperson said: “As this is subject to live court proceedings, we are unable to comment.”