Former guitarist for Bob Marley and the Wailers, Al Anderson, has opened up about the financial struggles the band faced under its management, revealing that members were not properly compensated for their work, especially live performances.

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Speaking on GhanaWeb’s Talkertainment with David Antwi on February 7, 2025, Anderson disclosed that while Bob Marley received his share of the earnings, the band members were sidelined when it came to financial rewards.

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"We were having a lot of problems with management because a lot of money was being made. The record company was making theirs, and all the lawyers were making theirs. Bob was making his portion too. But they kind of took advantage of the band members," he revealed.

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He highlighted how key members, including the Barrett Brothers, Wire Tyrone, himself, and the I-Trees, never saw payments for their contributions to the band’s live albums.

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"This means the Barrett Brothers, Wire Tyrone, myself, I-Trees, and nobody in the band got paid for the live albums," he stated.

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The situation, according to Anderson, deteriorated even further after Bob Marley’s passing, as lawyers and accountants exploited the band, treating them as mere workers rather than respected musicians.

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"There was a period where we were getting money when Bob was alive. When he passed, the lawyers and accountants went crazy. They lost their minds. They just thought we were a bunch of slaves," he said.

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He accused key industry figures, including Chris Blackwell’s legal and financial team—Marvin Zoltan, David Steinberg, and former manager Don Taylor—of prioritizing profits over the band's independence.

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"And they were going to handle us like plantation owners. Chris Blackwell, that was his lawyer, and his accountants, Marvin Zoltan, David Steinberg, and his manager, Don Taylor, he was a sharp guy, but he was along for the ride. Not to make the group strong enough to be independent as a band. He was all about the money," he added.

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Anderson’s revelations shed light on the long-standing financial disputes within the legendary reggae group, raising questions about how musicians from iconic bands are treated in the industry.

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Watch the video below:

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