It would have been enough to give each of his 52 children a little more than £1m for their father's unacknowledged contribution to the immortal sound of Bob Marley and the Wailers.

But it was not to be. Aston "Family Man" Barrett, the 60-year-old guitarist who believes he is the author of the bass line which gave Marley's late-1970s hits their inimitable rhythm, failed yesterday in his latest legal bid for a multimillion-pound slice of the Marley musical empire.

This was the third time the former friend and colleague of the late Bob Marley had sought financial recompense for his contribution to the Marley sound, having undertaken legal actions in Jamaica and New York in the 1980s which, like yesterday's ruling, left him waiting in vain.

At the high court in London, he claimed that he and his brother Carlton, a drummer in the band who was murdered in 1987, were still owed up to £60m from a contract signed in 1974 and royalties from six songs they had written. He alleged that after Marley died of cancer in 1981 - without leaving a will - his widow, Rita, and Island Records had denied Barrett and his brother access to the wealth generated from sales of Marley albums.

But as the high court judge, Mr Justice Lewison, threw out his claim, Barrett - who was not in court to hear the ruling - may have been reminded of one of the songs he claimed to have written along with his late brother - Them Belly Full (But We Hungry).

He now faces about £2m in legal costs for the trial, forcing him to sell two homes in Jamaica. The judge imposed an order barring him from taking any further action without the permission of the court.

At a hearing in March, Barrett claimed Marley had promised the members of the band equal shares of the royalties from albums including Babylon By Bus, Exodus and Rastaman Vibration.

Barrett also said Marley asked for his help behind his studio, 56 Hope Road in Kingston, Jamaica, after he and his brother scored international hits with The Upsetters.

In 1974, Marley 's original two collaborators, Neville "Bunny" Livingstone and Peter McIntosh, left. The new group, Bob Marley and the Wailers, included the Barrett brothers and Al Anderson for the first time. Wittington Winter, a studio assistant at 56 Hope Road, told the court how the Barretts would compose songs together, Carlton - "lyrical, outspoken and often philosophical" - improvising words, he said, while "Family Man" added bass lines. "He [Carlton] would be talking and they would be playing and singing and humming ... When you say write [songs], you don't sit there with a pen and paper. It's more like an inspiration."

"Aston Barrett and his brother literally created the sound of the Wailers, though not for a minute to detract from the extraordinary songwriting ability of Mr Marley," Stephen Bate, representing the musician, told the judge. "It was the Barretts' unique sound which brought the Wailers international success."

The judge, however, agreed with arguments put by Island-Universal and the Marley family that Barrett surrendered his rights to any further royalties in a 1994 settlement in exchange for several hundred thousand dollars. He said: "I conclude that all the claims that Mr Aston Barrett brings in his personal capacity have been compromised by the settlement agreement."

He noted that Barrett, who cannot read or write, had the "greatest difficulty" in answering questions about business dealings. "[Barrett] was plainly close to Bob Marley himself, whom he trusted implicitly," he 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."

An earlier US action was concluded by a settlement in which Island agreed to pay £264,000 and legal costs on the understanding that the Wailers would cease any further legal action. Members of the Wailers claim they were coerced into signing the deal, a claim Mr Justice Lewison rejected. He also dismissed attacks against the honesty of Rita Marley, and said she had done her best over the years for the Wailers. Rita Marley and Island Records founder Chris Blackwell had both played down the contributions of the Barrett brothers during the trial.

In a statement, the Marley family expressed delight at the decision: "For the last four years Aston 'Family Man' Barrett has persisted in this hurtful and extremely expensive claim which was actually settled in 1994. The family of Bob Marley are delighted that the claim has now been rejected in full."

Where are they now?

Peter Tosh

Founded the Wailers with Marley and Bunny Wailer in 1962, but fell out and left embittered in 1974. Solo career was successful, not least with debut song and album Legalize It, an anthem for decriminalising marijuana. Murdered in 1987 in a burglary at his home.

Al Anderson

Only American in group, was lead guitarist in the 1970s, lending a rock edge to their international reggae. After Marley's death, returned to Los Angeles. Recently he played on Ben Harper's album The Will to Live, and on The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill.

Rita Marley

Born in Cuba in 1946, Rita married Bob in 1966, and they had four sons together. Originally a backing singer with the post-1974 I Threes, her solo career met with limited success, although she mentored the four sons in following in father's footsteps. Said to control the Marley empire.

Carlton Barrett

"Carly", brother of fellow reggae star Aston Barrett and originator of the one drop rhythm, joined Wailers in 1969, and stayed until Marley's death. Murdered on Good Friday in 1987.

Bunny Wailer

Only founder member alive today, and reputedly Bob's best friend. Born Neville Livingston in 1947, he attended school with Marley - only as band was wound up did he acquire surname "Wailer". Left in 1974, and made acclaimed solo LP, Blackheart Man, in 1976. Lives on farm in Kingston.

Ziggy Marley

Eldest of Rita and Bob's sons, and only one of Marley's 11 offspring to even come close to inheriting mantle of Wailers. He and siblings played under band name The Melody Makers, including at father's funeral. Ziggy's success came in 2003 with solo album Dragonfly. Will launch album, Love Is My Religion, and tour UK in August.