In their long-standing legal battle between Sony Music and the heirs of the musicians who were hoping to receive royalties from the rock legend’s catalogue, a London judge has ruled against the estates of Jimi Hendrix‘s bandmates.
Following a seven-day, December 2025 trial, on Tuesday (4.28,) UK High Court Justice Edwin Johnson dismissing the claims brought against the record company by the families of The Jimi Hendrix Experience bassist Noel Redding and drummer Mitch Mitchell.
Since 2021, the Redding and Mitchell’s families have been alleging that they are being unfairly deprived of royalties from three classic Hendrix Experience albums, including their 1968 chart-topper, Electric Ladyland.
Distributing Hendrix’s music since 2009 under an exclusive license with the rocker’s heirs, Sony Music has maintained that it owes nothing to the two families.
After determining that Redding and Mitchell signed away future royalties as part of the band’s 1966 recording agreement, In this week’s ruling, obtained by Billboard, Justice Johnson ultimately sided with Sony. The judge added that even without these copyright ownership issues, all claims would be barred by settlements signed by both Redding and Mitchell with the Hendrix estate during probate proceedings in the early 1970s.
A spokesperson for Sony Music said in a statement that they are “thankful that this litigation, which has lasted over four years, has come to an end”.
Described by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as “arguably the greatest instrumentalist in the history of rock music”, Jimi Hendrix died in 1970 at the age of 27 after choking on his own vomit.
Redding died in May 2003 at the age of 57 from complications due to cirrhosis of the liver.
Mitchell passed away in November 2008 from heart failure following the end of a US tribute tour.
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Author: Saul Goode
Photo: Photographer: Ary Groeneveld (?) ; Auteursrechthouder: Gemeente Rotterdam (Stadsarchief) CC-0