Robert Plant and David Gilmour, along with Steve Marriott’s children and bandmates, are against releasing new songs made with AI using his voice.
Some recordings made with AI using Marriott’s voice were approved by his third wife, Toni Marriot. He married her shortly before he passed away. But Marriott’s former bandmates, like Kenney Jones and Peter Frampton, as well as other musicians like Plant and Gilmour, support Marriott’s children in not releasing these recordings.
Steve’s Daughter Speaks On The Matter
Mollie Marriott noted in a statement:
“The Marriott Estate is due to release an AI solo album of old and new songs of my father, Steve. Sadly, the surviving family which comprises just my siblings Lesley, Toby, Tonya, and I, have nothing to do with the Estate as there was no will. It is run by my stepmother who was only with my father for two years prior to his death and has since been re-married.”
The message continued:
“We, along with his bandmates of Humble Pie and Small Faces, are looking to stop this album from happening as it would be a stain on my father’s name. Someone who was known as one of the greatest vocalists of our generation, with such a live and raw vocal, it would absolutely break his heart if he were alive to know this. This is only for money, not art nor appreciation.”
Mollie finally added, sharing she wants to start a campaign:
“It is the start of a campaign I wish to lead against this sort of thing, where deceased artists have no rights and that everything natural in this world is truly dying, including creativity and the arts, as AI comes into play.”
Robert Plant’s Words On The AI Battle
Plant also said in a separate statement:
“This is a far cry from what any of us dreamt of when we set off into this wonderful world of music. We just can’t stand by and watch this unfold.”
Chris France, who has been managing Steve Marriott’s estate since 1997, stated to Variety that there are currently no definite plans to use Marriott’s voice on AI recordings. However, he mentioned that there are potential deals with interested parties. He also indicated that the opinions of Marriott’s daughter, Mollie, are not significant to him or the estate.
Because Marriott didn’t leave a will, British law dictates that his estate goes to his wife, Toni Marriott, instead of his children from different mothers. Despite some conflicts, Jerry Shirley, former drummer of Humble Pie, mentioned a positive working relationship with France regarding archival releases.