Based on my memory, like a lot of musicians in the “good old days”, the record label cut him out of everything and actively hid royalties from him. The documentary “Searching for Sugar Man” goes into more details. As i recall they find the producer but can’t find the money. Great Doc check it out. Also found this " One of the dramatic highlights of the film is when the interviewer confronts Clarence Avant, the label’s owner. “What happened to all of the royalties?” the interviewer asks. Avant becomes visibly agitated and is unable to offer a satisfactory answer to the question. "