Bands you thought were huge, but actually broke?

[Ryan81]

I'd have to imagine many of the richest rock stars get a lot of their money through good investments in real estate or some other non-musical ventures.

I often wonder how well off a guy like George Lynch is. Like was he ever a millionaire at any point? Same with the guys in Judas Priest.

[Love_Industry]

Ramones. Despite their legendary status as godfathers of punk rock it was a surprise to find out they were barely surviving financially all those years touring small clubs in a van.

According to his brother, after End of The Century, which was their most succesful album, Joey Ramone only had $5,000 saved in his bank account.

They started to get some better money in the 90’s from music and merchandise licensing. Johnny and Joey were frugal and both invested, but the hired guns like Richie and later CJ were only making like $300-$400 a week.

Ramones seem to only have two Gold albums and zero Platinum. Century isn't one of them, it's the s/t and Ramones Mania compilation from 88. You'd think they sold like Mötley or Poison but their record sales were Krokus level. Probably did better from touring and as you wrote from merch in the 90s and on but still not a huge band even if everyone knows them. At least they outsold Motörhead and Accept...

[Bono Nettencourt]

I'd have to imagine many of the richest rock stars get a lot of their money through good investments in real estate or some other non-musical ventures.

I often wonder how well off a guy like George Lynch is. Like was he ever a millionaire at any point?

That's an interesting question. I don't think anyone's posited that topic before.

[ElectrickMagick]

Ramones. Despite their legendary status as godfathers of punk rock it was a surprise to find out they were barely surviving financially all those years touring small clubs in a van.

According to his brother, after End of The Century, which was their most succesful album, Joey Ramone only had $5,000 saved in his bank account.

They started to get some better money in the 90’s from music and merchandise licensing. Johnny and Joey were frugal and both invested, but the hired guns like Richie and later CJ were only making like $300-$400 a week.

Ramones seem to only have two Gold albums and zero Platinum. Century isn't one of them, it's the s/t and Ramones Mania compilation from 88. You'd think they sold like Mötley or Poison but their record sales were Krokus level. Probably did better from touring and as you wrote from merch in the 90s and on but still not a huge band even if everyone knows them. At least they outsold Motörhead and Accept...

Punk was always far more popular with critics than with audiences. Their lack of financial success, despite their influence, is not surprising.

[TooOldToCare]

I'd have to imagine many of the richest rock stars get a lot of their money through good investments in real estate or some other non-musical ventures.

I often wonder how well off a guy like George Lynch is. Like was he ever a millionaire at any point? Same with the guys in Judas Priest.

I bet guys like Tommy and Eric (sludge scabs) are far better off than shredder "heroes" like Lynch. Neither lived a decadent rockstar life, did their job and were paid well, and probably made some sound financial decisions. Just speculation. Johnny Depp and his fake guitar playing with the Vampires probably bring in more musical cash than Lynch.

[VinnieVincentsVag]

Halford is worth $14 mill according to google search.
George Lynch 5 mil.
But, they list James Durbin as worth 1.5 mil, so take that for what its worth.

[Love_Industry]

Halford is worth $14 mill according to google search.

Saw a number of $30 mil for Halford too. And 40 mil for KK Downing in 2017, before the golf resort fiasco. He seems to have sold his home for £10 million and he bought it as far back as 1985. So the Priest guys are doing well enough financially.

[DonJuanDeMarco]

Halford is worth $14 mill according to google search.
George Lynch 5 mil.
But, they list James Durbin as worth 1.5 mil, so take that for what its worth.

That's really weird that with all those Priest albums and such a long career, Halford still doesn't even have as much money as the CEO...

https://www.zgr.net/en/wiki/stevie-rach ... biography/

[VinnieVincentsVag]

Halford is worth $14 mill according to google search.
George Lynch 5 mil.
But, they list James Durbin as worth 1.5 mil, so take that for what its worth.

That's really weird that with all those Priest albums and such a long career, Halford still doesn't even have as much money as the CEO...

https://www.zgr.net/en/wiki/stevie-rach ... biography/

[Love_Industry]

Halford is worth $14 mill according to google search.
George Lynch 5 mil.
But, they list James Durbin as worth 1.5 mil, so take that for what its worth.

That's really weird that with all those Priest albums and such a long career, Halford still doesn't even have as much money as the CEO...

https://www.zgr.net/en/wiki/stevie-rach ... biography/

Two. Words: Metal. Sludge.

[Ryan81]

I'd have to imagine many of the richest rock stars get a lot of their money through good investments in real estate or some other non-musical ventures.

I often wonder how well off a guy like George Lynch is. Like was he ever a millionaire at any point?

That's an interesting question. I don't think anyone's posited that topic before.

I don't know. It's not that interesting of a question. I'd imagine somebody has asked on this board at some point (it appears i actually asked it twice myself...sorry for the double post). I do think outside the box though so maybe not.