BANDS - who gets paid what?
 

Say you belong in a big time band.
Who gets paid what?

How is this typically broken down?

That helps. Who took your picture?

Being in the music indusry, (although not in a band) I can offer a little insight into this.
Being in a bigtime band is not the path to riches, unless you're one of the special fw.

When bigtime band goes on tour, let's say they sell out many venues and rake in millions of dollars per show.
For example, the Stone played the KingDome here in Seattle around '97 or so..sold out...

After all was said and done, they had to pay Venue Rental, security, catering, venue staff, tour staff, management, the Seattle PD for traffic control...and let's not forget transportation costs as well, promo advertisement....
EVERYTHING come out of thier pockets. Granted, it's all tax-dedunctable at the end of the year....

When the show as over, and everything was paid for, they made about $1000 for each bandmemeber for that night.

It' the small, well known bands playing smaller venues who make better money.
Beleive it or not.

Are you talking specifically about tour? Bands, work out whatever they think is fair. There are royalties, publishing, merchandise, tour, etc. you have different songwriter credits, which depends on who wrote the music, You may have sold your publishing for an advance, while the other members held on to theirs, you have synchronization for videos, the list goes on and on...It's not a very simple equation.

I have a good friend that works in the Radio business. He got this brilliant idea to promote and put on Rap Concerts with 5-10 small up and coming artists willing to do the venue for little just for the exposure.

He would clear 25 to 40K a concert. He put on about 2 or 3 a year.

A former room mate was a jazz musician and was well known for his ability to but together a killer jazz section for touring bands that did not want to tow one around. He played for Dick Clarks tour (back in the mid 80's), and the 5th Dimension. IIRC he would pull in about $400 per night with the 5th and about $1200 a week with Dick Clark.

Grogar plays in a well known band I am sure he could give some sort of insight.

I'd be curious what Bon Jovi's band mates get out of the deal. From what I've heard he is not generous with them.

I read about U2, they split all of the net profits (which, after paying all expenses, is considerable) 5 ways: Equally among each band member and their long-time manager Paul McGuiness.

I think most other bands are different, and the people who get songwriting credit in the band get more than the others. One could see how that would eventually lead to a lot of conflict.

could you let me know what these concerts are called, where they are located or maybe a link to their website? I run a hip-hop record label and would love to know more about this.

Well, back when I was playing bars in college, we just had a $3 cover charge and the four of us split the door money at the end of the night, minus the bar tab, maybe a tip for the bouncer.

I would think the merchandise is where the money is at with big time bands. I mean, look at how huge an operation it is to put on a single show at a big amphitheater. Aside from the 50-100 road crew, they hire local union guys for the gig, have a big electricity bill, huge costs for trucks, hotels, per diems and equipment rental. But when you see them selling concert shirts for $30-$40 a pop, well, they have to make money there.

I am not sure my friend would appreciate me disclosing this info. Lets just say he is in the south.

He also started a street team that promotes new albums and artists. It makes him some tidy money.

He lives like a doctor/lawyer and his job title is PD for a smaller urban radio station. Although he is known in the industry as the man that makes things happen. He worked in Orlando and Miami and was considering a move to WBLS and decided to stay put where he is because where he is he is a top dog making rediculas money for the area with his side deals.

Refer to the looser thread. This guy grew up in Liberty City and by all acounts should have never amounted to anything.

I wish he would curb his spending (millionair next door) and think about the future but he is living large right now and good for him its his life and coming from the ghetto he is really enjoying himself.

If your loking to use him, PM me and I'll get you his contact info.

I flew rock n rollers for a while. They said that they made MUCH more money off of the sales of stuff to the concert goers than they did on tickets and such.

Money is money. Who got the a$$?

Well, when the Blues Brothers played Bob's Country Bunker, they owed Bob for the beer they drank.

The Rolling Stones are a Corporation, where everybody draws a paycheck. I imagine that the orginal 4 surviving members are the Stock Holders, and everybody else is a hired hand.

all I got was beer and a few scoobies.

oh, and a serious case of tinnitus...

So, these guys are working for a grand a night.

I'm thinkin' not so much. Haveing a pal in a rock and roll band that is and has been compared to the stones a few times in the past thirty years. It's more, by far.

Sponsors and promotors pay the bill for police, venue and the like. T-shirts sales alone will net the band 6 figure numbers in a single night depending on the size of the show. As a matter of fact this guys own thier own t-shirt company. It's more like 5 to 10 g's a night for these guys.

The stones do not have huge record sales in comparison to some of the new big rock bands. Part of the reason for hitting the road is apparel and tickets sales. Big Cash!