AND WHO SAID THAT DRUMMERS DON’T MAKE MONEY IN THE MUSIC GAME?

Continuing in the same vein as my previous article [“Song Writing Bass Players”], I recently read with interest that The Beatles’ Ringo Starr is the wealthiest drummer in the world [$300M].

It’s common knowledge that Ringo didn’t write The Beatles’ hits [or many songs at all], however the phenomenal level of artist royalties collected by Starr over the past 40 years fully justifies his top perch on the skin-bashing ladder. Let’s face it, The Beatles are in their own stratosphere when it comes to sales and popularity.

Who else features in the Top 5 wealthiest drummers in the world?

• Phil Collins [$250M] – the former Genesis drummer and solo superstar was everywhere throughout the 1980’s. A fair chunk of Collins’ wealth can be attributed to the large global tours undertaken by the British prog rock group, and as a solo artist.

• Dave Grohl [$225M] – isn’t he the singer & guitarist with The Foo Fighters? Whilst Grohl will have earned a minor mint from his stint with Nirvana, it is fair to suggest that he has profited most from his current band.

• Don Henley [$200M] – if his solo work was more frequent, The Eagles’ beat maker would be nudging Ringo for the top spot. Henley co-wrote all of the country-rock group’s big hits from the 1970’s, and The Eagles’ profit significantly from their ever frequent “reunion” world tours.

• Lars Ulrich [$175M] – Metallica’s huge album sales and monster global fan base can justify his estimated wealth. The California-based metal rockers like to tour relentlessly on a BIG scale.

Who features in the balance of the Top 10 wealthiest drummers?

• Charlie Watts [The Rolling Stones]

• Larry Mullen [U2]

• Roger Taylor [Queen]

• Joey Kramer [Aerosmith]

• Chad Smith [Red Hot Chilli Peppers]

It is TOUGH to make money in the music business, especially if you are a drummer [because drummers rarely write songs!!]. Whilst Collins, Henley & Taylor have all written Number One hit songs [i.e. very lucrative royalty streams], the 10 drummers listed above share one common thread which defines their wealth; they are all members of very popular rock groups who perform [or performed] in large stadiums across the globe.

In the present environment, big profits are made from big rock tours…