Well, Prince...not quite. At least, according to Rolling Stone. That spot belongs to U2. Oh, but then you might say, they're a whole band, so Prince should be right behind them as an individual, right? Nope. That spot belongs to Dr. Dre. Surely, Prince has been around long enough & has established enough of a following to place at #3, right? Nope - The Beatles are there. But wait - they've been around forever, they're a rock institution. Prince should be right behind them. Nope, the Dave Matthews Band is #4. You know, Prince, during the 1980s, was a pop-sex music icon. Surely he's next, right? No, #5 is Madonna. I've had it - this list has too many white people - oh wait - Master P is #6.

Prince is nowhere in the top 50 earners from last year, despite his touring, release of TRC, the dawn of the music club & publishing/merchandising. Everyone from James Taylor to Britney Spears made more $ than Mr. #1 at the Bank.
[This message was edited Wed Jun 26 4:07:04 PDT 2002 by IrishEcho]

4 comes after 3

KeithyT said:

Thanks, slick. Now, I'll go do a search for your typographical errors, see how flawless your posts are.

IrishEcho said:

let me know how I did!

I always wonder about those charts which state how much someone or something makes...because in the end, it's how much you get to keep that determines the wealth. For example, when "The Blair Witch Project" came out, it was only making a few hundred thousand dollars a week. Considering that it only cost less than $200,000 to make the entire film, they recouped their investment and everything else was gravy. So at the box office, they didn't appear in the top 10 or even 20, but without doubt,it was the most profitable film of the year. I would hope that Prince has fewer expenses than U2, but with those outfits and all that musical gear, who knows? However, if he's keeping his overhead and expenditures low, he could be keeping enough for himself to proclaim he's number one at the bank.
[This message was edited Wed Jun 26 5:03:54 PDT 2002 by p3r1i9nce]

This survey seems to take all of that into account. The numbers were compiled through conversations with record company execs, managers, lawyers, agents & publicists. Wherever possible, the numbers were run against several inside sources for verification. The figures reflect what the performers have taken home after paying off touring & recording expenses. Record company deductions for marketing, videos, packaging & promotions further eat into the performer's profits. And finally, managers, agents, & lawyers take their cut. What's left is what makes up the net earnings of the artist. Each act listed has their revenue from Touring, Recording, Publishing, Endorsements, etc. listed & then their NET earnings. So, if Prince had the money that could get him there, he'd be on the list.

#1 or #100, I don't think the guy is hurting for cash.

I wouldn't expect to see Prince's name on a list of this kind. Cast your mind back to the last piece of commercial success Prince had ... it has been a long time. In the meantime there have been a rich tapestry of great but non-seller albums as well as numerous botched business relationships and ventures.

Now he "sings to the choir" making albums which is barely covering costs I'd imagine. Tours usually operate on a loss but recoup costs from merchandise sales etc.

Either way, I'd say he is quite wealthy, and earning enough to do what he loves. You really should let that "#1 at the bank" comment go, it was a long time ago and it is endlessly quoted out of context.

So what's your point? That if Prince was really any good, he'd be making more money? That he's a bad businessman? Or is it just a report, FYI-style?

I don't care how much money the guy makes. I only care about the music...

IrishEcho said:

Does it really matter? He might have put all of his earnings from his career so far into a high-interest account and have more money than Bill Gates for all we know. Then he would be #1 at the Bank.

It was just a throwaway remark in an interview, let it go.

IrishEcho said:

I'm curious, would Prince be included in any of these numbers? Who is His Record Co Exec? Who is his Agent: who is his publicist? who is his Lawyer? I would think that since Prince does not run his affairs the conventional way, then the conventional way of tracking would not apply to him, Ex. TRC was in stores in December, Well members had it months before that, does the system track things like that. Tours etc. He has concerts in PP, Do they track that, I don't think Prince would give Rolling Stone his numbers. Just my thoughts.

He's #51. Everybody knows that.

ian said:

Jimmy Buffett doesn't exactly burn up the charts, yet he's on the list. Kiss is on the list - where's their recent smash hit? James Taylor? Hasn't had an album in 2 or 3 years. It's not based solely on album sales & still, Prince is nowhere to be seen.

AnotherLoverHoleinYoHead said:

My "point" is that Prince was full of crap with his boast about his being #1 at the bank. Plenty of evidence to the contrary.

KeithyT said:

A "throwaway remark?" Sure, if Prince believes in recycling. He made that boast repeatedly for like 2 years.

Any man who condemns Prince as full of crap on the basis of one quote had better be prepared to dig out some more of his interview answers.

KeithyT said:

Please...don't give Kellyanne any ideas

IrishEcho said:

So what is your point? Prince made a comment that was arrogant & stupid? So what - wouldn't be the first time. All thats obvious from your many posts is you have a bug up your ass & think sharing that with everyone else is your duty. You are an echo all right - you just keep bitching & bitching & bitching.

I dont remember Prince saying he was number 1 at the bank this year or last year. In 1998 he was the 8th highest earner in entertainment because of his extensive touring with L4OA and Newpower Soul. Prince has not been at the number 1 spot since at least Diamonds & Pearls.

When did he say that? Was it in a song or an interview?
---
What I'm thinking is if Prince said this in a song he was probably just doing some of the boasting and bragging that alot of hip-hop/R&B artists do on their records. They all don't drive around in Bentleys and live in $5 million dollar houses. That's just an image to sell records and make them look cool.

i could be wrong but...Doesnt Prince, still, crap on about how much more money he makes *now* because he can do it all on his own?

I think Irish has a point...

KeithyT said:

That would be far too easy. Prince has been full of crap since he emerged on the scene in 1978.

SkletonKee said:

Of course I have a point, but as it paints Prince in a less than stellar light, no one wants to admit it. Everything's normal back at the .org

IrishEcho:
So the belief behind all your posts are that Prince is full of crap & always has been & that his music sucks. Who are you - the Messiah come to save us from this horrid Prince charlatan? Is that how you view yourself? Because thats how you come across - that you know better than the rest of us lowlifes & we should worship your pronouncements. No wonder you have a problem with Prince - theres barely room for your ego let alone anyone elses.

I still think there's a good argument to Prince not being on the list because he controls so much. As an independent, he may not have all these numbers released.

If Prince were on this list would you enjoy his music more?

First of all PRINCE will not show up on any of this because he doesnt report to anyone. Soundscan can tell us TRC sold about 150-200,000 but what about the mom and pop stores that have that dont report to soundscan, NYC is full of those shops that sell the stuff legally but arent part of soundscan at all. Second of all Prince doesnt have anyone endorsing his tours so he doesnt get a huge $ just for hanging up the COCA COLA sign at his shows. Im sure we just looked at what he spends(tours, staff, etc..) and what he takes in TRC (his % was high per CD) or NPG memberships (not sure of how many members but thats pure profit) and also he owns the studio he doesnt really have to pay someone else to do his work. If U look at alot of the TOP money makers most of them are heavily endorsed, especially BRITNEY, I mean she gets $$$ from PEPSI and SKECHERS etc. So alot of her $$ is made that way, Im Sure moneywise her tour breaks even at best, if U took out the sponsors, the same goes for U2. It costs alot of money to put on these big shows and thats why most of them get sponsors. It doesnt really matter that PRINCE wasnt on the LIST. Im sure PRINCE could be there if that was where he wanted to be, look at 1997-98, he was touring nonstop and was sponsored on his tour and he was listed that year. He also was signed to a label. Even though in 1999 he was with a label he didnt tour and didnt promote. So really the only numbers that can be obtained are catalog sales of WB, there isnt going to be an accurate # for TRC because it sells it through his website and at shows, plus REDLINE is not a major label. It also should be noted (not concerning PRINCE) that all these ADS on TV for 1800 numbers selling CDS, like the NOW collections and many other CDS are not tracked by soundscan, so how can any number honest.

I don't think Prince really meant he was making more money than everybody else when he said "I'm number 1 at the bank." I think he meant that he's making a lot of dough without being commercial and without a major label..and I think he meant that he has no financial problems or worries. Irish Echo, are you mad about the statement he made about U2?

aw35077 said:

Exactly...and that most of the profits that come from his concerts and releases etc go to him and not a record label, accountant, lawyers, art department, promotions etc. etc. In all accounts his profit margin may be greater than those who are on a label in the machine. Thats not to say that being on a label or part of the music machine couldnt reap him more rewards with all of the work behind him, but evidently he is doing fine without it.

What statement did Prince make about U2? Im sorry but I dont check the NPGMC site at all...gettin' tired of the propaganda...

Anywho, yeah Irishecho has a point but I think the key is 2 not put all our eggs in one basket.

If u say the talent only matters,and not money, then Prince will get NO publicity that way. Less people will be able 2 reach him. Less young people will discover his music, and we all know every little bit matters. Look how many people became a Prince fan because of the success of TMBGITW!! I did.

If U say it's about money, and money is a sign of success, then that's limiting and also not taking in2 account that fact that those Irishecho named as being "#1 at the bank" are entirely unoriginal...right down 2 Madonna.

Irish, u dont have 2 prove urself 2 anyone on this site...everyone knows Prince is a has-been whether they admit it or not, we just like the has-been a lot and think he's better than whoever's "in" at the moment.

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[This message was edited Wed Jun 26 10:34:10 PDT 2002 by Nep2nes]