I'd assume the money is decent...more so though I believe after Purple Rain came into effect. I think that truly made him into a huge huge star...therefore more money to go around.

This is an excellent topic of discussion for me to join in, not out of nosey-ness (sp?) or curiousity but because I am also a musician. The topic of how much band members should be paid or make is an elusive topic.

If you are a waitress or a car salesman or janitor or a doctor then your wage/salary is pretty much public domain. You know what to expect when you apply for one of those types of jobs.

But show-business is so unpredictable and fickle, as a musician how do you know how much to even ask for or expect?

In my case, I have my own band and "hire" musicians, much like Prince, but on a MUCH smaller scale. A microscopic scale, even. We might do about 10 shows a month and some nights make $40 and some nights make $200. That doesn't end up being a lot once you split it up. Club owners are usually sleaze balls that pay everyone from the soundman to the door person way more than the actual musician (the musicians who are actually the reason customers are in the club to begin with! People are coming to the show to see the bouncer, who probably makes more than the bass player.)

My point is, I want to educate myself on the business of paying band members, so this is a perfect topic.

Because so many national acts keep their finances so hush-hush, it's hard to know what to shoot for. And it also makes it hard to know when you're being ripped off.

For example, suppose my unknown local band is offered a gig opening for a semi-national act like Van Hunt. Wow! We are playing with Van Hunt! The best gig of our career to date! There's no contract or anything, just pay based on a percentage of ticket sales. We don't ask for a contract or make too many demands for fear of rocking the boat and having them drop us off the bill. The show sells out and is a success. We pick up a few fans from the Van Hunt crowd. We are stoked! We get paid $500, the most we've ever made at a show!

Then we do the math:

- $500 -
$100 - roadie and merch person
$100 - singer
$100 - guitarist
$100 - drummer
$100 - bassist

The venue sold 3,000 tickets at $10 a piece. That is $30,000 not including what the bar made in alcohol sales and what Van Hunt made in merch sales.

My point is, after you do all the math, it feels like we've gotten ripped off. I just performed in front of 3000 people which felt great. I would have probably done that for free just for publicity. But I got paid $100. But then I think about my $100 compared to what one bouncer or sound guy made that night.

Okay, I am probably going too deep into this.

My point is, it would be really nice to know the scale of pay for everyone involved in a show/tour like Prince's. But also to know what it's like on other acts' shows/tours on a lesser level. Even someone like Van Hunt. Or Rilo Kiley.

^ Its not a coincidence that people like PRINCE even, at some point have to become brutal about getting their business sense together..many musicians (including myself) seem to hear the word MUSIC minus the word BUSINESS !

prettymansson said:

I agree. In fact, I believe that business (music business included) can be an artform unto itself.

I've learned to love the business side of things just as much as making the music. Maybe I try to force myself to love the business though, because I know that you can only truly excel at something you love. So, why not fall in love with business? Donald Trump and Bill Gates have both said that they don't need more money or businesses. They just love the game!

The problem I face, and probably a lot of musicians face, is that there is limited ACTUAL information out there on what we should be doing within the business.

Where do we seek out knowledge for a business stragedy? Most successful musicians seem like they keep their lips sealed on what they do for fear of everyone else copying it.

Sure, Radiohead can get away with selling their album at "whatever-price-you-choose" as a publicity stunt... but that wouldn't work for unknown local musicians. Prince or Metallica could copy Radiohead's lead, but I know my band would fall flat on our face if we tried that stunt. So, where do we turn to know what to do next?

berniejobs said:

My very long post ended up deleted or lost.

In any case, this is a great topic...the music BUSINESS. There should be, perhaps within the musician's union, some kind of class or set of courses that teaches people the fundamentals of finance and business.

Giovanni777 said:

Were you on the guestlist for Musicology?

VelvetJ said:

I didn't ask Rhonda 4 that at that point in time. I was an NPGMC member anyway, so I just bought a member ticket.

The time I was talking about was mid to late '90s.

It was most always smooth, except 4 one time in Baltimore, when Rhonda slipped. I went 2 will call, and did my usual "Hi. I'm on the guest list." Back then (before NPGMC member tickets) folks would look at U like U were crazy, no matter how fly U looked. Like, yeah right... you're on Prince's guest list... Well, at this show, they didn't have my name, and gave me some attitude. Rhonda had told me before that if I had a problem, 2 call her on her cell. I ran outside, called her, got her, and she was like nearly ready 2 go on. She called the will call, straightened it out, and by the time I got back inside, they were like, "We're so sorry, Mr. _____. Here's your tickets."

I firmly believe that Prince pays his band a very fair wage...at least whatever the going rate is for their skill levels. They are all fantastic professional musicians who all seem to enjoy working with Prince. For happy and hard working employees ya gotta treat them right...they all seem happy and hard working to me!

vinx98 said:

she quit based on the misogyny on the tour

I wonder how the pay compares of the musical talent and the non-musical talent on stage , how does the twinz pay compare to Maceo's . I'm sure that the twins get additional payment *cough cough* in kind on top of their salary of course

Giovanni777 said:

Well, I was only referring to Musicology, which is when it was reported. I don't know about the previous years but this was reportedly the case for the Musicology tour.

Whatever he pays them it has to be alot better than this crap I'm makin and the fringe benefits oh my!

nurse said:

If you were in Prince's employ I bet you'd work for free , those fringe benefits would be all you'd need

moonshine said:

Well, nurse ain't free, but the fringe benefits would seriously make me consider it

It's a good question. However, I don't think that we will ever know the answer, due to the confidentiality agreements that everyone who works with him has to sign.

VelvetJ said:

Prob true as Madonna has same rules, her band are paid very well.

whatever they get, hope they save alot as they dont' normally stick around for too long.

just curious. how much do you get paid?

VelvetJ said:

Well OK then.

Anywho... I've heard Prince pays well, and always has.

Right down 2 the guitar tech.

Peace.

Alasseon said:

Perhaps, but a lot of people who have played with him didn't necccarily enjoy it. It's paid gig just like any other a professionally recognized cat in the music industry takes with any artist of recognition.

...y'all idolize too much

No way!!!

$300.00 a show?

I know there is allot of anger towards Mr. Nelson regarding his lawsuits of some "internet bootleg nerds", but that's slander..

I've read, and heard he pays well..very well. Is it the truth? I don't know, but I asume that he's paying a good wage.

.. $300/hr? He wouldn't have a band, techs, or handlers..


You've got a recently married couple that could gig less, and start their family rather than face Prince's long schedule.. Stay with Prince a year, build your name, and leave.. They aren't leaving. Maceo can earn $$$$ alone.


Beleive me. The Money must be good. He needs a guitar player though..

My LinnDrum Samples:

http://www.zshare.net/aud...6451d6a1b/

http://www.zshare.net/aud...197b344a5/

http://www.zshare.net/aud...37584dcc5/


Edited by Linn4Days@yahoo.com
[Edited 10/31/07 14:01pm]

viewaskew said:

He paid Candy Dulfer for the whole Earth tour while she did only play at one or two aftershows.
I know he had told her to come and play with him those 21 days and he'd send her away because it didn't fit him but still, pay for the whole tour isn't that bad?

Actually, I think if Prince doesn't work thru promoters then his pay day is big and he could pay them good money. I know a few big bands who always take advancements and they get screwed in the long run, taking a big lump sum but you add up the number of shows and the ultimate $$$ from ticket sales and they are getting screwed at the end of the day.

The question with Prince is, does he try to pay them in copies of 1999 the new masters?????

I'd say probably $50,000 a night.

ElectricBlue said:

So for his basic set-up you think someone actually pays $250,000 a night for side men ?

CJanssen said:

#


But that's normal business protocol for any sideman (or sidewoman ) booked for a tour, be it a small city choir or major pop artist. A booking is a booking, and if a client confirms and blocks out time from your working calandar, payment is confirmed whether they are in the mood to have you work or not. Otherwise you could keep your schedule open to stay home and teach, or do high profile sessions for a buck or 2 through the union, or even do something silly like (unknown,slightly crappy) gala gigs for $500 buck a night during that time. Honestly, what do people think, that she just showed up to be housed at the Four Seasons and eat Danish hot dogs every night post show not being concrete about her dough? She's a musician for chrissake---confirmation of salary is hammered out before a person even thinks of saying yes to the gig, whether whoever is boss has them full on for the entire tour or not

I heard from a horn player who had a freind on tour with Heuy Lewis when he was big getting paid $1500 a week. My guess would be $2500 or a bit more. A bonus doesn't seem unreasonable though. Who knows. I'm sure there is a clause where they're not to say. Anybody else know ?

Giovanni777 said:

Not discounting your personal word of mouth but my personal word of mouth has complained that P still owes back pay. It would be really interesting to know the truth.

Patrick1985 said:

i thought she quit because she wasnt getting enough pancakes??