Who are the richest bands in the world?
The traditionally sponsored heavyweights of Black Dyke or Grimethorpe, the giants of Cory or perhaps even Brass Band of Battle Creek or River City Brass Band from the entrepreneurial land of the free in the USA?
Nowhere near
Come off it.....
Brass band don't even figure anywhere near these bands in question according to the recently published Sunday Times Rich List of musicians.
In fact it is a band of geriatric pensioners — otherwise known as the Rolling Stones, who outstrip everyone — including those whipper-snappers at U2.
Sir Mick Jagger, worth £235m; Keith Richards, £220m; Charlie Watts, £120m and Ronnie Wood, £55m have combined fortunes of £630m, up £40m on 2015, whilst U2 have to make do with scraping along with a joint fortune of £500m, an increase of £69m on the previous year.
In fact it is a band of geriatric pensioners — otherwise known as the Rolling Stones, who outstrip everyone — including those whipper-snappers at U24BR
Adele
As for soloists? Forget David Childs, Stephen Mead and even Wynton Marsalis. Adele is worth a cool £85m.
So the next time your son or daughter wants to join a band — why not find out first what they are like on an electric guitar or drum kit before you persuade them that a possible life of William Rimmer marches and weeks on end of practicing test-pieces will give them musical riches beyond their dreams...