Here’s what people don’t realize: the songwriter, who own the publishing rights. He didn’t have those. He was only with the band for less than two years, all on tour. He didn’t make an album with them. He was probably a contractor, not even a member of the band. I bet he never made a lot of money from that. I doubt he ever made six figures in a year, but I could be wrong.
heard a story from a guitarist who was painting houses for a living, he was painting a big rock stars house and recognized him and said " hey weren't you guys at monsters of rock in Germany last year?" He answered " yep" so what are you doing now? , what's it look like, im painting houses.
very few make it big. And being a fill in gets you $200 a show.
I met a former songwriter about 25 years ago. He was acting as a guide for hunts on a Texas ranch. He said he gave up songwriting after working at if for years, and only having one hit. He said having the hit only meant he slept in a better grade of car.
It is a tough way to make a living. He was a good guide on the Texas ranch.
He probably was paid a per-diem.