Is Keith Richards's net worth really $450 million dollars?

Keith Richards

Keith Richards, often referred to during the 1960s and 1970s as Keith Richard, is an English musician, singer, and songwriter, who has achieved international fame as the co-founder, guitarist, secondary vocalist, and co-principal songwriter of the Rolling Stones. In 2022, Keith Richards's net worth is estimated to be $450 million dollars.

March 29, 2022

Words by Matthew Taylor

Keith Richards is an English musician, singer, and songwriter, who has achieved international fame as the co-founder, guitarist, secondary vocalist, and co-principal songwriter of the Rolling Stones. His songwriting partnership with Mick Jagger is one of the most successful in history. Richards is widely considered one of the greatest guitarists of all time. His career spans over six decades and his guitar playing style has been a trademark of the Rolling Stones throughout the band's career. Richards was born in and grew up in Dartford, Kent. He studied at the Dartford Technical School and Sidcup Art College. After graduating, Richards befriended Jagger, Bill Wyman, Charlie Watts and Brian Jones, and joined the Rolling Stones. As a member of the Rolling Stones, Richards is the only member, aside from Jagger, to sing lead on some Stones songs. Richards typically sings lead on at least one song a concert, including "Happy", "Before They Make Me Run", and "Connection". Outside of his career with the Rolling Stones, Richards has also played with his own side-project, The X-Pensive Winos. He also appeared in three Pirates of the Caribbean films as Captain Teague, father of Jack Sparrow, whose look and characterization was inspired by Richards himself. In 1989, Richards was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and in 2004 into the UK Music Hall of Fame with the Rolling Stones. Rolling Stone magazine ranked him fourth on its list of 100 best guitarists in 2011.

From rock stars to jazz musicians, musicians are performers at heart. However, for most, music isn’t a very lucrative career at all. In the United States, the average musician earns only $35,300 annually from their music career, counting income from a variety of sources. For most, performing and teaching make up the majority of the amount and most need side gigs (or day jobs) to make ends meet.

However, for the lucky few, music is more than a vocation – and it does more than just pay the bills. It propels them to stardom and with the associated royalties and endorsement opportunities, they’ll have more money than they’ll ever need. Not only can they dress up in leather pants or skin-tight dresses and perform around the world, but they can keep earning money on every track they sell.

Yes, record labels can be tough and the changes in the music industry and the pandemic have hit musicians in the pocket. However, there are still many musicians with more money than they know what to do with. And, of course, fame gives them the opportunity to earn more through photo appearances and product endorsements, while licensing tracks for commercials and movies provide ongoing opportunities. And, due to royalty laws, musicians can keep earning money on their songs long after they’ve died.

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