net worth in $M

[cant wait]

Mike slips an extra fin into David's pay packet each time he takes the "Getcha Back" lead.

[Stephen W. Desper]

COMMENT:  We discussed this topic last year.  Here are some old posts I could find on the value:


99   Smiley Smile Stuff / General On Topic Discussions / Re: Once Upon a Time… – a hypothetical question.  on: April 25, 2014, 03:29:47 PM 


Quote from: john k on April 25, 2014, 12:19:50 PM

Did I dream it, or did I read the words "Beach Boy brand" somewhere in this topic? Brand?? Luckily i also read the word "hypothetical". ;=)


COMMENT:   You did read "brand" and it's not hypothetical, it is very real.  The Beach Boy brand covers any and all commercial products that bear the registered trademark "Beach Boys®" That is the proper business term for any trademark used in commerce.  The Beach Boys® or Beach Boys® is a considered a brand. If you are not involved in business it may seem strange, but it is the proper term just as Ford®, Apple® or Coke® are brands.

US GOVERNMENT TRADEMARK RESISTRATION

MARK-----------------   SERIAL NUMBER--------REGISTRATION NUMBER

Beach Boy------------   86053221
The Beach Boys------   85702419---------------44333632
The Beach Boys------   76363052---------------2631628
The Beach Boys------   73059442---------------73059442
Beach Boy------------   86053221
The Beach Boys------   85702419---------------4433632

If you go to the US Government Trademark Office link (below) and click on any of the numbers, it will tell you the date and use of each mark. The site may time-out. If so, click on the blue "trademark" box and then re-enter "Beach Boys" in the query box.

http://tmsearch.uspto.gov/bin/showfield?f=toc&state=4806%3A1y1t8e.1.1&p_search=searchss&p_L=50&BackReference=&p_plural=yes&p_s_PARA1=&p_tagrepl%7E%3A=PARA1%24LD&expr=PARA1+AND+PARA2&p_s_PARA2=Beach+Boys&p_tagrepl%7E%3A=PARA2%24COMB&p_op_ALL=AND&a_default=search&a_search=Submit+Query&a_search=Submit+Query

The business of music is a business.

~SWD
 
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100   Smiley Smile Stuff / General On Topic Discussions / Re: Once Upon a Time… – a hypothetical question.  on: April 24, 2014, 07:42:15 PM 

COMMENT

Thank you all for taking time to write and to consider just how much value you personally place on the Beach Boy brand.

For some of you their music transcends any economic measure. Others have a more practical view and see what monetary gain could accomplish for others and are willing to make the sacrifice.

As with any lifeboat situation, what you might really do, you do not know until confronted with the actual, real and living situation. But it is fun to conjecture and such exercises in possibilities lend insight into each person’s own internal attitudes.

Perhaps one measure of value that could be placed on the Beach Boy brand, and thus act as a guide to its monetary value – in exchange for its removal from your awareness – would be to examine the actual world value of the brand.

Since 1998, the corporate entity Brothers Record Inc (BRI), equally owns, in 25% shares by Brian Wilson, the estate of Carl Wilson, Mike Love, and Al Jardine, the registered trademark of “The Beach Boys.” Brian’s personal worth is estimated to be 75 million and growing. Michael continues to use the trademark in concert tours keeping a net of 15% of all gross receipts, so his worth is growing and is now estimated at 50 million. According to court documents Mike contends that between 1998 and 2005 he made around 55 million in royalities alone. Carl’s estate and Alan come in at an estimated 35 million. Dennis’ estate at around 20 million. Bruce is worth more, but his estate is made up of properties outside the Beach Boys, due to his success with writing songs for other people. So even though only Mike and Bruce are on stage, everyone shares in the income and is therefore still gaining from live events. That’s around 200 million for the group’s members and their survivors.

Usually you can figure that any artist will retain about 10% of the intellectual property rights of their endeavors if involved in commerce, which when extrapolated would place a value of two-billion dollars on that part of all income for the various record companies that have owned the rights to distribution. This is, of course, a projection or supposed value based on a general history of how it all works. Over the last 50 years the Beach Boy brand has had a cyclic ride, sum highs and some lows, so a more realistic projection may be a total more like one-billion dollars for the last 50 years. One billion over a 50-year lifespan is 20 million per year of income from this brand. That may seem a bit too much, but consider that this treasure represents worldwide sales of their entire catalog, plus royalty payments from broadcasts, plus concert income. We’re talking gross here, not after taxes or after expenses. The figures drop considerably when deductions are made.

I have not included Ricky or Blondie in the brand, as they are salaried employees of the corporation. Not being participants in the trademark or having any seat on the BRI board of directors they are as much “Beach Boy” as Tony Asher, Van Dyke Parks or Jack Rieley – sort of the CC” of the authentic group or token visitors from another group, The Flame. Besides, their worth is minor compared to the original group of six. Many of you relate to the brand through CD’s or the Internet and may take issue with my views, but I relate to the brand through LP’s 45’s and live shows featuring the three brothers and three friends of long standing.

This total figure, whatever it is, one could say represents the value that the planet places on the Beach Boy brand. However the Genie isn’t wiping the Beach Boy brand from the entire planet in exchange for a lump sum, rather just one fan – you. So at first, asking for a billion dollars in exchange may seem way out of proportion, but when looking at the overall fifty years of activity, one billion could be warranted. Even if we exclude all the income from concerts tours and performances, over all the years they have sold over 100 million units at an average price of ten bucks each. That is one billion dollars gross.~ swd

The above topics were discussed April 24, 2014 and July 29, 2014.  Since then there has been a major motion picture which undoubtedly has added to the bottom line.
 
  ~SWD
 

[cant wait]

You are amazing, thank you Mr. Desper.
More and more as time goes on your reminices  and revelations gain value.

- time for Sunflower II

[Stephen W. Desper]

COMMENT:

Back on April 21, 2014 I started a thread "ONCE UPON A TIME... --A HYPOTHETICAL QUESTION"   Here is the beginning of the thread.  If you want to read all three pages of responses you will need to backtrack to the April 21, 2014 date.

Here's the question:


Once Upon a Time… – a hypothetical question.

Suppose one day you are visited by an apparition, in the form of a magic genie. The genie says you have been selected to receive any sum of money (tax free) if you agree to never hear or have access to any Beach Boy music for the rest of your life. If you agree, any time Beach Boy music is presented to your hearing, all you will hear is noise, from any CD, LP, broadcast or live concert. Any time the image of a Beach Boy is presented to your sight, all you will see is fog, from any book, magazine, printed material, screen, or stage show. In other words, the genie explains, any thing “Beach Boy” will be removed from your awareness for the rest of your natural life. Only your memories of the music will remain. All you need to do is name your price and it will be done.

So the question for you to ponder – and I mean in a serious way – is how much money would you be willing to accept in exchange for the above conditions?  Several thousand dollars, a million dollars, several million, or would you just decline the offer.

The old adage, “everything has its price” is in play here. What would you tell the genie?

... Everyone's response is fun to read  ~swd
 

[cant wait]

i am getting elderly, so $ are not so important.
in any event, i decline the offer, for the true valuation is priceless.

- cheers Stephen !

[lastofmykind]

Not that any of the financial statuses of the principal members of the band is any of our business, but I can recall being around Mike a few years ago dining with another friend and looking over and seeing Mike cringe when he saw what his wife had ordered and how expensive it was, which made for a good chuckle at that moment.  Not being privy to any particular members finances, I would estimate these guys are very guarded about what they have and how they spend it.  I was once told, by some one when you are rich or famous you become less trusting, there is always some one who wants to something from you.

[cant wait]

often the wealthy are VERY unassuming.  Bill Gates ($84 Billion) and his wife enjoy Bridge. They would
show up at the pedunskiest little tournaments anywhere. I was playing duplicate in a dingy community hall
in Trenton Ontario,  and at the next table was Gates and his wife having a great time (and looking all schlubby)

[MikestheGreatest!!]

An old Mojo article from early 2000's claimed Brian's net worth was $200 million.  For what that is worth.  Sure seems like it would be more than $75 mil to me.

[SBonilla]

Brother, can you spare a dime?

[Wirestone]

Sure seems like it would be more than $75 mil to me.

Why?

[Wirestone]

The thing is, I assume some of these estimates of the worth of the boys include the total estimated value of their writing and performance royalties. So Brian could potentially have a very high net worth if you count all of the royalties he could potentially receive over the next decade, or how much he could receive if he sold them to someone else for a one-time cash payment. Ditto for Mike and the rest of the guys.

But that has nothing to do with how much they have in the bank.

Ditto for someone like Al -- given that he's still living out at the ranch he bought in the 70s, his house and property alone are probably worth a great deal. But that's nothing he can spend. My impression is that Al doesn't actually have a great deal of money -- he didn't write any huge hits, he's not touring with Mike's band -- that leaves him with performance royalties. I'm pretty sure one of his sons was working as a chauffeur at one point, which hardly points to great family assets.

The principals in the organization are likely worth more than $1 million apiece. But I wouldn't want to speculate much beyond that. There are too many variables, and too many ways to count or understand wealth.

[Stephen W. Desper]

The thing is, I assume some of these estimates of the worth of the boys include the total estimated value of their writing and performance royalties. So Brian could potentially have a very high net worth if you count all of the royalties he could potentially receive over the next decade, or how much he could receive if he sold them to someone else for a one-time cash payment. Ditto for Mike and the rest of the guys.

But that has nothing to do with how much they have in the bank.

Ditto for someone like Al -- given that he's still living out at the ranch he bought in the 70s, his house and property alone are probably worth a great deal. But that's nothing he can spend. My impression is that Al doesn't actually have a great deal of money -- he didn't write any huge hits, he's not touring with Mike's band -- that leaves him with performance royalties. I'm pretty sure one of his sons was working as a chauffeur at one point, which hardly points to great family assets.

The principals in the organization are likely worth more than $1 million apiece. But I wouldn't want to speculate much beyond that. There are too many variables, and too many ways to count or understand wealth.

COMMENT:

Well said Wirestone.  Put another way, I doubt any of them are in any debt right now. They have running expenses, but not running debt. Any Beach Boy could buy any house, car, or whatever they need or want, go on any vacation, or buy a ton of gold if they want ($35,000,000). None of them need to work, but enjoy entertaining people -- they are entertainers. Their estates will have income for as long as their grandkids or great-grandkids live. I think they're all relatively happy with their lives and will continue to entertain until their health fails. They have given the people of Earth many beautiful harmonies and songs. Generally speaking, life has been good for them all ... was good for Carl until his death ... and OK for Dennis until his accident. The remaining continue to give of their talents and to help others with theirs. Not bad for a group of guys that had a vision in High School and followed their bliss.  ~swd

[cant wait]

also well said both Stephen and Wirestone;
with a tiny caveat that "how much they have in the bank" is a mere smidgen
visa vis net worth.

- net worth includes everything (and more)

[Ron]

Songwriting royalties are where the money is (or was)...I don't see how the f*** Al would have more dough than Bruce based on that. That said I don't know why anyone would care either way either. None of the guys are starving, they're all very comfortable and for all they've done over the years, so they should be.

Yup.  That's the real proof here, whoever comes up with these figures doesn't know the band very well because they don't understand that Bruce would have a lot more and Al a lot less.  

With that said though, I of course defer to SWD's opinion on this, he would know much more than any of us I believe. 

[Stephen W. Desper]

Songwriting royalties are where the money is (or was)...I don't see how the f*** Al would have more dough than Bruce based on that. That said I don't know why anyone would care either way either. None of the guys are starving, they're all very comfortable and for all they've done over the years, so they should be.

Yup.  That's the real proof here, whoever comes up with these figures doesn't know the band very well because they don't understand that Bruce would have a lot more and Al a lot less.  

With that said though, I of course defer to SWD's opinion on this, he would know much more than any of us I believe.

COMMENT:  If you're trying to decide who is worth the most, Alan or Bruce, I have no idea. Bruce is a smart investor and has also "invested" in his kids future by sending them to the very best schools so that now they are all doing quite well. Alan owns archers of prime real estate in one of the most coveted and desirable areas in the US, including an ocean front beach. Bruce, as a song writer outside the Beach Boy brand, has extra income from those efforts. Alan is the only Beach Boy with his own studio and who knows how many outside projects he has an interest in. All I know is that my involvement with these guys allowed me to form an international company from which I eventually retired and now enjoy the fruits of my labors. Life is good.  ~swd

[cant wait]

- congrats ! 

well deserved

[Juice Brohnston]

Very interesting thread. Some good insight.

Mike has carried several multi million dollar properties at once (Incline,SoCal,NYC) which would seem to indicate a pretty hight net worth.  He had finacial problems in the early 80's didn't he? Regardless, just the income generated from 16-17 years under the Love License, would allow one to create a comfortable nest egg, one would hope!

[donald]

Many people, including entertainers have their wealth invested.  Not in the "bank".  A lot of industrious people continue to work late in life not only to remain vital and active but to avoid eating the nest egg.    If I were Alan, I would do almost anything to keep up the taxes and costs of that Phifer Beach property.    That area is as close to heaven as any I have seen.     In that sense, he is the wealthiest Beach Boy.