TLC

[The Diabolical Biz Markie]

I saw a VH1 "Behind the Music" episode about TLC--the female trio that sang "Don't go chasing waterfalls"--last night.

What struck me as odd is that normally, in these stories, the band makes it big, goes crazy with drugs and alcohol, spends all its money, and then ends up on skid row, attempting a comeback.

TLC seemed to have skipped the whole "getting rich" part of that equation, and declared bankruptcy nearly at the height of their popularity.

They said that after taxes, fees, agents' commission etc, each member got about $50,000 a year, the years when their album was at the top of the charts.

$50,000 per year?!?!? What a crummy business! makes being an actuary look a WHOLE LOT more attractive. of course, there are intangible perks to being in TLC, like getting to burn down Andre Rison's house.


On a similar note, I have heard unconfirmed rumors from a person who used to be in the business that the "formula bands" like menudo and back street boys have their members under a salary contract. They each make very little money, in the grand scheme of things, and are usually cut out of the profits. The exact figure I heard was that the back street boys have never made more than 200K a piece in any year.

I don't know if I believe that--it is an uncomfirmed source.



<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Shekky Tree on 2002-01-24 14:50 ]</font>

[Polly Nomial]

Darn! I thought this thread was going to be about tender love and care!

[The Diabolical Biz Markie]

Or, maybe even tender loving care.

[Troy McClure]

All of the bands normally make little the first few years. The deal is, the recording studios sign 20 bands, of whom 19 will fail, for a little money. The one they sign that hits, they are on the hook for 3 (or so) albums (while the studio makes back their money). If they can hang onto their popularity for long enough to make four albums (or file for bankruptcy in order to escape their contracts and sign with another studio for their second album a la TLC), they make a ton of money.

Why should BSB make that much? They don't write their own stuff, they don't do their own choreography, and I know 50 guys who look as good, and dance and sing as well as they do. They don't even make up their own personalities, the studios script them for them.

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Troy McClure on 2002-01-24 14:56 ]</font>

[Nature Boy]

and i thought that the shekkster was so much into wrestling now that he wanted to discuss the "tables, ladders and chairs" tag team matches.

whooooooooooo

[Polly Nomial]

Oops!

Where I grew up tender loving care is pronounced exactly the same as tender love and care.

[Cannonball]

I have to agree that all of these "Behind the Music" shows are corny and formulaic, with that narrator always sounding so somber when he gets to the inevitable "they started doing drugs and fighting" part. Speaking of which, did anyone see the Simpsons episode "Behind the Laughter"? Hilarious stuff, let me tell ya!

A pretty good sign that a band is a has-been that has not yet made it back: they have a "Behind the Music" episode! True with an occasional exception.

As far as the current recording "rules" go, it's sad that a Billy Joel or Bruce Springsteen couldn't make it nowadays. You better have a hit pretty quick if you want to make it to the 3rd album on a major record label.

The exact figure I heard was that the back street boys have never made more than 200K a piece in any year.

200K...and a "date" (wink, nudge, say no more squire) with Britney...

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: ODB@WuTang.com on 2002-01-24 15:32 ]</font>

[General Kenobi (ret.)]

I kind of liked the Behind the Music for Men at Work. They didn't do the fighting or drugs thing, they just kind of faded away.

Colin Haye, displaying their Best New Artist Grammy: "Here is our kiss of death award."

[Bonnie]

ODB,
Please get your boy bands straight. That mouseketeer with Britney is Justin from 'N Sync. (My kids would be so proud.)