Rolling Stones break records as new album makes them first UK rock billionaires

The Rolling Stones' new record will turn them into Britain's first rock billionaires.

Hackney Diamonds – their first studio album in almost a decade – was the most ordered release on Amazon this month. It is the fifth fastest-selling album of the year and third most streamed album on Apple Music.

But it is the proceeds from the accompanying new year tour that will take the combined earnings of Stones Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood past £1billion. Analysts said the band – which has sold 250 million albums since forming in 1962 – can charge more than most for tickets to live shows because their fans are older and have more cash to spend.

READ MORE: Rick Astley classic tops songs with misheard lyrics like 'nits' and 'aunt's been naked'

READ MORE: Snoop Dogg's wild life – employs a joint roller, famous family and murder trial

Music industry finance director Cliff Dane said: "In the 70s the Stones, alongside Led Zeppelin, pioneered big arena and stadium tours on an industrial scale. The Stones juggernaut just rolled on and on and on.

"These days they play fewer shows because of their age. But they can charge a lot more than other artists as their fans are often older and have more disposable income.''

Overseeing the Stones' finances is mum-of-two Joyce Smyth who has worked as a lawyer for the band for years – including on frontman Jagger's divorce from Jerry Hall. The 66-year-old from Portsmouth, who performed in pubs as a folk singer in her youth, admitted she was more a fan of the Carpenters.

But that has not stopped her propelling the Stones to billionaire status. Budweiser, LVMH, Chase Manhattan, DHL, Volkswagen and Jeep are among the sponsors involved with tours, exhibitions and merchandising.

Microsoft paid £3.3m to use Start Me Up in adverts while Mercedes splashed out £1.25m for Sympathy For The Devil. Later this month Barcelona will sport the band's famous tongue and lips logo on their shirts when they play Real Madrid.

"No, I'm certainly not rock'n'roll,'' admitted Joyce who has managed the Stones since 2011 building a sizeable fortune of her own. Her main company Glastry is worth £28.7m.

"I often have to pinch myself. But there's no time for impostor syndrome.''

Jagger, 80, dropped out of his finance and accounting degree at the London School of Economics to become a rock God. I don't actually really like business,'' he said recently. "I just have to do it. Because if you don't you get f*****."

For more of the latest showbiz news from Daily Star, make sure you sign up to one of our newsletters here.

Source: Read Full Article