Tim “Ripper” Owens making more money now than in Judas Priest and his Dio Disciples gig pays the least
Tim “Ripper” Owens making more money now than in Judas Priest and his Dio Disciples gig pays the least
Former Judas Priest lead vocalist Tim “Ripper” Owens was recently interviewed by Andrew Catania of All That Shreds and interestingly spoke about how much money that he used to make in Judas Priest and is currently making without giving any dollar figures.
Owens is currently busy with a number of projects including The Three Tremors, Spirits of Fire and Dio Disciples, and was asked whether he prefers working from one project to the next or simply bring part of one band. The singer replied: “I would love to stay in one band, unfortunately, people wouldn’t see me or hear me very often. because I can’t afford to tour like that. I’m not 20 and I have a lot of bills, a lot of commitments. My kids, you know,.. there’s just no way to do it. Yeah, it would be great to put out a record but then it would cost me about $30,000 a year just to put a record so there’s no chance in doing that. The only way to really do it nowadays, this is a really different era. Listen, I love it. Here’s the thing, if people around the world wanted me to be in one band, then they would buy that record around the world and I wouldn’t have to worry about it. But they don’t buy enough records to support it anyways. So I can’t afford it.”
In terms of a lot of people streaming heir music these days, Owens advised (with slight edits): “And listen, I’m alright with it. At least, they stream and listen to it. I buy more music now than ever off of iTunes. I buy more music than I ever did, even in the past. I’m always losing stuff and I need to hear it. I’m driving around and I can just buy a record while I’m driving. I’m doing a record right now. They asked me to do the vocal as a guest and a lot of their proceeds go to the veterans. Now it’s a rock and roll kind of record, totally different from anything I’ve ever done. Totally. But you know what? Why not? They asked me if I’d do it and I said why not? Money goes to the veterans, so why not do this? I make my living as a lead singer, as a musician. Young bands start off and they try to be in one band, but their young bands who start off not having bills and, you know what I mean? I couldn’t make a living off of what I made in Judas Priest back then, so that’s just how it is. That’s the way the world is now. It’s totally different. I have to make a pretty good amount of money to make a living.”
Owens continued: “Well, you know, times change. I mean. I’m busier, I do a lot more and I make a lot more money right now. I’m not saying bad things about Judas Priest. They treated me well and paid me well. It’s just you get older and you have more commitments and you do more things. I do a lot of things and I made a life that I have to be busy. I didn’t make a living on a minimum wage McDonald’s salary. If I did that, I’d probably be better off. (Laughing) I should have probably not set the bar so high.”
With respect to touring with Dio Disciples, Owens indicated: “The Disciples tour, not a very big income. You’re going on a tour with a band and you split the money up with the band. That’s the least amount of money I make but it’s one of the most enjoyable things that I do. I will put it that way because I I love to go celebrate Ronnie James Dio with those guys. Ronnie’s friends and my friends. And the paycheck at the end is not a much but it’s satisfying to do and I love doing it. The way I make money is I tour solo around the world with amazing bands around the world, in parts of the world that back me up and my material. I then put records out. But most of it is through touring under my name.”
You can read the rest of the interview with Tim “Ripper” Owens at All That Shreds‘ website.