Net Worth Ranker
What Is Tommy Shaw’s Net Worth?
Tommy Shaw, the American guitarist, singer, and songwriter best known for his work with the rock band Styx, has an estimated net worth of $18 million. This wealth is attributed to his successful music career, including his contributions to Styx, his work with Damn Yankees and Shaw Blades, and his solo albums. Tommy Shaw’s net worth reflects his successful tenure with Styx and other musical ventures, including solo albums and collaborative projects.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Tommy Roland Shaw was born on September 11, 1953, in Montgomery, Alabama. From a young age, Tommy showed a keen interest in music. He is the youngest of four children. His early exposure to music developed when his grandfather asked him to sing on the porch in exchange for a nickel. He joked and referred to this as his first paying gig. He is 10 when his parents give him the gift that is going to play a determining role in his life: a guitar. He honed his skills playing in local bands. He left Robert E. Lee High School to join a band called The Smoke Ring. Later, he became a member of MS Funk, a Chicago-managed group, for three years. This stint gave him the opportunity to be noticed by Styx during a two-week club performance in Chicago. After MSFunk disbanded, he joined Harvest, a local band that performed at Keglers Kove in the Bama Lanes bowling alley. Tommy’s diverse discography includes solo albums, live albums, and collaborations.
Success with Styx
Tommy Shaw joined Styx in December 1975, a week before the band started its tour, following the departure of John Curelewski. His first album with Styx was “Crystal Ball” in 1976, which was named after his composition. This album also included his songs “Mademoiselle” and “Shooz”. The follow-up album, “The Grand Illusion,” released in 1977, became a breakthrough for the group, achieving platinum status, partly due to Shaw’s efforts. It featured Shaw’s hit, “Fooling Yourself (The Angry Young Man)”. Styx’s eighth album, “Pieces of Eight,” was a breakout album for Shaw’s songwriting talents. His rock-oriented contributions, “Renegade” and “Blue Collar Man,” reached #16 and #21, respectively, on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles chart. These songs became rock-radio staples and concert favorites. Though the ’80s eventually brought the decline of Styx, the decade began with Styx riding a wave of commercial success with the #1 pop ballad “Babe” from the ninth Styx album, Cornerstone (1979), which was written by keyboardist Dennis DeYoung. Styx was the first recording act to have four consecutive triple platinum albums in a row (Grand Illusion, Pieces of Eight, Cornerstone, and Paradise Theater).
Solo Career and Other Ventures
In addition to his work with Styx, Tommy Shaw has had a successful solo career and has been involved in various collaborations. In 1983, shortly after the tour ended, Shaw left Styx to pursue his solo career. He released three solo albums in the 1980s: “Girls with Guns” (1984), “What If” (1985), and “Ambition” (1987), with “Girls with Guns” becoming a Top 30 hit. Shaw’s solo band opened concerts for The Kinks in 1984 and for Rush in 1987-88. In the early 1990s, Tommy Shaw, Ted Nugent, Jack Blades, and Michael Cartellone formed Damn Yankees. Their biggest hit, “High Enough,” was co-written by Shaw. Shaw returned to a reunited Styx in 1995 and embarked on a subsequent tour with them in 1996. Tommy would later record a fourth solo record in 1998: 7 Deadly Zens. Tommy has also worked with other artists on a Pink Floyd’s The Wall tribute album. He also worked on a KISS tribute album, Spin the Bottle, on which he sang “Love Gun”. Also included in the deal are several songs from his solo projects, as well as a handful of compositions from Damn Yankees (“High Enough,” “Where You Goin’ Now”) and Shaw Blades (“My Hallucination,” “I’ll Always Be With You”).
Earnings and Financial Data
Primary Wave Music Publishing acquired a stake in Tommy Shaw’s music publishing catalog and master artist royalties in October 2019. This acquisition includes some of Shaw’s biggest hits written for Styx, including “Renegade,” “Fooling Yourself,” and “Too Much Time On My Hands,” as well as songs from his solo projects and collaborations. While the specific financial details of this deal were not disclosed, such agreements typically provide a substantial upfront payment to the artist, along with ongoing royalties from the use of their music.
Real Estate and Personal Life
Tommy Shaw has invested in real estate, owning several properties over the years. His assets include homes in both California and Alabama. In December 2000, Tommy Shaw married Jeanne Mason. He was previously married to Pamela Donnelly and “Cuppy” Enders. He has a daughter, Hannah Shaw, born on July 9, 1987, with Pamela Donnelly. Tommy has a youthful look, thanks to his healthy eating habits. He consumes organic fruits and vegetables from his own garden. He also quit smoking and alcohol.
Musical Style and Influences
Tommy Shaw is renowned for his guitar playing and songwriting, blending rock, hard rock, and progressive rock elements. Over the years, Shaw’s gear has evolved to include Fender and Gibson guitars, as well as Hamer guitars and various effects for his performances. His notable works include “Renegade,” “Blue Collar Man,” and “Fooling Yourself”.
