Overview

C.C. DeVille, born Bruce Anthony Johannesson on May 14, 1962, is an American rock guitarist best known as a member of the glam metal band Poison. His flashy guitar work became a defining element of Poison’s sound, powering hit singles like ‘Talk Dirty to Me,’ ‘Unskinny Bop,’ and ‘Every Rose Has its Thorn.’ Beyond Poison, DeVille founded the rock band Samantha 7 in 1998. He has also contributed to other artists’ songs and has appeared in reality and scripted television series, expanding his career beyond music. In 1991, he was involved in an infamous backstage fight with Poison’s lead singer Bret Michaels at the MTV Awards. DeVille continues to record and perform with Poison.

Poison

Lead Guitarist

What Is C.C. DeVille Net Worth?

C.C. DeVille, the iconic American rock guitarist best known for his time with the glam metal band Poison, has cultivated a net worth of $8 million. His financial standing stems from a multifaceted career encompassing album sales, songwriting royalties, touring revenue, and investments. While specific breakdowns of these individual income streams are not publicly available, we can infer details based on his career trajectory.

Early Career and Poison’s Ascent to Fame

Born Bruce Johannesson in Brooklyn, New York City, on May 14, 1962, C.C. DeVille’s musical journey began at the young age of five when he started playing the guitar. His early influences included rock legends such as Led Zeppelin, David Bowie, Aerosmith, The Who, and KISS. At 18, he joined a local band called Lace and briefly studied music theory at New York University before relocating to Los Angeles in 1981. While the precise financial gains from his early bands like Screaming Mimi and St. James are undocumented, they provided invaluable experience and laid the groundwork for his breakthrough with Poison.

In the mid-1980s, C.C. DeVille auditioned for Poison and secured his position over another finalist, Slash. This pivotal moment marked the beginning of his significant contribution to the band’s commercial success. Poison’s debut album, “Look What the Cat Dragged In,” released in 1986 under Enigma Records, gradually climbed the Billboard 200 chart, eventually reaching number three in 1987. This album launched several hit singles, including “Talk Dirty to Me,” “I Want Action,” and “I Won’t Forget You,” each contributing to the band’s growing revenue stream. Specific sales figures and royalty rates for these early singles are not publicly accessible.

Poison’s second album, “Open Up and Say… Ahh!” released in 1988, became their biggest hit, featuring the band’s only number-one single, “Every Rose Has Its Thorn.” This album also produced successful singles like “Fallen Angel,” “Nothin’ But a Good Time,” and a cover of “Your Mama Don’t Dance.” The widespread success of “Open Up and Say… Ahh!” significantly boosted C.C. DeVille’s net worth through increased album sales, royalties, and touring opportunities. While exact figures are unavailable, industry estimates suggest that a band of Poison’s stature during that era could earn millions from album sales and touring revenue alone. Precise details for album sales, streaming data, and radio plays are not available to the public.

In 1990, Poison released its third album, “Flesh & Blood,” which reached number two on the Billboard 200 and spawned the top-10 singles “Unskinny Bop” and “Something to Believe In.” Despite continued success, tensions within the band began to rise, particularly between C.C. DeVille and Bret Michaels. In 1991, a fistfight backstage at the MTV Video Music Awards led to C.C. DeVille’s departure from Poison, with Ritchie Kotzen replacing him. The specifics of C.C. DeVille’s financial settlement upon leaving Poison are not publicly known.

Post-Poison Projects and Reunion

After leaving Poison, C.C. DeVille founded the rock band Samantha 7 in 1998. The band, which included Ty Longley, Francis Ruiz, and Krys Baratto, released its debut album in 2000 and toured the US and UK. While Samantha 7 provided C.C. DeVille with a creative outlet, it did not achieve the same commercial success as Poison. Revenue from album sales and tour income for Samantha 7 would have contributed modestly to his overall net worth. Detailed financial records for this project are not accessible publicly.

C.C. DeVille eventually reconciled with his Poison bandmates in the mid-1990s, leading to a reunion tour at the end of the decade. The original lineup reunited and released the album “Power to the People” in 2000, consisting of half studio and half live recordings. Subsequently, Poison released the studio album “Hollyweird” and the greatest hits compilations “Best of Ballads & Blues” and “The Best of Poison: 20 Years of Rock.” In 2007, the band released its seventh studio album, “Poison’d!,” featuring covers of classic rock songs. The reunion and subsequent releases revitalized Poison’s fan base and generated substantial revenue through album sales, touring, and merchandise. Precise figures regarding record sales and royalty rates are unavailable, but they would have significantly contributed to C.C. DeVille’s financial well-being and overall net worth. Exact amounts from these endeavors are confidential.

Beyond his work with Poison and Samantha 7, C.C. DeVille has contributed to songs by other artists. In the 1990s, he played guitar on Warrant’s “Cherry Pie,” LEN’s “Feelin’ Alright,” and Sam Kinison’s “Wild Thing.” He later lent his guitar playing to The Muffs’ “Silly People” and Motörhead’s “God Was Never on Your Side.” While these contributions added to his income, they likely represent a smaller portion of his overall earnings compared to his work with Poison. Specific amounts paid for session work on these songs are not publicly available.

Television Appearances and Other Ventures

Outside of music, C.C. DeVille has appeared on television in both reality and scripted drama series. From 2005 to 2006, he played Raife Davies on the teen drama “South of Nowhere.” In 2006, he was part of the cast of the sixth season of VH1’s “The Surreal Life,” alongside Alexis Arquette, Maven Huffman, Andrea Lowell, and Steve Harwell, among others. In 2007, he competed on the spinoff show “The Surreal Life: Fame Games,” and recorded the opening song “I Wanna Be Famous” with Samantha 7. While these television appearances provided additional income and exposure, they likely contributed less to his net worth compared to his music career. Earnings from television appearances would vary depending on the role and duration of the engagement. Specific financial details of these television roles are not publicly accessible.

With his girlfriend Shannon Malone, C.C. DeVille has a child named Vallon. Information regarding C.C. DeVille’s personal investments, real estate holdings, or other assets beyond his music and television career is not publicly available. Therefore, assessing the precise composition of his $8 million net worth is difficult.

C.C. DeVille’s $8 million net worth reflects a successful and enduring career in the music industry, particularly his significant contributions to the glam metal band Poison. While specific financial details of his various projects are not publicly accessible, his continued involvement in music and occasional television appearances ensure his financial stability. His earnings encompass various sources, including album sales, royalty income, concert revenue, and revenue from any of his TV show appearences, although exact data for these aspects is unavailable.

C.C. DeVille’s impact extends beyond mere financial metrics; his musical influence on a generation of rock enthusiasts and guitar players remains undeniable, solidifying his place as an icon of the glam metal era. While exact figures regarding sales, streaming data, radio plays, or other earnings are not available to the public, it is evident that C.C. DeVille’s creative output has earned him a place among the influential rock musicians of his time. Specific figures, such as album sales, radio play, and streaming revenue, are unavailable.

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