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What Is Eddie Trunk Net Worth’ Net Worth?
Eddie Trunk, a well-known American radio personality, author, and talk show host, has built a solid career in the hard rock and heavy metal music scene. As of 2024, Eddie Trunk’s estimated net worth is approximately $1 million. This wealth has been accumulated through his diverse roles, including radio and television hosting, authorship, and his extensive work as a music historian. His income is derived from syndicated radio shows, television appearances, book sales, and various live engagements.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Edward Scott Trunk was born on August 8, 1964, in Summit, New Jersey. He spent his childhood in Madison, New Jersey, and attended Madison High School. During his formative years, Trunk developed a deep passion for music, particularly influenced by iconic bands such as Kiss, Aerosmith, Rush, UFO, and Black Sabbath. This early fascination led him to express his opinions through writing record reviews for school credit, which laid the foundation for his future career. In 1983, Trunk embarked on his broadcasting career at WDHA in NJ, where he convinced the executives to allow him to produce a hard rock/heavy metal specialty show. This was one of the first shows of its kind and continues to this day. From late 1983 through 1994, Trunk became a fixture at WDHA, the station he grew up listening to. Over the 10 years he spent at DHA (all on a part-time basis), he hosted, produced, and programmed the stations popular metal show, in addition to doing regular airshifts, remote broadcasts, interviews, and promotions.
Career Highlights and Key Milestones
In 1986, Trunk joined Megaforce Records, a label known for signing prominent bands like Metallica and Anthrax. By the age of 25, he became the vice president, playing a vital role in the careers of artists such as Anthrax, Raven, T.T. Quick, Manowar, Overkill, King’s X, Prophet, Icon, and Ace Frehley. He was instrumental in revitalizing Ace Frehley’s solo career by persuading Megaforce Records’ head, Jon Zazula, to sign the former KISS guitarist. Trunk’s transition to radio saw him become a fixture at WDHA from late 1983 through 1994, where he hosted and produced the station’s popular metal show. He further solidified his presence by hosting “Friday Night Rocks” and “Saturday Night Rocks” for WNEW-FM in New York City until 2003. From 2008 to 2015, Trunk hosted and co-produced “That Metal Show” on VH1 Classic. The show had a total of 14 seasons and 127 episodes. Eddie also hosts Eddie Trunk Live, a weekly live music, talk & interview show every Monday night on SiriusXM satellite radio channel 39 (Hair Nation), which is branded “Trunk Nation” during his program.
Radio and Television Career
Eddie Trunk is prominently known for hosting numerous hard rock and heavy metal radio and television shows. He started his radio career on a pirate radio station operating from a basement. In 1994, he joined radio station Pure Rock Q104.3 in New York. He hosted “Friday Night Rocks” and “Saturday Night Rocks” on WNEW-FM in New York City. Trunk also hosted shows on VH1 Classic and XM Radio’s Ozzy’s Boneyard channel. However, he was temporarily suspended from XM Radio after an interview with New York Mets catcher Mike Piazza. The station was the home of The Rock of Jericho, hosted by WWE wrestler Chris Jericho, until its cancellation in December 2006. Eddie Trunk started hosting a four-hour show on The Boneyard in December 2006. In February 2012, Sirius/XM partnered with Sharon Osbourne to relaunch The Boneyard, rebranding it Ozzy’s Boneyard. Trunk was dropped as host. As of 2025, Trunk hosts “Trunk Nation” on Sirius XM Radio channels Faction Talk (Channel 103) and Hair Nation (Channel 39). He also hosts “The Eddie Trunk Podcast” on PodcastOne.
Author and Music Historian
Besides his radio and television work, Eddie Trunk is an accomplished author. He released his first book, “Eddie Trunk’s Essential Hard Rock & Heavy Metal,” in 2011 through Abrams Image. He has also worked as a freelance music journalist and has served as an MC for various concerts and rock events around the United States. Trunk revealed in 2019 that he had recorded backing vocals on Anthrax’s 1989 cover of the KISS song “Parasite.” He was credited in the special thanks as Ed “Parasite” Trunk.
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Criticism
Eddie Trunk is known for his outspoken criticism of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, often referring to it as the “Hall of Shame”. He has voiced his disappointment over the Hall’s consistent neglect of heavy metal and hard rock artists, citing instances where pop and other genre artists were inducted while many eligible rock artists were overlooked. In 2015, Trunk became a voting member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. By January 2017, he had somewhat tempered his criticism, acknowledging the progress made with the enshrinement of bands like Rush, Kiss, Cheap Trick, Deep Purple, Def Leppard, and Journey. Tom Morello revealed that the Hall needed to be “a place that everyone who loves rock and roll aspires to be in because their heroes are there. And you don’t have that right now.”
