Net Worth Ranker
What Is Mick Jones’s Net Worth?
Mick Jones, renowned as a musician, songwriter, and record producer, boasts a net worth of $25 million. This Mick Jones, distinct from his namesake who gained fame with The Clash, is celebrated for co-founding the rock band Foreigner in 1976. His financial success is intricately linked to his musical accomplishments, including a substantial catalog of hit songs and successful album productions.
Early Career and Musical Beginnings
Born on December 27, 1944, in Portsmouth, England, Mick Jones embarked on his musical journey at a young age, dedicating himself to mastering the guitar. His early forays into the music industry began in the early 1960s with Nero and the Gladiators, an instrumental rock band led by keyboardist Mike O’Neill. While the band experienced minor success with tracks like “Entry of the Gladiators” and “In the Hall of the Mountain King,” Jones’s involvement marked the beginning of his professional career. Specifically, he contributed guitar to the band’s recordings in 1963 before they disbanded the following year. Following the disbandment, Jones transitioned into songwriting and session work in France, collaborating with notable artists like Sylvie Vartan, Françoise Hardy, and Johnny Hallyday. From 1965 to 1971, Jones continued recording in France alongside former Nero and the Gladiators bandmate Tommy Brown.
Formation and Success with Foreigner
In 1976, Mick Jones co-founded Foreigner in New York City with Ian McDonald, formerly of King Crimson. This collaboration proved pivotal, leading to the recruitment of lead singer Lou Gramm and the establishment of the band’s original lineup, which included drummer Dennis Elliott, keyboardist Al Greenwood, and bassist Ed Gagliardi. Foreigner’s self-titled debut album in 1977 catapulted them to stardom, peaking at number four on the Billboard 200. The album featured hit singles such as “Feels Like the First Time,” which reached number 4 on the Billboard Hot 100, and “Cold as Ice,” which peaked at number 6, significantly contributing to the band’s early financial gains.
The band’s second album, “Double Vision” in 1978, was even more successful commercially, reaching number three on the Billboard 200 and including two popular singles, “Hot Blooded” and the title track, with “Hot Blooded” reaching number 3 on the Billboard Hot 100. “Head Games,” released in 1979, reached number five in the US, maintaining the band’s momentum. The departure of McDonald and Greenwood didn’t hinder the band’s progress, as their 1981 album “4” hit number one in the US and reached the top five in the UK, Australia, and Germany. “4” produced hit singles such as “Urgent,” “Waiting for a Girl Like You,” and “Juke Box Hero,” with “Urgent” charting at number 4 and “Waiting for a Girl Like You” at number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100, adding substantial royalties and sales revenue to Mick Jones’s income.
Following the success of “4,” Foreigner released “Records,” a greatest hits album in 1982, which became one of their best-selling records. In 1984, Foreigner’s fifth studio album, “Agent Provocateur,” reached number one in the UK and Germany and included their biggest hit single, “I Want to Know What Love Is.” This single topped charts worldwide, including the US Billboard Hot 100, leading to significant royalties and increased recognition for Jones. The song held the number one spot on the Billboard Hot 100 for two weeks, further solidifying its commercial success.
In 1987, Foreigner released “Inside Information,” followed by “Unusual Heat” in 1991, the only Foreigner album with lead singer Johnny Edwards. Lou Gramm returned for “Mr. Moonlight” in 1994. After a 15-year hiatus, Foreigner released “Can’t Slow Down,” their ninth studio album, marking the studio debut of lead singer Kelly Hansen and bassist Jeff Pilson. Throughout these years, Mick Jones’s role as a songwriter and producer ensured a consistent flow of income from album sales, royalties, and licensing agreements.
Production Work and Solo Endeavors
Beyond his work with Foreigner, Mick Jones has made significant contributions as a producer for other artists. He produced Van Halen’s “5150” in 1986, which reached number one on the Billboard 200 and was certified platinum, adding to his production royalties. Additionally, he produced Bad Company’s “Fame and Fortune” in 1986 and Billy Joel’s “Storm Front” in 1989, which also achieved multi-platinum status. Specifically, “Storm Front” sold over four million copies in the US alone, generating substantial income for Jones as the producer. He also produced albums for Ben E. King and Tina Arena. Jones released his self-titled solo album in 1989, which featured collaborations with several notable musicians but did not achieve significant commercial success. Jones also played guitar on Peter Frampton’s album “Wind of Change” and George Harrison’s album “Dark Horse.” He co-wrote “Bad Love” with Eric Clapton and “On Her Mind” with Duncan Sheik. In the late 1990s and 2000s, Jones played with Bill Wyman’s Rhythm Kings, a blues rock band, contributing to live performances and recordings.
Key Milestones in Mick Jones’s Career
Several key milestones have shaped Mick Jones’s career and contributed to his financial success. The release of Foreigner’s debut album in 1977, which sold over four million copies in the United States, marked a pivotal moment. The subsequent albums, particularly “Double Vision” and “4,” further solidified the band’s popularity and generated substantial income through sales and royalties. “4” sold over six million copies in the U.S. These albums’ successes led to extensive touring, with Foreigner performing hundreds of shows worldwide, each contributing significantly to Mick Jones’s earnings through performance fees and merchandise sales.
The hit single “I Want to Know What Love Is” from the album “Agent Provocateur” in 1984 became a global phenomenon, topping charts in multiple countries and generating significant revenue through sales, airplay, and licensing. The single’s long-lasting popularity ensures continued royalty income for Jones. Furthermore, his production work on albums such as Van Halen’s “5150” and Billy Joel’s “Storm Front” not only enhanced his reputation as a producer but also added to his financial portfolio through production fees and royalties. The cumulative effect of these milestones has solidified Mick Jones’s position as a successful musician and producer, contributing significantly to his $25 million net worth.
Personal Life and Relationships
In the early 1980s, Mick Jones married Ann Dexter-Jones, a socialite and writer, who is the mother of musicians Mark and Samantha Ronson and fashion designer Charlotte Ronson. Together, Mick and Ann had two children, Annabelle and Alexander, with Annabelle pursuing a career as an actress. Mick also has two sons from previous relationships, Roman and Christopher. The couple divorced in 2007 but remarried a decade later. While details about personal investments or property holdings are not publicly available, his career achievements and net worth suggest a comfortable lifestyle, reflective of his success in the music industry.
