The Financial Reality of Roger Waters' The Wall Tour with Pink Floyd
Whitehouse's assertion that The Wall tour lost money and that Roger Waters did not make more cash than the rest of the band is not entirely outside of what can be verified. This article aims to shed light on the financial aspects of the tour and compare them to the band's earnings before Waters left Pink Floyd.
Wikipedia vs. Reality
Many sources, including Michael commenting on Wikipedia, paint a misleading picture of the tour. According to Wikipedia, it states that Richard Wright left the band after the album was completed but stayed as a "hired gun" for the tour. However, this is a simplification. Richard Wright was initially fired but rehired as a session musician to complete the album. This unique situation further complicates the understanding of who was involved in the tour financially.
Financial Overview of the The Wall Tour
The The Wall tour took place in 1981, featuring Roger Waters and the Pink Floyd lineup of David Gilmour, Nick Mason, and Richard Wright. Despite the band's international fame, the tour was constrained to just four venues and 31 shows. Due to the extensive stage arrangements and production requirements, the tour was exceedingly expensive. It was so costly that it needed a considerably larger venue, such as stadiums, to break even, a suggestion that was ultimately rejected by Waters.
Waters, influenced by his feelings of isolation on the previous tour, believed that the fans needed a more immersive experience. However, the tour ultimately failed to recover the substantial financial investment, leading to a net loss.
Financial Breakdown
Indeed, the tour did not generate enough money to cover the expenses. The costs, including crew, travel, and stage sets, were exorbitant. Consequently, despite the tour's grandeur, it was a financial failure. This left the band without the additional income they hoped for from this endeavor.
Roger Waters and His Earnings
It is true that not much attention was given to the financial aspects stemming from the tour. However, Waters has continued to make considerable sums of money from his solo tour of The Wall, which started in 2011. This tour, often seen as a tribute to his work with Pink Floyd, has been one of the highest-grossing tours in history. Unlike the 1981 tour, Waters had complete creative control in 2011, enabling him to maximize profits.
Richard Wright's Financial Outcome
A key takeaway from the 1981 tour is the financial outcome for band members. Among the four band members, only Richard Wright managed to earn a salary. He, too, had been let go before the tour but was rehired on a session musician contract to complete the album. This unique arrangement limited his financial gain from the tour to a salary, marking a stark contrast to the other members who did not.
It is evident that the financial success of the The Wall tour was not widespread, and it is crucial to reevaluate sources and interpretations to gain a comprehensive understanding of the band's earnings and financial realities.