Herb Alpert, an iconic American musician and music industry executive, boasts an impressive net worth of $850 million. Famous for leading the Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass band in the 60s, Alpert’s financial success primarily stems from co-founding A&M Records and Rondor Music with Jerry Moss.
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Herb Alpert’s Net Worth
Herb Alpert, an acclaimed American musician and executive in the music industry, boasts a net worth of $850 million. He gained fame as the leading trumpeter for the Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass band during the 1960s. Remarkably, in 1966, his band surpassed The Beatles in album sales, with over 13 million records sold. Over his career, Alpert has released 28 albums, achieving five number-one hits, with 14 albums certified platinum and 15 gold.
Early Life
Born on March 31, 1935, in Los Angeles, California, Herb Alpert grew up in Boyle Heights, a neighborhood on the Eastside of Los Angeles. He is the child of Tillie and Louis Leib Alpert, musicians and Jewish immigrants from Ukraine and Romania.
From the age of eight, Herb started taking trumpet lessons and played at dances during his teenage years. After graduating from Fairfax High School in 1952, he served in the Army, where he continued to play the trumpet at various ceremonies and developed an interest in acting. Following his military service, Alpert attended the University of Southern California (USC) and became part of the renowned USC Trojan Marching Band.
Career
Herb Alpert’s music career took off in 1957 when he started as a songwriter for Keen Records. He soon set up a recording studio in his garage, where, alongside musician Rob Weerts, he penned several top twenty hits, including Sam Cooke’s “(What A) Wonderful World.” By 1960, Alpert, recording under the alias Dore Alpert at Dot Records, released “Tell It to the Birds” with Carnival Records marking his debut.
Alpert is best known for creating “Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass,” inspired by a brass band he heard at a bullfight in Tijuana, Mexico, in the early 1960s. To achieve his unique sound, he overdubbed his trumpet using two tape machines. Initially, the Tijuana Brass consisted solely of Alpert’s layered trumpet recordings. His self-funded single “The Lonely Bull” became a top 10 hit in 1962, followed by the successful album “The Lonely Bull.” As demand for live performances grew, Alpert assembled a group of session musicians, forming a band that made its debut in 1965 and quickly rose to prominence.
Personal Life
In 1956, Alpert wed Sharon Mae Lubin at the Presidio of San Francisco, and the couple welcomed two children, Dore in 1960 and Eden in 1966, before divorcing in 1971. Alpert then married Lani Hall, the former lead singer of the A&M group Brasil ’66, in 1973. Together, they have a daughter named Aria, born in 1976. Alpert and Hall also collaborated on a live album.
How much did Herb Alpert sell A&M for?
In 1962, alongside Jerry Moss, Herb Alpert co-founded A&M Records, which expanded to become the world’s largest independent record label over 25 years. The label was instrumental in the careers of major artists like Janet Jackson, Sheryl Crow, The Police, and The Carpenters. Alpert and Moss sold the company to PolyGram Records for $500 million in 1989, continuing to oversee the label for an additional five years. They later won a lawsuit against PolyGram in 1998, securing an extra $200 million. Alpert has maintained an active performance and recording career to this day.
Conclusion
Herb Alpert’s journey from a trumpeter to a wealthy music mogul and philanthropist showcases his remarkable talent and business acumen. His lasting impact on the music industry and the arts continues to resonate.
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FAQs about Herb Alpert’s Net Worth
- What is Herb Alpert’s net worth?
- Herb Alpert has a net worth of approximately $850 million.
- How did Herb Alpert amass his fortune?
- Most of his wealth comes from co-founding A&M Records and Rondor Music, alongside his successful music career.
- What are some of Herb Alpert’s most famous musical achievements?
- Alpert is known for leading the Tijuana Brass band, with multiple albums reaching number one and receiving numerous platinum and gold certifications.
- What was the sale price of A&M Records?
- Alpert sold A&M Records for $500 million in cash to PolyGram in 1989.
- What philanthropic efforts is Herb Alpert known for?
- Alpert’s philanthropy focuses on youth and arts education, notably through donations to the Harlem School of the Arts and Los Angeles City College.
