15 Albums That Cost Way Too Much Money To Make

Cost may not seem like a key factor in the recording of an album, as many artists are willing to show up and play for free if it means having an album recorded, but then the needless markups and inflated egos start jacking up the price.

Sadly, these costs often go to the recording staff, and the rental of the recording studio itself, and the artists see very little of the money used to record an album.

However, in the case of recording The Beach Boys album Smile, the star (Brian Wilson) was almost wholly responsible for the cost, which included:

an Arabian-style tent built in his house for the consumption of sandwiches, weed, and LSD, which ran $30,000 (about $220,000 now with inflation factored in). The placement of his piano in a sandbox filled with eight tons of premium beach sand could not have been cheap either. The economics behind "Good Vibrations," the song produced first and placed last on the track listing, was made public, approaching $75,000 ($550,000 today), including use of the Electro-Theremin itself (responsible for $15,000).

Read about 15 Albums That Cost A Fortune To Make at mental_floss


Login to comment.




Email This Post to a Friend
"15 Albums That Cost Way Too Much Money To Make"

Separate multiple emails with a comma. Limit 5.

 

Success! Your email has been sent!

close window
X

This website uses cookies.

This website uses cookies to improve user experience. By using this website you consent to all cookies in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

I agree
 
Learn More