Michael Nesmith Net Worth - The Monkee's Legacy Lives On
Michael Nesmith is a prominent figure in the music industry, known for his work as a member of The Monkees in the 1960s. However, his career extends far beyond music, with his contributions to film and television cementing his legacy in pop culture. Nesmith's success in multiple fields has resulted in an impressive Michael Nesmith net worth, which we'll explore in this article.
Author:Alex MercerReviewer:Nathanial BlackwoodMay 10, 2023183 Shares2.4K Views
Michael Nesmith is a prominent figure in the music industry, known for his work as a member of The Monkees in the 1960s. However, his career extends far beyond music, with his contributions to film and television cementing his legacy in pop culture. Nesmith's success in multiple fields has resulted in an impressive Michael Nesmith net worth, which we'll explore in this article.
Quick Facts About Michael Nesmith
| Name | Michael Nesmith |
| Birthday | December 30, 1942 |
| Profession | Singer, musician |
| Net worth | $50 million |
Michael Nesmith Early Life
Michael Nesmith Life and Death: A Biography
Michael Nesmith was born on December 30, 1942, in Houston, Texas. His full name is Robert Michael Nesmith, and he was the oldest of four children. Michael Nesmith had three siblings. His older brother is John Nesmith, who is a retired astronaut. His younger siblings are Christian Nesmith, who is a musician and producer, and Joanne Nesmith, who is an artist. His parents, Warren Audrey Nesmith and Bette Nesmith Graham divorced when he was four years old.
After the divorce, Michael Nesmith and his siblings went to live with their mother, who worked as a secretary. She later invented Liquid Paper, a correction fluid that became popular in offices around the world. Nesmith attended Thomas Jefferson High School in San Antonio, where he began to develop an interest in music.
In 1960, Nesmith enrolled at San Antonio College, where he studied theater and met John London, a fellow student who played bass guitar. They formed a folk duo called The Survivors and began playing gigs around town. Nesmith later transferred to the University of North Texas in Denton but dropped out after a year to pursue his music career.
Michael Nesmith Music Career
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Michael Nesmith's music career began in the early 1960s when he started performing in local clubs and coffeehouses in Texas. In 1965, he auditioned for a new TV show called The Monkees and was cast as one of the members of the band.
As a member of The Monkees, Nesmith played guitar and sang lead vocals on several of their songs. He also wrote and produced many of their hits, including "Papa Gene's Blues," "Mary, Mary," and "The Girl I Knew Somewhere." Although The Monkees were initially marketed as a TV band, they became a legitimate pop sensation, selling millions of records and touring the world.
After The Monkees disbanded in 1971, Nesmith began a solo career, releasing several albums throughout the 1970s and 1980s. His music during this period was heavily influenced by country rock and featured collaborations with musicians like Emmylou Harris and Linda Ronstadt. Nesmith continued to tour and record sporadically over the years, releasing albums like "Tropical Campfires" and "Rays" in the 1990s and 2000s.
In addition to his own music career, Nesmith has also worked as a producer and songwriter for other artists. He co-wrote Linda Ronstadt's hit song "Different Drum" and produced albums for acts like The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and Elephant Parts. Nesmith has also contributed to film and television soundtracks, including the cult classic "Repo Man."
Michael Nesmith Solo Career
After The Monkees disbanded in 1971, Michael Nesmith embarked on a successful solo career. He released his first solo album, "Nevada Fighter," in 1971, which featured a more country rock sound than his work with The Monkees. The album spawned the hit single "Joanne," which reached No. 21 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Nesmith continued to release solo albums throughout the 1970s and 1980s, including "And the Hits Just Keep on Comin'" (1972), "Pretty Much Your Standard Ranch Stash" (1973), and "Infinite Rider on the Big Dogma" (1979). His music during this period was heavily influenced by country and western, and he collaborated with musicians like Emmylou Harris and Linda Ronstadt.
In the 1980s, Nesmith began experimenting with music videos, producing a series of innovative and visually stunning clips for songs like "Rio" and "Cruisin'." He also released the album "Elephant Parts" in 1981, which was accompanied by a video album of the same name.
Nesmith's solo career slowed down in the 1990s and 2000s, but he continued to release new material sporadically. He released the album "Tropical Campfires" in 1992, which featured a mix of original songs and covers of classic country tunes. He also released "Rays" in 2006, which featured collaborations with his sons Christian and Jonathan.
Michael Nesmith Death
Michael Nesmith Of ‘The Monkees’ Dies | 10 News First
Michael Nesmith, a Monkees singer, and guitarist who wrote many of the band's most lasting songs before helping to establish country rock with the First National Band in the early 1970s passed away on December 10, 2021, from heart failure. He was 78. Nesmith passed away at his Carmel Valley, California, home from heart failure.
Michael Nesmith Net Worth
As of 2023, Michael Nesmith's net worth is estimated to be around $50 million. A significant portion of his wealth comes from his successful music career, including his time as a member of The Monkees and his solo work. He has also earned money as a songwriter and producer for other artists, as well as from his work in film and television.
Michael Nesmith inherited a significant amount of money from his mother, Bette Nesmith Graham, who was the inventor of Liquid Paper. She sold the company in 1979 for $47.5 million, and Nesmith inherited a portion of the proceeds after her death in 1980.
Nesmith has been involved in various business ventures over the years, including a record label called Pacific Arts Corporation, which he founded in the 1970s. He has also invested in real estate and was one of the early investors in the video rental chain Blockbuster.
In addition to his music career and business ventures, Nesmith has also inherited a portion of his mother's estate. Bette Nesmith Graham was the inventor of Liquid Paper, a correction fluid that became wildly popular in the 20th century. When she passed away in 1980, her estate was valued at over $50 million, a portion of which was left to Michael Nesmith.
Real Estate Properties Of Michael Nesmith
Michael Nesmith lives in Carmel, California. Michael Nesmith is known to have owned several real estate properties throughout his career. In the 1970s, he purchased a 50-acre ranch in Santa Fe, New Mexico, which he used as a retreat and recording studio. He later sold the property in the 1990s.
Nesmith also owned a historic Victorian mansion in Los Angeles, California, which he bought in the 1980s. The property, which was built in 1898, was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Nesmith reportedly restored the home to its original glory and added modern amenities like a swimming pool and tennis court. He sold the property in 2011 for a reported $2.9 million.
In the early 2000s, Nesmith owned a home in Carmel Valley, California, which he listed for sale in 2009 for $2.4 million. The property featured a guest house, a swimming pool, and expansive views of the surrounding countryside.
Aside from these properties, Nesmith has been known to invest in real estate over the years, including properties in Texas and Hawaii. However, it's unclear if he still owns any real estate holdings at present.
Philanthropic Efforts Of Michael Nesmith
Michael Nesmith has been involved in various philanthropic efforts over the years. In the 1970s, he founded the Pacific Arts Corporation, a record label that aimed to support independent artists and promote diverse music genres. The label also released educational materials and documentaries about music and culture.
Nesmith has also been involved in several charitable organizations. In the 1980s, he served on the board of directorsfor the Children's Television Workshop, the organization responsible for producing "Sesame Street." He has also been a supporter of the Pachamama Alliance, a non-profit organization that works to protect the Amazon rainforest and support indigenous communities in the region.
In 2012, Nesmith participated in a benefit concert for the victims of Hurricane Sandy, which raised over $50,000 for relief efforts. He has also been a supporter of music education programs, including Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation, which provides instruments and support to school music programs across the United States.
Nesmith has also used his creative talents for philanthropy. In 2018, he auctioned off a custom Gibson guitar that he painted himself, with proceeds going to the Recording Academy's MusiCares Foundation, which provides assistance to musicians in need. He has also donated artwork and other items to charity auctions over the years.
Michael Nesmith Wife
Michael Nesmith has been married three times. His first marriage was to Phyllis Barbour in 1964. The couple had one child together, a son named Christian Nesmith, before they divorced in 1972.
In 1977, Nesmith married Kathryn Bild. They had two children together, a son named Jonathan Nesmith and a daughter named Jessica Nesmith. The couple divorced in 1988. Nesmith's third marriage was to Victoria Kennedy in 2000. The couple has remained together since then and currently live in Carmel, California.
Michael Nesmith Kids
His oldest child is Christian Nesmith, born in 1965. He is a musician and producer who has worked with artists like Air Supply, Smash Mouth, and Taylor Swift. He is also a member of the band The First National Band Redux, which features other members of his father's former band.
Nesmith's second child is Jonathan Nesmith, born in 1978. He is a video editor and filmmaker who has worked on projects like "The Amazing Race" and "Survivor."
His youngest child is Jessica Nesmith, born in 1982. She is a musician who has released several albums and performs under the stage name "Coco Dolenz." She has also worked as a music supervisor and composer for films and television shows.
It's unclear if Michael Nesmith has left money specifically for his children in his estate planning. However, as a successful musician and businessman, it's likely that he has made provisions for his family in his will or other legal documents.
Interesting Facts About Michael Nesmith
- Nesmith's mother, Bette Nesmith Graham, invented Liquid Paper, a popular correction fluid used to cover up mistakes made while typing.
- Nesmith was a member of the popular 1960s band, The Monkees, which was created for a television show of the same name.
- Nesmith was the first person to pioneer the concept of music videos. In 1979, he produced a video for his song "Rio" and it is considered the first modern music video.
- Nesmith was one of the early adopters of personal computers and even started a software company called Pacific Arts that produced some of the first multimedia CD-ROMs.
- Nesmith is an accomplished writer and has published several books, including "The Long Sandy Hair of Neftoon Zamora" and "Infinite Tuesday: An Autobiographical Riff."
- Nesmith has won several Grammy Awards, including one for Best Video Album for "Elephant Parts," a collection of comedic sketches and music videos.
- Nesmith has a unique and innovative guitar-playing style that incorporates fingerpicking and chord voicings.
- Nesmith is a trained pilot and has been involved in aviation for many years.
- Nesmith was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2019.
- Nesmith is a fan of the television show "Star Trek" and even made a cameo appearance in the movie "Star Trek: The Motion Picture" as an officer on the bridge of the Enterprise.
People Also Ask
Who Is Michael Nesmith?
Michael Nesmith is an American musician, songwriter, producer, actor, and philanthropist. He is best known for being a member of the 1960s band The Monkees.
What Did Michael Nesmith Do After The Monkees?
After The Monkees disbanded in 1971, Michael Nesmith continued his music career as a solo artist, releasing several albums throughout the 1970s and 1980s. He also ventured into the world of film and television, producing and directing music videos, documentaries, and feature films.
Did Michael Nesmith Write Any Monkees Songs?
Michael Nesmith wrote several songs for The Monkees, including "Papa Gene's Blues," "The Girl I Knew Somewhere," and "Mary, Mary."
What Awards Has Michael Nesmith Won?
Michael Nesmith has won several awards throughout his career, including a Grammy Award for Best Country Instrumental Performance in 2010 and a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Americana Honors & Awards in 2018.
Conclusion
Michael Nesmith's net worth of $50 million is a testament to his versatility and longevity in the entertainment industry. From his early success as a member of The Monkees to his later work as a solo artist, producer, and filmmaker, Nesmith has left an enduring mark on the world of music, film, and television. His net worth is a reflection of his impact and influence, and his legacy will continue to be felt for years to come.
Jump to
Quick Facts About Michael Nesmith
Michael Nesmith Early Life
Michael Nesmith Music Career
Michael Nesmith Solo Career
Michael Nesmith Death
Michael Nesmith Net Worth
Real Estate Properties Of Michael Nesmith
Philanthropic Efforts Of Michael Nesmith
Michael Nesmith Wife
Michael Nesmith Kids
Interesting Facts About Michael Nesmith
People Also Ask
Conclusion
Alex Mercer
Author
Alex Mercer is a seasoned author and analyst specializing in wealth research, with a keen focus on evaluating the net worth of individuals across various industries. With over a decade of experience in financial analysis and wealth assessment, Alex has developed a nuanced understanding of the factors that contribute to an individual's financial status, from investments and assets to market trends and economic policies. His work involves in-depth reviews and analyses, providing insightful observations on wealth accumulation, management strategies, and the socio-economic implications of wealth distribution.
Throughout his career, Alex has become known for his ability to distill complex financial data into understandable and engaging narratives, making the subject of wealth and net worth accessible to a broad audience. His expertise is not just in numbers but in telling the stories behind them, highlighting the journeys, strategies, and decisions that lead to financial success or challenges. Alex's contributions to the field of wealth research are valuable resources for anyone looking to understand the dynamics of wealth in today's world, offering a unique perspective that bridges the gap between financial analysis and human interest.
Nathanial Blackwood
Reviewer
Nathanial (Nate) Blackwood is a distinguished financial journalist with a decade of experience in net worth analysis. He holds an Economics degree from the University of Finance and a Data Analysis certification, enabling him to blend thorough insights with engaging storytelling. Nate is known for making complex financial information accessible to a wide audience, earning acclaim for his precise and reader-friendly analyses. Beyond his writing, Nate is dedicated to financial literacy, actively participating in educational forums and workshops.
He is the founder of PureNetWealth, a platform that demystifies the financial achievements of public figures by exploring the strategies and decisions behind their fortunes. Nate's work bridges the gap between intricate economic concepts and the general public, inspiring a deeper understanding of wealth dynamics. Follow Nathanial Blackwood for essential insights into the financial narratives shaping our world.
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