How much money did the Beatles make in 1962?

Answer 1

One would have to study the income tax forms of The Beatles (or their manager Brian Epstein) to begin to know for sure, or know their booking fees of the time to make an estimate (studying their playdates lists, which have been published).

By 1962 they were the top band in Liverpool, working steadily there and in Hamburg, and beginning to play more and more in different British cities. They had a manager, who was working with them on their image and stage presence (Epstein's background was in theater), and able to get them better fees to play.

The Beatles could support their lifestyle, but each of them still lived at home. John Lennon's girlfriend Cynthia became pregnant with his baby, and they were married in August; their wedding present from Brian Epstein was the lease on a small apartment.

Ringo Starr joined the band for a salary of £25 per week at first; if he was satisfied enough with that to leave Rory Storm and the Hurricanes, and felt no jealousies toward the other Beatles paywise (who each paid Epstein 20% of their earnings), this could be a figure for rough estimates.

The Beatles made their first single for EMI's Parlophone Records in 1962; the original contract paid the band a penny farthing per record sold, which had to be split five ways (between each of the Beatles, and Epstein in turn). "Love Me Do" only sold a few thousand copies, and 10,000 of those were bought by Epstein personally, hoping to jump-start the Beatles onto the music charts. Their first single didn't make them rich; it was their second one ("Please Please Me"), early in 1963, that made the difference.