Herb Alpert

Herb Alpert is a legendary American trumpeter who led the band Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass in the 1960s, and has an estimated net worth of around $850 Million. Herb Alpert has earned the vast majority of his incredible fortunes as the co-founder of A&M Records and Rondor Music. Let's uncover how the musician has built such an impressive net worth.

What is Herb Alpert’s Net Worth?

As of 2024, Herb Alpert, one of the most successful instrumental performers in pop history, has an estimated net worth of a staggering $850 Million. 

He is one of the wealthiest and most influential figures in the music industry and has made it to our list of the richest musicians in the world. Herb Alpert’s wealth largely comes from his success as a musician, record executive, and philanthropist. During the 1960s and 1970s, Alpert generated significant revenue through music sales and royalties. In 1966, Herb Alpert’s band, the Tijuana Brass outsold the Beatles, selling over 13 Million albums. So far, Alpert has sold an estimated 72 Million records worldwide.

In 1962, Herb, along with his recording partner Jerry Moss, founded A&M Records, which soon became a powerhouse in the music industry. After almost three decades, they sold it to PolyGram for $500 Million in cash. In 1998, they sued PolyGram and won an additional $200 Million payout for PolyGram's breach of the terms of the deal. Herb also received additional compensation after leaving the label in the 1990s. In 2000, Herb and Jerry sold another company they co-founded together, Rondor Music, a music-publishing company, to Universal Music for a whopping $400 Million. 

What is Herb Alpert’s claim to fame?

Herb Alpert’s fame and success are a result of his dedication, hard work, and innovation in music, his success as a record executive, and his lasting contributions to pop and instrumental music. Alpert once said that the secret to success is to be passionate about what you're doing. He also advises young artists to have a backup plan and to be realistic. Let's look at the significant events that helped Alpert gain fame including -

• The Lonely Bull: Herb Alpert gained first recognition with the release of the instrumental track “The Lonely Bull” in 1962, which became a hit and marked the debut of Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass. The song’s success launched his career and helped define his signature sound, which combined jazz, pop, and Latin influences.
• Formation of A&M Records: In 1962, Herb Alpert and his fellow trumpeter Jerry Moss founded A&M Records, a record label company. The label collaborated with legendary singers like The Carpenters, Carole King, Cat Stevens, The Police, and Janet Jackson. The success of A&M Records helped cement Alpert’s position in the music industry and broadened his influence beyond his own performances. Although, in 1989, Herb Alpert and Jerry Moss sold A&M Records to PolyGram for $500 Million and an additional $200 Million payout for the violation of the contract's terms in 1998.
• Global Hits in the 1960s: Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass became internationally famous with iconic songs like “A Taste of Honey”, “Whipped Cream”, and “This Guy's in Love with You.” These tracks contributed to the group’s popularity and solidified their place in 1960s pop culture.
• Herb Alpert Billboard Record: Herb Alpert made history in 1966 by having five albums simultaneously on the Billboard 200, a record that still stands today. Alpert has also earned 14 platinum albums and 15 gold albums throughout his career, further cementing his legacy as a successful and influential artist.
• Herb Alpert topped both as a Vocalist and Instrumentalist- Herb Alpert is the only individual artist to top the Hot 100 both as a vocalist ("This Guy's in Love with You", 1968) and as an instrumentalist ("Rise", 1979).
• Sold Rondor Music International: In 2000, Herb Alpert and Jerry Moss sold Rondor Music International to Universal Music Publishing Group for $400 Million. It also marked a turning point as both Alpert and Moss diversified their portfolio beyond music to include investments in other industries

What businesses does Herb Alpert own?

Herb Alpert owns stakes in various business ventures such as

• A&M Records: In 1962, Herb Alpert along with his fellow trumpeter Jerry Moss, founded a record label called A&M Records. A&M Records is the largest independent record company in the world. The company worked with many superstars such as Janet Jackson, Sheryl Crow, the Police, and the Carpenters. On October 11, 1989, Herb and Jerry sold A&M Records to Philips subsidiary PolyGram.
• Rondor Music: In 1962, Herb Alpert and Jerry Moss, co-founded a music publishing company called Rondor Music International. In 2000, Rondor Music was sold to Universal Music Publishing Group.
• H. Alpert and Co.: In the late 1980s, Herb Alpert founded H. Alpert and Co., a short-lived perfume company, which sold products in high-end department stores such as Nordstrom. The company launched with two scents, Listen and Listen for Men. The scent of the perfume was compared to music, with high and low notes.
• Vibrato Grill & Jazz: In 2004, Herb Alpert, in partnership with his daughter Eden, opened Vibrato Grill & Jazz, a popular jazz club and restaurant located in the Bel Air neighborhood of Los Angeles. This venue has become a hub for jazz enthusiasts that combines live jazz performances with fine dining, offering a space for musicians to perform and for audiences to experience high-quality jazz.

What brands has Herb Alpert endorsed?

Herb Alpert had just one endorsement deal with a sewing machine brand called Singer.

• Singer: An advertisement was featured in Life Magazine in April 1968, from Singer Corporation, an American manufacturer of consumer sewing machines. The black and white ad featured a serif typeface, an image of Herb Alpert, and small illustrations of their products in the ad. Though the exact details of this endorsement remain unknown. On a side note, Singer Corporation filed bankruptcy in 1999 and was acquired by Kohlberg & Company.

How does Herb Alpert spend his Millions?

Herb Alpert enjoys a very luxurious lifestyle. He spends his Millions in a variety of ways, such as real estate, investments in businesses, expensive cars, charitable contributions, and personal interests. Herb Alpert owns luxurious properties in Malibu, California, and Pacific Palisades. He is also actively involved in philanthropic and charity works. Through the Herb Alpert Foundation, founded in 1988, Alpert and his wife, Lani Hall, have funded millions to various causes and environmental initiatives.

How many houses does Herb Alpert own?

Herb Alpert owns multiple luxurious properties all around the world. Some of his notable residences and properties include-

• Mansion in Malibu, California: Herb Alpert and his wife Lani Hall, live in a stunning mansion in Malibu, a charming city in California. The 5,618 sq ft mansion was constructed in 1954 and Alpert paid a whopping $9.42 Million for it. The five-bedroom and six-bathroom mansion boasts a large swimming pool, a beautiful waterfront, and a fireplace.
• Mansion in Pacific Palisades: According to some public records, Herb Alpert and his wife Lani Hall, purchased a beautiful mansion in 2006 for $2.48 Million. The Spanish-style home, built in 1928, spans almost 2,500 square feet. The gated two-story residence boasts four bedrooms, three bathrooms, a formal dining hall, and a spacious living room. On a side note, celebrities like Adam Sandler and Larry David also own a mansion here. In September 2010, the couple put the property on the market for $2.6 Million. Since then, there is not much information about the outcome of the listing.

Apart from these properties, Alpert has reportedly bought and sold various properties in Southern California over the years, though details on specific addresses and houses are relatively not known publicly.

How many cars does Herb Alpert own?

Unlike many other famous and high-profile celebrities, Herb Alpert is not particularly known for his large car collection. Apart from his focused interest in music, art, and philanthropy, there is no public information about the cars he owns or collects.

What are Herb Alpert’s charitable contributions?

Herb Alpert is actively involved in philanthropy, focusing on supporting the arts, music education, and community development. The musician's significant charitable contributions include-

• The Herb Alpert Foundation: In 1988, Herb Alpert founded The Herb Alpert Foundation. The Foundation supports music and arts education, youth development, and environmental initiatives. It also funds various PBS programs.
• Donation to Harlem School of the Arts: In 2010, Herb Alpert donated $9.7 Million to the Harlem School of the Arts, helping it avoid closure and revitalize its programs. In 2019, he donated another $3 Million, and the school's facility was renamed the Herb Alpert Center.
• Donation to California Institute of the Arts (CalArts): In 2008, Herb Alpert contributed $15 Million to the Herb Alpert School of Music at CalArts. In 2016, Alpert again donated $10.1 Million to CalArts, establishing a tuition-free scholarship program.
• Donation to UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music: Herb Alpert donated $30 Million to establish UCLA's Herb Alpert School of Music, making it the first school of music within the University of California system.

What’s next for Herb Alpert?

In September 2024, Herb Alpert released his 50th album called "50.” In an interview, he shared that he has been married for 50 years and will be celebrating his 90th birthday next year. The album begins with a new song from Herb Alpert, "Dancing Down 50th Street.” Herb Alpert also announced that he was forming a new Tijuana Brass group and would do a tour in 2025, to celebrate the landmark Whipped Cream and Other Delights album. The tour is titled Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass & Other Delights and is set to stay in action starting December 2024 to March 2025.