Pretty Good Money for a Newbie!

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bookslover

Puritan Board Doctor
When trumpeter and bandleader Harry James (1916-1983) hired Frank Sinatra (1915-1998) to be the boy singer in his new band in 1939, he paid Sinatra $75 per week.

$75 per week is $3,900 per year. Adjusted for inflation, that works out to just under $71,500 a year in today's money.

So, $75 a week was pretty good money to start a career on!
 
When trumpeter and bandleader Harry James (1916-1983) hired Frank Sinatra (1915-1998) to be the boy singer in his new band in 1939, he paid Sinatra $75 per week.

$75 per week is $3,900 per year. Adjusted for inflation, that works out to just under $71,500 a year in today's money.

So, $75 a week was pretty good money to start a career on!

At least he didn't sell his soul for a mere $75.
 
It isn't that much if Sinatra had to pay his own room and board while on the road (which was all the time). I know they often travelled by chartered bus, but I don't think bandleaders paid for lodging.

I spent time playing trombone on a cruise ship. It only paid $300 per week (in 1989) but food, lodging, medical, dental, and entertainment were all included on the ship. My only expense was postcards.
 
It isn't that much if Sinatra had to pay his own room and board while on the road (which was all the time). I know they often travelled by chartered bus, but I don't think bandleaders paid for lodging.

I spent time playing trombone on a cruise ship. It only paid $300 per week (in 1989) but food, lodging, medical, dental, and entertainment were all included on the ship. My only expense was postcards.

That's interesting. I guess if you've got minimal expenses, cruise ship work can be quite lucrative.
 
Especially if you have extravagant taste anyway. (We ate the same food as the passengers.)

It was a good gig for a 24 year old with student loans.

I think Sinatra started making good money when he signed with Tommy Dorsey. However, he still had to share a room with Buddy Rich!
 
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