Roland Orzabal Net Worth - Pulptastic

What is Roland Orzabal’s Net Worth?

Roland Orzabal, the British musician, songwriter, and record producer, has a net worth of $40 million. He co-founded Tears for Fears, an English pop rock band, and has been the only constant member of the group since its inception. Orzabal has appeared on every Tears for Fears album, from “The Hurting” in 1983 to “The Tipping Point” in 2022.

Tears for Fears released their debut studio album, “The Hurting,” in 1983, which reached #1 on the UK Albums chart. Their 1985 album, “Songs from the Big Chair,” reached #1 in the US, Germany, and The Netherlands, and #2 in the UK and New Zealand. Their third album, “The Seeds of Love,” in 1989, was also a commercial success, reaching #1 in the UK and the Top 10 in several other countries.

The band’s two biggest hits were “Shout” and “Everybody Wants to Rule the World,” both of which reached #1 on the US Billboard 200 and continue to be heard in commercials, TV shows, and movies to this day. Tears for Fears has sold over 30 million albums worldwide and over 8 million in the US.

Orzabal has also released a solo album, “Tomcats Screaming Outside,” and has penned a romantic comedy novel, “Sex, Drugs, and Opera,” which was published in 2014. He has won two Ivor Novello Awards for songwriting.

Roland Orzabal Early Life and Career

Roland Orzabal was born in Portsmouth, England, in 1961 to Spanish and Argentine parents. He grew up in Havant and Bath, attending Culverhay School in the former. Orzabal was interested in music from a young age and began writing songs early on. He also joined the Zenith Youth Theatre Company while in Havant.

Orzabal’s Early Music Career

As a teenager, Orzabal performed with classmate John Baker at local pubs and clubs, often opening their shows with Simon & Garfunkel’s “Mrs. Robinson.” The pair later formed the band Graduate with drummer Andy Marsden, keyboardist Steve Buck, and bass guitarist Curt Smith. Graduate released their debut album “Acting My Age” in 1980, which included the single “Elvis Should Play Ska.” Orzabal left the band shortly after completing a tour of Germany in late 1980.

Orzabal Joins New Wave Group Neon

Roland Orzabal left Graduate and joined Neon, a new wave group consisting of Pete Byrne, Rob Fisher, Neil Taylor, and Manny Elias. The band released several singles before disbanding in late 1981.

Tears for Fears and Orzabal’s Success

Roland Orzabal is best known for his role as guitarist, vocalist, and primary songwriter in the pop rock band Tears for Fears, which he co-founded with Curt Smith in 1981. Their debut album, “The Hurting,” was a major success, reaching number one on the UK Albums Chart and producing hit singles like “Mad World,” “Change,” and “Pale Shelter.” Their 1985 album, “Songs from the Big Chair,” launched two number-one US singles, “Shout” and “Everybody Wants to Rule the World.” Despite a falling out with Smith in 1991, Orzabal continued to record under the Tears for Fears name, releasing albums like “Elemental” and “Raoul and the Kings of Spain” in the 90s. Orzabal and Smith eventually reconciled and released the album “Everybody Loves a Happy Ending” in 2004. Their latest album, “The Tipping Point,” released in 2022, received critical acclaim and gave the band their highest chart position in 30 years.

Roland Orzabal’s Solo Album “Tomcats Screaming Outside”

Roland Orzabal released a solo album in 2001 called “Tomcats Screaming Outside.” Alan Griffiths co-produced the album and contributed guitar and keyboards. The first single from the album was “Low Life.”

Orzabal’s Notable Producing Credits

Roland Orzabal is known for his work as a producer, particularly with singer and pianist Oleta Adams. He co-produced her hit album “Circle of One” in 1990 and co-wrote the album’s lead track “Rhythm of Life.”

Additionally, Orzabal co-produced Icelandic singer-songwriter Emilíana Torrini’s album “Love in the Time of Science” and co-wrote two tracks for the album, “Wednesday’s Child” and “Baby Blue.”

Roland Orzabal’s Debut as an Author

Roland Orzabal, best known as the frontman of Tears for Fears, made his debut as an author in 2014 with his romantic comedy novel “Sex, Drugs & Opera.” The book centers around Solomon Capri, a middle-aged pop star who participates on the reality television show “Popstar to Operastar” to revive his career and marriage.

Personal Life

Roland Orzabal married his longtime girlfriend Caroline Johnston in 1982, and they had two sons together. Unfortunately, Johnston passed away in 2017 due to alcoholism-related cirrhosis and dementia.

Five years after Johnston’s passing, Orzabal married Emily Rath, a photographer and writer.