The 90-year-old music
icon was found unresponsive at his home in St. Charles County, Missouri, on 18
March and medics were unable to revive him. His family announced the death on
the musician’s Facebook page, noting that Berry’s health had “deteriorated
recently.” Bob Baldori, an attorney and musician who worked with Berry for at
least 50 years, has now told People.com that the Johnny B. Goode singer was an
“astute” businessman who took all of his contracts into his own hands.
“He was very clear
about his terms and very astute about the negotiations and he was always really
good about adhering to the terms of his contracts,” Baldori explained. He said
that Berry commanded $20,000-$30,000 for a performance, and due to the rocker’s
“extensive real estate interests,” Baldori says it wouldn’t surprise him if
Berry’s remaining estate was worth at least $50 million.
The music icon
invested hundreds of thousands of dollars into real estate, including his
30-acre Missouri compound, Berry Park, Billboard reports.
“That doesn’t even get
into his potential revenue from licensing, publishing etc.,” Baldori told
People. “(Berry) knew what he was doing.”
Although the musician
had slowed down in the years leading up to his death, his lawyer said Berry was
still touring and making “substantial” amounts of money.
Baldori says thanks to
his savvy nature, planning for the future and his iconic hits, Berry’s estate
will likely see more money over the next few years.
“The stature of his
(back) catalogue... I think that estate will continue to generate revenue for a
long time,” he said.
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