Composer Simón May reveals his struggle to recover after a grueling tour that pushed him to the brink.
Meet Simon May, the music maestro who wrote the theme tune for EastEnders and composed tunes for Howards' Way, Eldorado, Crossroads, and more! At 80 years old, he's still going strong. His incredible career started off as a teacher, where he caught BBC producers' attention with his co-written musical Smike. This led to composing EastEnders' theme tune and the classic hit single, Every Loser Wins, for Nick Berry.
Married for 50 years to his wife, Rosie, they reside in Guildford, Surrey. Currently, Simon is considering new venues for his popular musical, Rick!, inspired by Washington Irving's tale, Rip Van Winkle.
So, what did Simon's parents teach him about money? His father, Don, ran a furniture business and was an altruist and philanthropist, caring more about his customers than making a profit. With that in mind, Simon learned that money shouldn't be the most important thing in life. Despite his financial success, he wishes his parents had guided him more about saving for the future.
Growing up, Simon and his brother enjoyed a comfortable but not wealthy existence. Their parents made sacrifices to send them to a prestigious public school, Dauntsey's School in Wiltshire.
Your heart will skip a beat upon hearing about Simon's massive financial mistake. He financed an entire concert tour for the Simon May Orchestra through his company, resulting in an astonishing six-figure loss. This financial debacle led to desperate times for Simon, forcing him to sell their family home. However, this tough lesson instilled a strong sense of frugality in Simon, who now manages his finances more carefully.
In 1986, Simon enjoyed his golden year financially, with EastEnders, Howard's Way, and numerous chart-topping hits. This success allowed the family to purchase their home for a song—the singing royalties paid for it! The best decision? Investing in their children's education, ensuring they received a balanced education at both state and independent schools.
One of Simon's treasured possessions is an original Wurlitzer jukebox. He splurged £10,000 on it back in 1970, just before meeting his wife Rosie. As their relationship blossomed, the jukebox filled with Rosie's favorite tunes.
Now, the creative composer focuses on conserving funds, using a cash ISA for savings. He enjoys public speaking engagements and takes luxurious vacations as a well-deserved treat. If he were Chancellor, he'd impose a heavy tax on crypto dealers' profits and lift the burden on National Insurance contributions. Simon also advocates for supporting domestic industries, such as British farmers and private schools, to stimulate the economy.
Are you curious about what it takes to make it big in the music industry, similar to Simon May? Building a diverse portfolio, networking within the industry, and managing finances effectively are crucial steps toward achieving success!
- Simon May, known for composing theme tunes for shows like EastEnders, has a cash ISA for savings and is mindful of his finances.
- Despite his financial success, Simon wishes his parents had guided him more about saving for the future, as they made sacrifices to send him to a prestigious public school.
- In the past, Simon financed an entire concert tour for the Simon May Orchestra, resulting in a six-figure loss and the need to sell their family home.
- Simultaneously managing his personal finances and his successful music career, Simon has recently been considering new venues for his musical, Rick!.
- Along with his financial success, Simon May's portfolio includes an original Wurlitzer jukebox, which he splurged £10,000 on in 1970.
- Simon May's incredible career started off as a teacher and took him to composing hit singles and theme tunes for various TV shows, such as EastEnders, Howards' Way, and Eldorado.
- If Simon were Chancellor, he'd impose a heavy tax on crypto dealers' profits and lift the burden on National Insurance contributions, while advocating for supporting domestic industries like British farmers and private schools to stimulate the economy.
