Imagine turning a small investment into a fortune. That's exactly what happened to Roddy Bottum, keyboardist for the iconic band FAITH NO MORE. He shared his incredible story on the 'The Hustle: Music & Money' podcast, revealing how an early bet on Apple stock transformed him into a multi-millionaire. This story isn't just about financial success; it's a peek into a fascinating era and a testament to making unconventional choices.
Bottum's investment, made in the early 1990s, was a modest $12,000. Thanks to stock splits and impressive growth, this investment has provided him with financial security. But how did a musician, known for his groundbreaking music, get involved in the stock market in the first place?
As Roddy explained, it was all part of the rebellious spirit of San Francisco at that time. He and his friends, a group of 'provocative kids' who challenged norms, found the stock market to be an intriguing, almost absurd, target of their attention.
'We were watching the stock market just 'cause it was so uncool and so ridiculous and so over the top,' Roddy explained. It was a way to stir things up, to be different. He was 'tutelaged' by his boyfriend, who taught him the ropes of the stock market.
The actual investment came later, after a FAITH NO MORE tour. He received a check for $12,000, the money he earned from the tour. He had no immediate use for it. That's when his boyfriend, 'the insane bipolar boyfriend,' suggested buying Apple stock. At the time, Apple was in a slump, and Steve Jobs hadn't returned.
'And it was at the time when sort of Apple stock was at its absolute most base,' Roddy said. He bought the stock and held onto it, and the rest, as they say, is history.
But here's where it gets controversial... Bottum acknowledges that this investment was pure luck, a 'crazy happenstance.' He admits that it's a strange thing to discuss, even in his own memoir, 'The Royal We.'
Roddy's willingness to take risks and embrace unconventional friendships has paid off. As he says, 'there's always a payoff for sort of the risks that I'm willing to take and the friendships that I make.'
Regarding his current life, Roddy clarified that while he has the luxury of financial freedom, he remains deeply involved in music. He is actively making music.
His memoir, 'The Royal We,' released on November 4, 2025, through Akashic Books, delves into his life's journey, from Los Angeles to San Francisco, his time with FAITH NO MORE, his struggles with addiction, and his status as a queer icon. The book promises to be a deeply personal work filled with humor, commentary, and reflection.
What do you think? Do you believe that luck plays a significant role in financial success? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
If you're interested in hearing more from Roddy Bottum, he will be discussing 'The Royal We' at various bookstores across the U.S. in January and February:
- Jan. 26 - Brooklyn, NY @ Greenlight Bookstore, 7:30 p.m., with Frank Haines
- Jan. 29 - Stamford, CT @ Ferguson Library, 6:30 p.m.
- Jan. 30 - Baltimore, MD @ Atonic Books, 7 p.m. with Rahne Alexander
- Jan. 31 - Washington, DC @ Politics & Prose (Union Mkt),6 p.m., with Rich Morel
- Feb. 1 - Havertown, PA (Near Philly) @ Moore Books, 1 p.m., with Alex Auder
- Feb. 2 - South Hadley, MA @ Odyssey Books, 7 p.m., with Andrea Lawlor
- Feb. 3 - Cambridge, MA @ Porter Square Books, 7 p.m.
- Feb. 8 - Providence, RI @ Riffraff Books, 6 p.m., with Amra Brooks
- Feb. 10 - Chicago, IL @ City Lit, 6:30pm, with Nate Lippens
- Feb. 12 - Portland, OR @ Powell's City Of Books, 7 p.m.
- Feb. 13 - Seattle, WA @ Elliott Bay Book Company, 7 p.m.
- Feb. 15 - Atlanta, GA @ A Capella Books (At Criminal Records),4pm, with Chad Radford
- Feb. 16 - Nashville, TN @ Novelette Booksellers, 6:30 p.m.
