Who says you can’t make money and mosh? These metalheads didn’t just shred stages and scream into mics — they also built empires on the side. From coffee to comics, headphones to hemp farms, here are 10 metal musicians who moonlight as successful entrepreneurs. Bet you didn’t see some of these coming… 👀
1. Dave Mustaine (Megadeth) – Wine, Coffee & Crypto, Baby! 🍷☕💰
You thought Rust in Peace was ambitious? Mustaine runs a thriving wine label (House of Mustaine), launched a coffee company, and even dipped his ginger locks into cryptocurrency with the $MEGA coin. Who knew the thrash titan was such a capitalist?
“I’m not a businessman, I’m a business, man!” – probably Dave after his third Merlot.
2. Sharon & Ozzy Osbourne – Reality Royalty & Brand Bosses 📺👑
Ozzy might be the Prince of Darkness, but Sharon is the Queen of Business. Together they created The Osbournes, one of MTV’s biggest shows, making millions. Add in merch lines, TV deals, books, and you’ve got a metal power couple with more cash than bat heads. 💸🦇
3. Gene Simmons (KISS) – The Merch Machine 💋🧠
Gene Simmons trademarked everything but the actual word “KISS”. This man turned face paint into a marketing empire. From KISS-branded coffins to condoms, Gene’s cash grab knows no shame. His net worth? Around $400 million, mun. That’s a proper job.
4. Corey Taylor (Slipknot) – Books, Brews & Brains 📚🍺🧠
The masked maggot king has authored best-selling books, launched Taylor Foundation (mental health org), and opened The Hideout, his own Slipknot-themed bar in Vegas. The man has more side hustles than masks.
Still finds time to scream bloody murder on stage. What a legend. 😈
5. Zakk Wylde (Black Label Society/Ozzy) – Guitar Empire & Hot Sauce 🔥🎸
Zakk’s Wylde Audio guitars are booming, and he’s also peddling BLS hot sauce that’ll make your tongue tap out. He turned his Viking biker brand into a legit business. Now that’s what we call shred-to-shelf success!
6. Bruce Dickinson (Iron Maiden) – Airline Pilot, Fencing Master, Ale Lord ✈️🍻🤺
The man flies Boeing 747s, brews Trooper Ale, invests in airline startups, writes novels, AND leads Iron Maiden. Bruce is the CEO of doing absolutely everything. Multi-hyphenated doesn’t even cut it.
“Scream for me Heathrow!” 🛫
7. Maynard James Keenan (Tool) – Winemaker Extraordinaire 🍇🍷
Maynard swapped prog metal paranoia for vineyard peace. He runs Caduceus Cellars, a lush wine brand in Arizona. Critics love it, fans buy it in droves, and Maynard… well, he probably overthinks the fermentation process in iambic pentameter. 🍷🌀
8. Jamey Jasta (Hatebreed) – Podcaster & Brand Builder 🎤📲
Jamey isn’t just growling on stage — he’s got the Jasta Show podcast, his own record label (Stillborn Records), and a clothing line. He’s basically metal’s version of Joe Rogan, but with more breakdowns and fewer supplements.
9. Nikki Sixx (Mötley Crüe) – Author, Designer, Icon 💀📖
The Sixx Sense radio show? 📻 That was his. The Heroin Diaries book and musical? Also him. Add in his Sixx:A.M. brand, photography career, and fashion work, and you’ve got a glam god gone mogul.
From OD’ing to CEO’ing. That’s one hell of a turnaround.
10. Tom Morello (Rage Against the Machine) – Tech & Activism 💻✊
Tom’s co-founded tech ventures, launched a social justice activism app (Firebrand), and released a line of NFTs for charity. He might rage against capitalism, but he’s also savvy as hell at navigating it. C’mon butt, get you a guitarist who can do both.
🤘 Bonus Honourable Mentions:
- Duff McKagan (Guns N’ Roses) – Writes for Forbes, invested in tech startups
- Rob Zombie – Runs a horror movie empire 🧟♂️🎬
- Lzzy Hale – Clothing collabs, guitar designs, podcasting queen 👑
Final Thoughts From the Pit 🎤
Metalheads aren’t just moshing in pits – they’re making boardroom power moves and laughing all the way to the bank 💵. From wine cellars to private jets, these rockers prove you can scream for a living and own the company that makes the mic. Tidy!
Got a favourite metal mogul we missed? Shout it loud in the comments, mun! 🔥🎸
