What is Tom Cochrane's Net Worth?
Tom Cochrane, a renowned Canadian musician and singer-songwriter, boasts a net worth of $10 million. He is celebrated for his solo work and as the frontman of the Canadian rock band Red Rider. Over the years, he recorded six studio albums and a live album with the band. Cochrane ventured into a solo career with the 1991 release of his album “Mad Mad World,” which sold six million copies, largely driven by the hit single “Life is a Highway.” This song topped the Canada RPM 100 chart and peaked at #6 on the US Hot 100 and US Mainstream Rock charts. The country band Rascal Flatts successfully covered the song in 2006. Another of Cochrane’s notable tracks with Red Rider is “Lunatic Fringe,” which reached #11 on the US Mainstream Rock chart. Cochrane's achievements include seven Juno Awards, membership in the Canadian Music Hall of Fame, induction into the Canadian Walk of Fame in 2009, and designation as an Officer of the Order of Canada.
Early Life
Tom Cochrane was born on May 14, 1953, in Lynn Lake, Manitoba, Canada. His family relocated to Ontario early in his life. His father was a bush pilot in several regions across Canada. Cochrane showed an interest in music from a young age and wrote his first song at the age of 11. He soon acquired his first guitar and by his teenage years, he was performing in various local bars and clubs.
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Red Rider
Cochrane’s debut solo album “Resistance” was released in 1974 when he was just 21. After playing solo for a few years, he joined Red Rider in 1978 after meeting them at Toronto’s El Mocambo Tavern. Serving as their lead singer and primary songwriter, Cochrane worked with band members Ken Greer, Jeff Jones, Peter Boynton, and Rob Baker, under the management of Bruce Allen until 1985. By 1986, the band was known as Tom Cochrane & Red Rider. Together, they produced six studio albums, a live album, a box set, and a best-of album. Though they paused in the 1990s, some members, including Cochrane, reunited in 2002 and occasionally perform.
Life is a Highway
Tom Cochrane’s solo career skyrocketed with the 1991 release of “Life is a Highway,” which became an international hit, topping the charts in Canada and reaching #6 in the US. The song’s global success also saw it charting in Australia and New Zealand. It was covered by numerous artists and featured in the popular animated film, “Cars.”
The song was part of Cochrane’s second solo album, “Mad Mad World,” which secured him four Juno Awards, including Album of the Year and Single of the Year. The album achieved Diamond status in Canada. Cochrane released several more albums, including “Ragged Ass Road” (1995), “Xray Sierra” (1999), “No Stranger” (2006), and “Take It Home” (2015). In 2016, “Mad Mad World” was re-released for its 25th anniversary, including a live concert from a 1992 Chicago tour stop, followed by a coffee table book detailing the album’s history.
His contributions to music were recognized with his 2003 induction into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame. Notably, he performed “Life is a Highway” with fellow Canadian artist Shania Twain during the award ceremony.
In 2008, Cochrane was honored as an Officer of the Order of Canada for his charitable efforts and contributions to the arts. In 2009, he was inducted onto Canada’s Wall of Fame. He received the Allan Waters Humanitarian Award in 2013 and the Henry H. Knowles Humanitarian Award in 2014. In October 2016, the Manitoba government named a section of highway near Cochrane’s hometown “Tom Cochrane’s Life is a Highway” in recognition of his impact on Canadian music.
Personal Life
Tom Cochrane married Kathy in 1983, and they have two daughters, Cody and Evanne. They reside in Oakville, Ontario, and also have a cottage and studio on the shores of Georgian Bay in Northern Ontario. Additionally, Cochrane spends part of the winter at his home near Austin, Texas. He enjoys golfing, flying planes — being a licensed pilot — and watching hockey.
