Imagine turning a modest $12,000 into a multi-million-dollar fortune by betting on a company that would revolutionize the world. Sounds like a fairy tale, right? But that’s exactly what Roddy Bottum, the keyboardist for Faith No More and Imperial Teen, did when he became an early investor in Apple. In a recent episode of The Hustle: Music & Money podcast, Roddy shared the fascinating story behind this life-changing decision, a tale he also explores in his memoir, The Royal We. Here’s the kicker: it wasn’t just luck—it was a blend of defiance, curiosity, and an unlikely mentor that set him on this path.
But here’s where it gets controversial... Roddy’s journey into the stock market wasn’t driven by financial ambition. In the early 1990s, as a punk rock kid in San Francisco, he and his friends were more interested in pushing boundaries than building wealth. They were the bicycle messengers, the black-clad rebels, the ones who reveled in being unapologetically counterculture. And what could be more uncool than obsessing over the stock market? “We followed it just to stir the pot,” Roddy admits. It was his then-boyfriend, a brilliant and provocative figure, who introduced him to the world of stocks, not as a path to riches, but as a way to challenge norms. “He tutored me in it, not because we had money to invest, but because it was fascinating and ridiculous,” Roddy recalls.
Fast forward to the moment when Roddy earned his first substantial paycheck—$12,000 from Faith No More after a grueling year and a half of touring. At the time, he was living rent-free in a San Francisco studio apartment, still working as a bicycle messenger, and had no immediate need for the money. That’s when his “insane bipolar boyfriend” convinced him to invest it all in Apple stock. “It was at its absolute lowest point,” Roddy explains. “Steve Jobs wasn’t even back at the company yet, and the iPhone was a distant dream.” He bought the stock, let it sit, and the rest is history.
And this is the part most people miss... Roddy isn’t bragging about his windfall. In The Royal We, he frames it as a testament to the unpredictable payoffs of taking risks—both in life and in relationships. “I’ve always been drawn to maniacal people,” he says. “People have judged me for it, but I see the light in the darkness. That boyfriend? He was unbearable at times, but he made me a millionaire.” It’s a bold statement that challenges the conventional wisdom about relationships and success.
Now, with the financial cushion from his Apple investment, does Roddy feel pressure to make music for money? “Not at all,” he insists. “I make music every day because I love it.” Imperial Teen just finished a record, and he’s working on projects with Crickets and Man on Man. “The Apple money is a luxury, but it’s not why I create,” he clarifies. “Artistic motivation comes from somewhere deeper.”
The Royal We, released on November 4, 2025, via Akashic Books, is far more than a musician’s memoir. It’s a raw, humorous, and reflective journey through Roddy’s life—from his early days in San Francisco to forming Faith No More, battling heroin addiction, and surviving the AIDS crisis. It’s a love letter to a bygone era, filled with stories of icons like Kurt Cobain and Courtney Love, and a candid exploration of tragedy and triumph. Written with a clear-eyed, self-assured voice, it’s both captivating and inspirational.
Here’s the question that’ll spark debate... Is Roddy’s success a result of luck, or is it a reward for his willingness to embrace the unconventional? And what does his story say about the value of taking risks in relationships and life? Let’s hear your thoughts in the comments!
If you’re eager to dive deeper into Roddy’s world, catch him on his book tour across the U.S. in January and February. Here are the dates:
- 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 @ Atomic 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 @ 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, 6:30 p.m. (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 Cappella Books, 4 p.m. (with Chad Radford)
- Feb. 16: Nashville, TN @ Novelette Booksellers, 6:30 p.m.
Photo credit: Joey Holman
