for a few years stigwood was highly successful, but according to napier-bell, he lived extravagantly. the small percentages he received from emi for his recordings meant that he was largely dependent on agency and management commissions to maintain his cash flow, and gradually his company funds dwindled. stigwood also promoted pop concerts "as a quick way to make a buck" and balance the books during slow periods. he specialised in summer seaside promotions, which were sometimes highly profitable, but were also notoriously variable in their returns since they depended on the erratic english weather.