1. Dr. Dre: $620 million
The superproducer’s payout from Apple’s $3 billion purchase of Beats gave him the biggest single-year payday of any musician in history.
2. Beyoncé: $115 million
Queen B’s most lucrative year came courtesy of her Mrs. Carter Show world tour, a surprise album and endorsements with the likes of Pepsi and H&M.
3. The Eagles: $100 million
The ageless rockers’ ongoing History Of The Eagles tour helped them earn more last year than Lady Gaga, Kanye West and Miley Cyrus—combined.
4. Bon Jovi: $82 million
The tail end of their Because We Can Tour, which grossed a quarter of a billion dollars, pushed the New Jersey natives into the top five.
5. Bruce Springsteen: $81 million
In yet another tour-fueled bonanza, The Boss justified his name, grossing more than $4 million per night with the E Street Band.
6. Justin Bieber: $80 million
More problems, more money: Despite his despicable behavior, Bieber’s last tour helped him to the biggest payday of his career. (Read more: "Justin Bieber, Venture Capitalist: The Forbes Cover Story").
7. One Direction: $75 million
The boy band’s earnings soared to new heights thanks to lucrative live dates, Pepsi commercials and another No. 1 album, Midnight Memories.
8. Paul McCartney: $71 million
The oldest member of the top ten, 72-year-old McCartney rocked his way around the world—and grossed more than $3.5 million per city.
9. Calvin Harris: $66 million
The former stockboy is the world’s top-paid DJ, scoring six-figure nightly fees and millions more producing hits for Rihanna and others.
10. Toby Keith: $65 million
Country’s cash king is a diversified money machine, boasting his own record label, mescal line and restaurant chain. (Read more: "Toby Keith, Cowboy Capitalist: The Forbes Cover Story").
11. Taylor Swift: $64 million
Though she missed the top ten by a hair, Swift still scored the highest annual total of her career—and figures to top it next year with her upcoming world tour.
12. Jay Z: $60 million (tie)
Beyoncé’s husband had his best year since 2010, fueled by a stadium co-bills and ventures including D’Ussé, Armand de Brignac and Roc Nation. (Read more in the book Empire State of Mind: How Jay Z Went From Street Corner To Corner Office).
12. Diddy: $60 million (tie)
The ageless impresario rarely tours, but padded his coffers with cash from Diageo’s Ciroc vodka. He’s hoping to repeat the feat with his purchase of DeLeon tequila.
12. Bruno Mars: $60 million (tie)
Possibly the most memorable performer at last year’s Super Bowl, Mars grossed over $100 million on his Moonshine Jungle Tour. (Read more: "From Cereal To Super Bowl: The Evolution of Bruno Mars").
15. Justin Timberlake: $57 million
Playing arenas alongside Jay Z propelled Timberlake to his biggest payday years; the renaissance man also earns from acting roles, a restaurant and clothing line.
16. Pink: $52 million
Though she doesn’t get quite as much press as some of her fellow list members, road warrior Pink out-earned Lady Gaga and Miley Cyrus.
17. Michael Bublé: $51 million
Another singer making millions on live music, Bublé banked over $1 million per city on his latest tour.
18. Rihanna: $48 million
The Barbados-born diva has reliably cranked out hits like “Diamonds” and “The Monster,” part of the reason she has over 90 million Facebook fans.
19. Rolling Stones: $47 million
More than half a century into their career, the Stones are still as staggeringly profitable as ever, grossing close to $10 million per tour stop.
20. Roger Waters: $46 million
Though he’s no longer a part of Pink Floyd, his The Wall Live tour grossed nearly half a billion dollars; the tail end propelled him to the top 20 of this list.
No comments:
Write commentsWhat do you think?