U2 headline Forbe Magazine’s annual report of the year’s top-earning musicians.
Despite Bono's show cancellations, U2 earned $130 million in the last financial year. Their 360 Degrees tour grossed $10 million per stop, with a total gross of over $311 million.This, added to consistent back catalogue sales and lucrative marketing cross-promotional deals, ensured the Irish lads were number one on the list.
AC/DC were second, with $114 million, also mostly from touring, which grossed $2 million per night. Beyonce followed up with $87 million, mostly from touring but also from big-money endorsements.
Springsteen was fourth with $70 million. Endorsements and her comeback tour saw Britney move into fifth place with $64 million.
Beyonce's hubby Jay-Z was sixth with $63 million from touring, a new album, a nightclub chain and his involvement with the New Jersey Nets basketball team.
Product endorsement and touring brought newcomer Lady Gaga to seventh place with $62 million. Glee royalties and touring found Madonna still on the list at number eight with $59 million.
Relentless touring and sponsorships helped country star Kenny Chesney to ninth place with $50 million.
Rounding out the top ten was a tie between the Black-Eyed Peas and Coldplay, both with $48 million this year from touring, merchandise and, in the Black-Eyed Peas' case, shameless product endorsements.
Hopefully these megastars can find enough five-storey-high, diamond-encrusted Picassos to soak up all that cash.
