Forbes (opens in new tab) have released their annual list of the world’s top-earning musicians – and the rock and metal world feature across the top 40.
To come up with the final figures, the website worked with Pollstar, Nielsen Music and industry insiders – including some of the artists themselves – and have taken into consideration income from “touring, music and outside business ventures.”
The list measures pre-tax earnings and has not deducted funds that would go to managers, agents or lawyers.
Top of the earners is Taylor Swift with earnings of $185 million in 2019. The first rock act to make the top 40 is Eagles (opens in new tab) at no.4, who earned $100m this year.
Elton John (opens in new tab) is at no.5 with $84m while Metallica land at no.10 with a tally of $68.5m earned in 2019.
The next rock artist in the list are Fleetwood Mac (opens in new tab) at no.21 with $49m while Paul McCartney (opens in new tab) is tied at no.22 with Ariana Grande with both earning $48m.
Gun N’ Roses (opens in new tab) are at no.25 with $44m, the Rolling Stones (opens in new tab) are at no.28 with $41m while U2 (opens in new tab) enter the top 40 at no. 39 with $37m.
Check out the full list of artists over on the Forbes website (opens in new tab).
Forbes top-earning rock musicians of 2019
- Eagles: $100m
- Elton John: $84m
- Metallica: $68.5m
- Fleetwood Mac: $49m
- Paul McCartney: $48m
- Guns N’ Roses: $44m
- Rolling Stones: $41m
- U2: $37m
