Don’t let anyone tell you there’s no money in music! Well, to be honest 99% of musicians need a day job but don’t let that statistic discourage you – if you make it as a musician you can make squillions! Provided you don’t get ripped off by band mates, record companies, dodgy managers, dodgy publishers and don’t have all the myriad financial misfortunes that tend to accompany a musician’s career, then it’s all living it up in a life of luxury for a lucky few. Forbes Magazine has just released its list of the highest paid musicians in the world. Join us as we count down the Top 10.
10. Dave Matthews Band – $51 million
Proof that writing angsty MOR commercial plodding rock can be very lucrative, Matthews is proof that talent, originality and creativity aren’t necessary to earn a lucrative living as a musician.
9. Justin Bieber – $53 million
Canadian Bieber is proof that getting caught up in the record company machine and having songwriters writing excruciating odes to puppy love where every second lyrics is ‘baby, baby, baby’ for screaming tweens is an easy way to make a swag of cash.
8. The Eagles – $60 million
The strategy here is getting all band members back together after a nasty bust up and realise that all your baby boomer fans are willing to pay through the nose to see you trot out the soundtrack to their youths. The band may all hate each other but you can put up with a lot for that sort of money.
7. Black Eyed Peas – $61 million
The Black Eyed Peas are laughing all the way to the bank after making a killing by cornering the market in safe hip hop that white, middle class Americans like and aren’t intimidated by.
6. Paul McCartney – $67 million
Macca only needs to blow his nose to make his fans want to cough up cash to see and listen to him, but hey, this is the closest that most people in the world will ever get to seeing The Beatles – you can’t begrudge him earning a pretty penny, especially after having to pay out gold digging former wife Heather Mills.
5. Michael Bublé – $70 million
Never, ever underestimate the pulling power of a crooner making offensively bland music for bored housewives and retired grannies – as he’s discovered, they’re a gold mine.
4. Lady Gaga – $90 million
Even if you’re one of the most outrageous self promoters and most visible people on the planet, ‘ol Stephanie Germanotta still needs to work hard to rake it in. She’s perpetually on tour because she understands that’s where the real money is these days.
3. Elton John – $100 million
There’s no jumping in the back of the Tarago to go on tour for Elton. Private jets and first class flights, luxury accommodation and wheelbarrows to carry out all the cash me makes for rolling out his greatest hits to loyal fans. You’ve gotta understand where he’s coming from though – he’s just become a father – and gold dummies, crystal baby bottles, diamond studded rattles, mink bunny rugs and cashmere nappies don’t come cheap.
2. Bon Jovi – $125 million
They haven’t had a hit for years but let’s face it – the fans only want to hear the old stuff; and Bon Jovi gives them that in arenas and stadiums across the USA while they rake in enough to provide permed hair to every male on the planet for the rest of their lives.
1. U2 – $195 million
Bono’s back injury last year seriously affected the earning capacity of one of Ireland’s biggest exports, but getting the 360® Tour back on the road has been not only a boost to the band’s overflowing bank accounts, but to the struggling Irish economy as well.
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