U2: the world's highest-paidmusicians, again

Mon 20th Jun, 2011 in International News

U2’s massive 360 tour helped the it’s paid off for the Irish stars, who have been named the highest-paid musicians in the world in a new survey by the US magazine Forbes.

Forbes estimates that the band made $195 million (US) last year, a lazy $70m more than the second-placed act, Bon Jovi. Last year’s list saw U2 credited with slender income of just $130m for the year.

The list shows the US is still the main source of income for musical millionaires with acts such as Dave Matthews Band, Toby Keith, Tim McGraw, Rascal Flatts, Kenny Chesney and Brad Paisley making the cut. Aww yeah – commercial country! Truly the people’s soundtrack!

Forbes’s 25 highest-paid musicians in the world:
1. U2 ($195m)
2. Bon Jovi ($125m)
3. Elton John ($100m)
4. Lady Gaga ($90m)
5. Michael Bublé ($70m)
6. Paul McCartney ($67m)
7. Black Eyed Peas ($61m)
8. The Eagles ($60m)
9. Justin Bieber ($53m)
10. Dave Matthews Band ($51m)
11. Toby Keith ($50m)
12. Usher ($46m)
13. Taylor Swift $45m)
14. Katy Perry ($44m)
15. Brad Paisley ($40m)
16. Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers ($38m)
17. Jay-Z ($38m)
18. AC/DC ($35m)
19. Sean “Diddy” Combs ($35m)
20. Beyoncé ($35m)
21. Tim McGraw ($35m)
22. Muse ($35m)
23. Rascal Flatts ($34m)
24. Kenny Chesney ($30m)
25. Rihanna ($29m)

Check out last year’s list