Top 25 Highest Earning Musicians of 2011 |
| | $ Million | |
| 1 | U2 | 195 | U2 are wrapping up the most lucrative tour in the history of music: By the time U2's two-year stint ended last summer, they sold $700m worth of tickets. years and played to more than 7 million people. Not bade for a few guys from the north side of Dublin |
| 2 | Jon Bon Jovi | 125 | Bon Jovi opened New Jersey's New Meadowlands Stadium with three consecutive sold out concerts last May and another in July. The band grossed $200 million playing 74 shows over the past 12 months and released a greatest hits album. |
| 3 | Elton John | 100 | Sir Elton sold 250 million records worldwide over the past 30 years and isn't slowing down. He grossed $204 million on 102 live shows in the past 12 months |
| 4 | Lady Gaga | 90 | LG grossed $170 million on 137 shows in 22 countries over the past 12 months. Though high production costs significantly reduced that sum, Gaga rakes in additional cash for heavy radio play, recorded music sales and endorsement deals |
| 5 | Michale Buble | 70 | MB had a profitable concert tour, heavy radio play and strong album sales to make him the 5th highest earner |
| 6 | Paul McCartney | 61 | PmcC grossed $130 million on only 30 shows over the past 12 months. $4.3 a show. Wow. |
| 6 | The Black Eyed Peas | 61 | These rockers grossed $68 million on 62 shows around the world over the past 12 months and also had attractive endorsement deals |
| 8 | The Eagles | 60 | The Eagles continue to take to the road, where they make the bulk of their money. |
| 9 | Justin Bieber | 53 | Despite being the youngest on this list. At 17 Bieber is cashing in from an international tour, new album, biopic Never Say Never and even a perfume line. |
| 10 | Dave Matthews Band | 51 | Still touring after the successful 2009 Big Whiskey and the GrooGrux King. They grossed over $1 million per night over the course of 68 shows in the past 12 months |
| 11 | Toby Keith | 50 | As well as music, Keith also profits from an endorsement deal with Ford, a mezcal line and a restaurant chain called I Love This Bar And Grill. |
| 12 | Usher | 46 | The R&B star played a lucrative concert tour to support his extended play album Versus while picking up a pair of Grammy awards. |
| 13 | Taylor Swift | 45 | TS new album Speak Now was certified triple-platinum barely a month after its October release; touring grosses some $750,000 per night. |
| 14 | Katy Perry | 44 | With her Teenage Dream album, KP is one of nine in history to boast four chart-topping singles. In business, Perry promotes for Proactiv, Adidas and Ubisoft, and has her own perfume line, Purr. |
| 15 | Brad Paisley | 40 | touring backed by sponsorships from Chevy, Skinny Water, and Sea Ray boats. |
| 16 | Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers | 38 | the bulk of the band's annual take comes from 46 dates over the past 12 months. |
| 17 | Jay-Z | 37 | out-earned wife Beyoncé for the first time since their 2008 nuptials, thanks revenues from the tail end of a world tour, endorsements and a broad portfolio of business interests. |
| 18 | AC/DC | 35 | grossing nearly $60 million on the road. |
| 18 | Sean "Diddy" Combs | 35 | Music now accounts for less than 20% of earnings for the artist formerly known as Puff Daddy, thanks to big stakes in clothing lines Sean John and Enyce, record label Bad Boy and marketing firm Blue Flame. But it's his Ciroc vodka deal that led Forbes to estimate his net worth at $475 million. Under terms he struck with beverage giant Diageo, Diddy gets an annual cut of profits plus a big piece of the pie (likely nine figures) if Ciroc is ever sold. |
| 18 | Beyonce Knowles | 35 | In the absence of new music revenue, business-focused Beyoncé cashes in on clothing line Dereon and endorsement deals with L'Oreal, DirecTV, General Mills and others. |
| 18 | Tim McGraw | 35 | in 2010 despite his label's decision to delay his new album. In addition to a lucrative tour, McGraw starred in Country Strong with Gwyneth Paltrow and his line of cologne is among the best selling celebrity scents. |
| 18 | Muse | 35 | grossed $76 million on 63 shows in the last year and has landed songs on all three Twilight soundtracks |
| 23 | Rascal Flatts | 34 | grossed $45 million on 61 shows over the past 12 months, adding to their coffers with heavy radio play and endorsements from JC Penny and others. |
| 24 | Kenny Chesney | 30 | He grossed nearly $40 million on 24 shows in support of his new album, Hemingway’s Whiskey. |
| 25 | Rihanna | 29 | grossed $1 million per night in 38 shows over the past 12 months; added more with strong sales of new album Loud, digital singles and endorsements with CoverGirl, Secret and others. |
