U2, Paul McCartney Among Forbes’ Top 10 Top-Grossing Musicians of the Decade

2019-12-25

Bono of U2 – Story by Charles Ken, photo by Anne Erickson

Forbes’ list of the highest-grossing musicians of the decade includes some pop and rap acts, but rock is on there, too

Forbes’ annual list of wealthiest musicians is usually jam-packed with pop and rap names, and when looking at the tally for the entire decade, pop still rules, but some rock acts make a solid showing.

The top rock act of the decade, according to Forbes, is U2. They’re No. 4 on the list, with $675 million earned during the 2010s. The publication states that U2’s worldwide 360 Tour grossed more than $700 million, and when that cash is adjusted for inflation, it’s actually more than $800 million. That’s actually highest amount for a tour since Forbes started doing the tally.

Elton John comes in at No. 6 with $565 million earned during the 2010s. According to Forbes, what helped was that John has performed farewell tour dates, plus “fueled up his bank account with a decade of stadium shows and Vegas residency dates.”

Paul McCartney of The Beatles comes in at No. 8 on the tally with $535 million earned during the decade.

The highest-grossing musician of the decade, states Forbes, is rapper and producer Dr. Dre, who brought in roughly $950 million. Much of that came from when Forbes Apple bought out Beats, the headphone company Dr. Dre co-owned, for a whopping $3 billion.

Forbes’ 10 Top-Earning Musicians of the Decade:

1. Dr. Dre — $950 million
2. Taylor Swift — $825 million
3. Beyoncé — $685 million
4. U2 — $675 million
5. Diddy — $605 million
6. Elton John — $565 million
7. Jay-Z — $560 million
8. Paul McCartney — $535 million
9 Katy Perry — $530 million
10. Lady Gaga — $500 million

Charles Ken
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Posted by Charles Ken | Music, Rock, Rock News

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