Forbes ranks filthy rich musicians

January 26, 2007 10:39 a.m. by Justin Sheppard

Via: Stereogum
Forbes Magazine released its annual list of the top earners in the U.S. music biz this week. While the top spot is no surprise, some of the names that cracked the top ten were a little unexpected, at least to me. The list is skewed though, insofar as it doesn't account for sponsorships, merchandise sales or any revenue made outside the U.S.--only tour gross and album sales in the States.
01. The Rolling Stones ($150.6 million)
02. Tim McGraw / Faith Hill ($132 million)
03. Rascal Flatts ($110.5 million)
04. Madonna ($96.8 million)
05. Barbra Streisand (95.8 million)
06. Kenny Chesney ($90.1 million)
07. Celine Dion ($85.2 million)
08. Bon Jovi ($77.5 million)
09. Nickelback ($74.1 million)
10. Dave Matthews Band ($60.4 million)
Dave Matthews earned more than Justin Timberlake in 2006? Something is desperately wrong with that. Of course, with Timberlake apparently getting in the pants of both Scarlett Johansson and Jessica Biel, we know who the real winner is.

9 Responses

January 26, 2007 at 10:55 a.m.

China

Nevermind Dave Matthews Band earning more than Justin - how the hell did Nickelback earn more than Dave Matthews Band??? At least DMB has a cult following among the country's hippie bootleggers.

January 26, 2007 at 11:01 a.m.

Justin Sheppard

Pretty sure Dave doesn't get a cut of the hippie-made bootlegs. But yeah, i see your point. I'd like to apologize on behalf of all Canadians for unleashing Nickelback onto the world. They were supposed to remain our secret shame.

January 26, 2007 at 11:07 a.m.

Brian Reid

What about Rascal Flatts? I wouldn't recognize them if they were sitting next to me, let alone know one of their songs.

January 26, 2007 at 11:07 a.m.

mk	this list is another piece of evidence in my case against middle america.

January 26, 2007 at 12:48 p.m.

Matthew Gasteier

Justin didn't really start to tour until this year, so I think that accounts for it.Nickelback and Rascal Flatts are super depressing. There isn't much music I won't let my kids listen to, but they are going to be on the short list.

January 26, 2007 at 1:49 p.m.

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January 26, 2007 at 2:34 p.m.

China

DMB doesn't get any money from those bootlegs, but all those hippies have to pay ridiculous ticket prices to get into their shows for the purpose of making those bootlegs. I know someone who followed Dave and co. around the country for years' worth of tours and wound up with a whole CD book filled with his live shows. There are many more where he came from.On another note, does anyone else think it's unfair for a married couple to pair up and count themselves as one act when other singers only have their individual numbers to go off?

January 26, 2007 at 7:31 p.m.

amd

God you guys are ******* stupid.

June 18, 2007 at 4:28 a.m.

Stake

Lol.....50 Cent is now the 400 Million Dollar man.....*********!!!