1. Dr. Dre: $620 million
The superproducer’s payout from Apple’s $3 billion purchase of Beats gave him the biggest single-year payday of any musician in history.
2. Beyoncé: $115 million
Queen B’s most lucrative year came courtesy of her Mrs. Carter Show world tour, a surprise album and endorsements with the likes of Pepsi and H&M.
3. The Eagles: $100 million
The ageless rockers’ ongoing History Of The Eagles tour helped them earn more last year than Lady Gaga, Kanye West and Miley Cyrus—combined.
4. Bon Jovi: $82 million
The tail end of their Because We Can Tour, which grossed a quarter of a billion dollars, pushed the New Jersey natives into the top five.
5. Bruce Springsteen: $81 million
In yet another tour-fueled bonanza, The Boss justified his name, grossing more than $4 million per night with the E Street Band.
6. Justin Bieber: $80 million
More problems, more money: Despite his despicable behavior, Bieber’s last tour helped him to the biggest payday of his career.
7. One Direction: $75 million
The boy band’s earnings soared to new heights thanks to lucrative live dates, Pepsi commercials and another No. 1 album, Midnight Memories.
8. Paul McCartney: $71 million
The oldest member of the top ten, 72-year-old McCartney rocked his way around the world—and grossed more than $3.5 million per city.
9. Calvin Harris: $66 million
The former stockboy is the world’s top-paid DJ, scoring six-figure nightly fees and millions more producing hits for Rihanna and others.
10. Toby Keith: $65 million
Country’s cash king is a diversified money machine, boasting his own record label, mescal line and restaurant chain.
(Note: this is the same figures used in the Celebrity 100 list, just a list listing only musicians by money earned and not factoring in all the other Celebrity 100 criteria)
11. Taylor Swift: $64 million
16. Pink: $52 million
18. Rihanna: $48 million
23. Katy Perry: $40 million
24. Jennifer Lopez: $37 million
26. Miley Cyrus: $36 million
30. Lady Gaga: $33 million
Near Misses
Many musicians made double-digit millions but still fell short of the Top 30. Among them: Britney Spears, Avicii, Kanye West, Madonna, Macklemore, David Guetta, Lil Wayne, Tiesto and Birdman.
26. Miley Cyrus: $36 million (tie)
After successfully destroying any trace of Hannah Montana, Cyrus reached financial heights she hasn’t seen since her days as a teen star.
11. Taylor Swift: $64 million
16. Pink: $52 million
18. Rihanna: $48 million
23. Katy Perry: $40 million
24. Jennifer Lopez: $37 million
26. Miley Cyrus: $36 million
30. Lady Gaga: $33 million
Near Misses
Many musicians made double-digit millions but still fell short of the Top 30. Among them: Britney Spears, Avicii, Kanye West, Madonna, Macklemore, David Guetta, Lil Wayne, Tiesto and Birdman.
