by Matt Bishop [via Forbes.com/Zack O’Malley Greenburg] | November 30, 2016
Forbes Magazine has released its list of The World’s Highest-Paid Musicians of 2016, and rock music is well-represented. Nine of the thirty top-grossing acts of the year fall into the rock, alternative, or hard rock/metal categories. The Rolling Stones and AC/DC both cracked the top ten, each hauling in over $66 million. The statistics take into account album and single sales, touring revenue, merchandise sales, and endorsements. View the full list below:
30. Drake – $38.5 million
29. Jennifer Lopez – $39.5 million
28. Mumford & Sons – $40 million
27. Jimmy Buffett – $40.5 million
25. Katy Perry – $41 million
25. Dr. Dre – $41 million
24. Elton John – $42 million
22. Toby Keith – $47.5 million
21. Foo Fighters – $48.5 million
19. Luke Bryan – $53 million
18. Jay Z – $53.5 million
17. Beyonce – $54 million
15. The Weeknd – $55 million
15. U2 – $55 million
13. Kenny Chesney – $56 million
13. Justin Bieber – $56 million
12. Paul McCartney – $56.5 million
11. Bruce Springsteen – $60.5 million
9. Calvin Harris – $63 million
8. The Rolling Stones – $66.5 million
7. AC/DC – $67.5 million
6. Garth Brooks – $70 million
5. Rihanna – $75 million
4. Madonna – $76.5 million
3. Adele – $80.5 million
2. One Direction – $110 million
1. Taylor Swift – $170 million