Prince is now king. The high-energy rocker was the top-earning music act of 2004.

The oddball hit-maker, who once changed his name to an unpronounceable symbol and was considered washed up, took $56.5 million to the bank from concerts and CD sales, according to Rolling Stone's list of Top 50 moneymakers of 2004.

"With $90.3 million in ticket sales, Prince returned to center stage after a decade in the commercial wilderness," says the mag, which based its findings on ticket and record sales, publishing and other related revenue.

Prince, whose smashes include "Purple Rain" and "1999," beat out perennial cash cow Madonna, who came in at No. 2, with $54.9 million, thanks to her "Re-Invention Tour," four children's books and the "American Life" CD.

Madonna actually grossed more on tour, but Prince took home a bigger piece of the pie because of lower production costs — it took 24 trucks to haul the Material Girl's tour around, while Prince's relatively bare-bones show needed only 12.

Also on the comeback trail was Metallica. The heavy-metal dinosaurs were No. 3, with $43.1 million, thanks to their "Madly in Anger With the World Tour," and sales of 1.4 million copies of their old records.



At No. 4 was Elton John, who carted away $42.9 million from his splashy act, including his debut on the Las Vegas Strip.

And don't make fun of Parrotheads — they stash their green where Jimmy Buffet is. The "Margaritaville" man, in fifth place, took home $36.5 million from concerts, his "License to Chill" album and his chain of retail stores, nightclubs and restaurants.

Rod Stewart likes his girlfriends younger and younger, but it's the older and older hits that bring in the bacon.

The raspy-voiced crooner earned $34.6 million, thanks to his sold-out shows, his latest album of standards, "Stardust: The Great American Songbook, Vol. 3," and publishing revenue.

At No. 7 is country beauty Shania Twain, with $33.2 million.


And Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel can still strum up a fortune. The duo reunited to split a $1 million-per-night guarantee in the United States to win the 10th spot.

The top rap act was 50 Cent, who at No. 19, grabbed $24.9 million.

Prince?

PRINCE?!?

Thanks for posting this article. Someone told me it was in todays New York Post and I was looking all over the net trying to find it.

here's another link, to a CNN article:

http://money.cnn.com/2005...rs/prince/

That's excellent news. Now he can really say that he's #1 at the bank!

GO PRINCE!!!!

"Also on the comeback trail"

I gotta laugh when i hear this crap. Comeback trail please.... and throwing the so called comeback into a "metallica" type comeback? Even worse.

Great news for Prince, but where is Usher on the list? Since you couldn't turn on the radio last year without hearing an Usher song, he's had numerous hit records, sold millions of albums and toured, you'd think he'd be higher up on the list. But I don't see him mentioned at all.
I guess touring really is where the real money's at. Warner Bros. Records? Prince don't need no stinkin' Warner Bros. Records.

What does that chart say about the (lack of) quality musical acts from the 90's and this decade when the top money makers are all from the 70's and 80's?

Novabreaker said:

That's what I'm screamin'!!! Oh well, get your money man.!!! Congrats.

To all the UNBELIEVERS. PRINCE will ALWAYS BE NUMBER 1! MTV WAKE UP!!!!!

It's a bit telling that when comparing the gross earnings of music entertainers for 2004, Prince came in 4th, far behind the likes of Madonna, and perhaps Celine Dion...but when comparing how much each artist actually takes home, he comes in first..lol Not sure if Rolling Stone considered Celine Dion or not...
[Edited 2/9/05 14:11pm]

Zelaira said:

Yeah...and while you're at it, play more Jimmy Buffet on MTV, too!!

See this means much more than having a number one album.

It shows that you can make MORE money and profits as an Independent than with a major.

Usher sold like what?? 8 million records. But with all the production cost, marketing cost,,tour sharing cost, because he had to tour with other big name stars,,etc. etc. His profits were no where near Prince!!!!

jamaulredmond said:

Sooo true... ..I think the article I read last month listed Usher as one of the top three musical artists in terms of gross income...but when only considering what HE got to keep, he apparently drops quite a bit...I wonder how he feels when he considers that fact??

leadline said:

I don't get u guys. I love Prince as much as the next freak and I've been listening to him all the way, but if 2004 was not a comeback then what the ***** is?! The guy was off the radar tottaly and then was right back on top. Just cause we still listen doesn't mean the world is, and that's what journos are talking about when they talk about comebacks.

$56 million!!!

I might hit him up for a loan to fix my roof.

Something to be proud of, this is the first time I believe he's been in this position. GOOD FOR HIM.

I am so happy for Prince. But now he has more money to sue his fans.

Every time I see a list like this, I am reminded one just one thing: I'm in the wrong business. LOL Seriously, though, I imagine this has to feel nice for Prince. Compelete creative control does pay, but like a business, it takes a few years for it to kick in.

shygirl said:

I know what you mean. Usher has the potential to something bigger than Confessions, and this new video for Caught Up is an example, But seriously, isn't this what Prince predicted many years ago? And now who's laughing (all the way to the bank with over $50 mil.? Definitely not Warner Bros., that's for sure. Nyah, nyah, nyah...

vivid said:

Remember many years ago, when Prince said, "A work of art is successful by virtue of its creation"? The same principles applies here. There are so many different ways to stay at the top of the music biz, and commercial success is just one of them, and certainly not the most important one. Just because the general public didn't listen to him as much for a while doesn't mean that he stopped making music. Think about that.

Who? Prince? That skinny MF with the high voice ???

I got a gold tooth, costs more than your house
I got a diamond ring on four fingers, each one the size of a mouse

One of the main reasons why Prince had such a big tour is all that stuff about playing the hits for the last time. It drew a lot of casual fans out of the woodwork with the notion that this was the last time they would get to hear Purple Rain etc. It was almost touted as a 'farewell' tour. Madonna, Elton John etc didn't need to say that this would be the last time they would be playing their hits to get huge audiences - they play their hits on every tour so people know what to expect. With Prince, you often don't.

So whether he can maintain that popularity with following tours which aren't so hit laden, I doubt. However he is well known as a tried and tested fantastic performer, so he will always do pretty well on live tours. And either way it doesn't matter to me, if I get chance to see him live, I'll see him whatever the set-list.

Let's hope he spends it well.

metalorange said:

-----
He said he would be retiring certain songs. He never said he was retiring. Just give the guy credit. He and the AGE Live did a great job promoting this tour.

metalorange said:

I think it was far more just the momentum started by his Grammy performace with Beyonce...for a whole crapload of Americans, that was the first time they've "attended" a Prince concert in maybe a decade, perhaps ever...and he blew them away. It was like free advertising, saying "you like that??...then come to the show, you'll get that and a shitload more"...and of course, he was right. From there, it was pure word of mouth and constant rave reviews in the press after each stop. Prince has a helluva lot of people who really do love his work, whether past or present...he just needed to remind a lot of people that he's worth the evening out. The low ticket price sure didn't hurt, either...it was a low-risk proposition for anyone who found themselves saying "Damn, Prince was hot!" after seeing him on the Grammys...and that superb guitar solo at the RRHOF only propelled the momentum further...

I really doubt the Musicology tour's success was due primarily to people freaking out at the idea that they won't be able to hear "Take Me With U" live ever again.
[Edited 2/10/05 7:40am]

I don't understand something in the article...it says Prince sold 90 something million in ticket sales, yet he only made 56 million. Is that a net figure?

Sure like to have some of that doe, Prince.