ForgottenPassword said:

It's those blasted headphones - they're everywhere here in London.

I still doubt those figures though...

I know some wealthy musicians that don't ever share their account numbers to Forbes.

Diddy?? Jay-Z??? Musicians???

too funny

HuMpThAnG said:

Diddy?? Jay-Z??? Musicians???

too funny

I'm really surprised to see Sade on that list. 33 million? Wow! No wonder she only puts out records now once every 10 years. She's not hurting for money. Good for her!

kitbradley said:

I'm really surprised to see Sade on that list. 33 million? Wow! No wonder she only puts out records now once every 10 years. She's not hurting for money. Good for her!

that's what I thought. Get it, Sade!!

.

Sade has to split it 4 ways though. People forget that Sade is a band, but Sade the woman is still doing good.

Some of these "musicians" and musicians generate more from other ventures that have nothing to do with music. If they limited it to money earned from music then the list would be changed drastically and some of them might not even be on it.

MickyDolenz said:

Sade has to split it 4 ways though. People forget that Sade is a band, but Sade the woman is still doing good.

How people forget lol

Gunsnhalen said:

Idk anyone that can name a Take That song, but overseas these guys are beyond huge.... but i didn't know they where making that type of bank

Rest of the list isn't much of a surpise.

Gary Barlow probably makes the most of it as the principal songwriter. Whenever they tour now it's a huge stadium affair that sells out instantly. They're bigger now than they ever were 20 years ago.

kitbradley said:

I'm really surprised to see Sade on that list. 33 million? Wow! No wonder she only puts out records now once every 10 years. She's not hurting for money. Good for her!

Sade did tour this year which would have boosted the coffers too

HonestMan13 said:

Some of these "musicians" and musicians generate more from other ventures that have nothing to do with music. If they limited it to money earned from music then the list would be changed drastically and some of them might not even be on it.

That is why the list is almost useless.

HonestMan13 said:

Some of these "musicians" and musicians generate more from other ventures that have nothing to do with music. If they limited it to money earned from music then the list would be changed drastically and some of them might not even be on it.

I would like to se a REAL Highest Paid singers/artists list where 100% money gain is from MUSIC alone.

mjscarousal said:

HonestMan13 said:

Some of these "musicians" and musicians generate more from other ventures that have nothing to do with music. If they limited it to money earned from music then the list would be changed drastically and some of them might not even be on it.

I would like to se a REAL Highest Paid singers/artists list where 100% money gain is from MUSIC alone.

Adele would most likely top the list since she's sold more than anyone has in years.

I'm under the impression that many of those that are making a lot of money do it in a way that they would never let it known publicly how much they make (Prince, for example).

At the same time, I find it hard to believe someone like Rihanna or Katy Perry are (*) actually ever getting to use that money that they've allegedly been "paid".

[edit: * eh, grammatical error]

[Edited 12/1/12 9:23am]

novabrkr said:

I'm under the impression that many of those that are making a lot of money do it in a way that they would never let it known publicly how much they make (Prince, for example).

At the same time, I find it hard to believe someone like Rihanna or Katy Perry are actually ever getting to use that money that they've allegedly been "paid".

I agree. Unless the merchandise sells during their tours, I don't know how they make their money. Katy probably gets more than Rihanna because she gets writing credit.

no wonder he's not in a hurry to release that new album Why bother? He's found another way to make millions.

There are many ways to make money in the entertainment industry that don't really get talked about. Bullshitting your sponsors about the costs, for example.

novabrkr said:

There are many ways to make money in the entertainment industry that don't really get talked about. Bullshitting your sponsors about the costs, for example.

And remember back in the '50s and '60s, some R&B artists would go to concert halls, venues and clubs and come with a pistol if money didn't come fast enough for them. They're gonna get their money sooner or later.

You'd think that with 50 million in her pocket Rihanna could afford at least a pair of pants.

Terrib3Towel said:

mjscarousal said:

I would like to se a REAL Highest Paid singers/artists list where 100% money gain is from MUSIC alone.

Adele would most likely top the list since she's sold more than anyone has in years.

Ellie said:

Gunsnhalen said:

Idk anyone that can name a Take That song, but overseas these guys are beyond huge.... but i didn't know they where making that type of bank

Rest of the list isn't much of a surpise.

Gary Barlow probably makes the most of it as the principal songwriter. Whenever they tour now it's a huge stadium affair that sells out instantly. They're bigger now than they ever were 20 years ago.

I don't understand their popularity?

Talentless? Crap music? Yes Yes Yes.

Azz said:

Ellie said:

Gary Barlow probably makes the most of it as the principal songwriter. Whenever they tour now it's a huge stadium affair that sells out instantly. They're bigger now than they ever were 20 years ago.

I don't understand their popularity?

Talentless? Crap music? Yes Yes Yes.

I really loathed Take That the first time around. Probably because I was their target demographic and I was surrounded by their fans at school. I really don't mind the new stuff though, but some of it is a bit samey.

It cant be just a nostalgia thing because all of the other boy-band revivals turning into man-groups haven't been anywhere near as successful.

My guess is the artists are paid in cash maybe about 30-35%, then after their team is paid (managers, entourage, etc) they probably take home about 15-20%. Then after taxes they are only left with half of that.

So a more accurate list would be if you divided these numbers by three, subtract 10%, then cut that number in half.

Ellie said:

Azz said:

I don't understand their popularity?

Talentless? Crap music? Yes Yes Yes.

I really loathed Take That the first time around. Probably because I was their target demographic and I was surrounded by their fans at school. I really don't mind the new stuff though, but some of it is a bit samey.

It cant be just a nostalgia thing because all of the other boy-band revivals turning into man-groups haven't been anywhere near as successful.

Yeah just ask New Kids on the Block...

Terrib3Towel said:

My guess is the artists are paid in cash maybe about 30-35%, then after their team is paid (managers, entourage, etc) they probably take home about 15-20%. Then after taxes they are only left with half of that.

So a more accurate list would be if you divided these numbers by three, subtract 10%, then cut that number in half.

That's pretty much accurate. Because the labels got the rest of that money unless they own that label and its copyright.

Timmy84 said:

Yeah just ask New Kids on the Block...

Now they're my guilty pleasure. Have seen then 3 times in concert since they re-formed. I'd go again any time they're in town. Way more fun than Take That but unfortunately not many agree. Hmph.

Ellie said:

Timmy84 said:

Yeah just ask New Kids on the Block...

Now they're my guilty pleasure. Have seen then 3 times in concert since they re-formed. I'd go again any time they're in town. Way more fun than Take That but unfortunately not many agree. Hmph.

It's strange. Though their music was sometimes corny, New Kids were way better vocalists and performers and yet they always get the short stick. Take That was always corny and yet they're still making hit records and selling out concert tours in Europe. I don't get it.

novabrkr said:

You'd think that with 50 million in her pocket Rihanna could afford at least a pair of pants.

If she wore pants she wouldnt have 50 million.

novabrkr said:

I'm under the impression that many of those that are making a lot of money do it in a way that they would never let it known publicly how much they make (Prince, for example).

At the same time, I find it hard to believe someone like Rihanna or Katy Perry are (*) actually ever getting to use that money that they've allegedly been "paid".

[edit: * eh, grammatical error]

[Edited 12/1/12 9:23am]

1. Prince – $110 000 000
2. Roger Waters – $88 000 000
3. Elton John – $80 000 000
4. U2 – $78 000 000
5. Take That – $69 000 000
6. Bon Jovi – $60 000 000
7. Britney Spears – $58 000 000
8-9. Paul McCartney – $57 000 000
8-9. Taylor Swift – $57 000 000
10-11. Justin Bieber – $55 000 000
10-11. Toby Keith – $55 000 000
12. Rihanna – $53 000 000
13. Lady GaGa – $52 000 000
14. Foo Fighters – $47 000 000
15-16. Diddy – $45 000 000
15-16. Katy Perry – $45 000 000
17. Kenny Chesney – $44 000 000
18. Beyoncé – $40 000 000
19. Red Hot Chili Peppers – $39 000 000
20. Jay-Z – $38 000 000
21. Coldplay – $37 000 000
22-23. Adele – $35 000 000
22-23. Kanye West – $35 000 000
24. Michael Bublé – $34 000 000
25. Sade – $33 000 000

LiLi1992 said:

1. Dr Dre – $110 000 000
2. Roger Waters – $88 000 000
3. Elton John – $80 000 000
4. U2 – $78 000 000
5. Take That – $69 000 000
6. Bon Jovi – $60 000 000
7. Britney Spears – $58 000 000
8-9. Paul McCartney – $57 000 000
8-9. Taylor Swift – $57 000 000
10-11. Justin Bieber – $55 000 000
10-11. Toby Keith – $55 000 000
12. Rihanna – $53 000 000
13. Lady GaGa – $52 000 000
14. Foo Fighters – $47 000 000
15-16. Diddy – $45 000 000
15-16. Katy Perry – $45 000 000
17. Kenny Chesney – $44 000 000
18. Beyoncé – $40 000 000
19. Red Hot Chili Peppers – $39 000 000
20. Jay-Z – $38 000 000
21. Coldplay – $37 000 000
22-23. Adele – $35 000 000
22-23. Kanye West – $35 000 000
24. Michael Bublé – $34 000 000
25. Sade – $33 000 000

Dre is at the top because of those stupid headphones not because of music.