1. U2 ($195 million)
The ageless rockers are wrapping up the most lucrative tour in the history of music: By the time U2′s two-year trek ends this summer.
2. Bon Jovi ($125 million)
Who says you can’t go home? Bon Jovi opened New Jersey’s New Meadowlands Stadium with three consecutive sold out concerts last May and another in July.
3. Elton John ($100 million)
Sir Elton has sold 250 million records worldwide over the past 30 years and isn’t slowing down, grossing $204 million on 102 live shows in the past 12 years.
4. Lady Gaga ($90 million)
The Queen Monster grossed $170 million on 137 shows in 22 countries over the past 12 months. Though high production costs significantly reduced that sum.
5. Michael Buble ($70 million)
The Canadian crooner rode a lucrative concert tour, heavy radio play and strong album sales all the way to a spot among music’s top five earners.
6. Paul McCartney ($67 million)
The former Beatle could just sit back and collect checks — he’s the most commercially successful songwriter in the history of popular music.
7. The Black Eyed Peas ($61 million)
The business-friendly rockers grossed $68 million on 62 shows around the world over the past 12 months and added to their coffers with lucrative endorsement.
8. The Eagles ($60 million)
The ageless rockers continue to take it to the limit — especially on the road, where they make the bulk of their money.
9. Justin Bieber ($53 million)
At age 17, Bieber is the youngest on the list, raking in cash from an international tour, new album, biopic Never Say Never and even a perfume line.
10. Dave Mathews Band ($51 million)
Still touring after the success of 2009’s Big Whiskey and the GrooGrux King, the band grossed over $1 million per night over the course of 68 shows in
11. Toby Keith ($50 million)
It’s not just music that makes money for this country star: Keith also profits from an endorsement deal with Ford, a mezcal line and a restaurant chain
12. Usher ($46 million)
The R&B crooner credited with discovering Justin Bieber had quite a year himself, playing a lucrative concert tour to support his extended play album
13. Taylor Swift ($45 million)
Country or pop? Either way, there’s no question that Swift is a moneymaking machine: new album Speak Now was certified triple-platinum barely a month after .
14. Katy Perry ($44 million)
Perry’s album Teenage Dream is one of nine in history to boast four chart-topping singles. No stranger to business, Perry shills for Proactiv and Adidas .
15. Brad Paisley ($40 million)
Country star had a banner year, thanks to strong touring backed by sponsorships from Chevy, Skinny Water, and Sea Ray boats.
16. Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers ($38 million)
Some acts seem to have an infinite shelf life on the road, and Tom Petty is one of them–the bulk of the band’s annual take comes from 46 dates.
17. Jay-Z ($37 million)
The Empire State of Mind rapper out-earned wife Beyoncé for the first time since their 2008 nuptials, thanks revenues from the tail end of a world tour.
18. AC/DC ($35 million, tie)
Scotland-born and Australia-bred, AC/DC continued to shake audiences all night long, grossing nearly $60 million on the road.
18. Sean “Diddy” Combs ($35 million, tie)
Music now accounts for less than 20% of earnings for the artist formerly known as Puff Daddy, thanks to big stakes in clothing lines Sean John and Enyce,
18. Beyoncé Knowles ($35 million, tie)
The Houston-born diva ranks unusually low on our list because she didn’t tour or release an album this year. In the absence of new music revenue, business-focused .
18. Tim McGraw ($35 million, tie)
A jack of all trades, McGraw made big bucks in 2010 despite his label’s decision to delay his new album. In addition to a lucrative tour, McGraw starred.
18. Muse ($35 million, tie)
The Britain-based rock group grossed $76 million on 63 shows in the last year and has landed songs on all three Twilight soundtracks–leading bassist Chris .
23. Rascal Flatts ($34 million)
The country stars grossed $45 million on 61 shows over the past 12 months, adding to their coffers with heavy radio play and endorsements from JC Penny
24. Kenny Chesney ($30 million)
The sexiness of his tractor aside, Chesney has a lot to sing about this year. He grossed nearly $40 million on 24 shows in support of his new album, Hemingway’s
25. Rihanna ($29 million)
The Barbados-born singer grossed $1 million per night in 38 shows over the past 12 months; added more with strong sales of new album Loud, digital singles.
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