Rayoplanet rocknewsrock news

Rush, U2, Foos Amongst Biggest Earning Of 2011

See which bands earned the most money last year

Published 12th Mar 2012

Billboard has revealed its top 40 earners in the US during 2011, and while there a handful of rockers in there it seems that pop music is really where the money is right now.

U2 were the highest earners in the rock genre with a massive $35m to their name. Bon Jovi also made the top ten with a not-insignificant $19m.

Elsewhere, Paul McCartney must be pretty happy that both he AND the Beatles were in the top 40.

The figures were calculated based upon touring revenue, digital and physical sales and revenue generated by streaming sites and radio play.

Here's the top 40:

  1. Taylor Swift – $35,719,902
  1. U2 – $35,116,315
  1. Kenny Chesney – $29,837,103
  1. Lady Gaga – $25,353,039
  1. Lil Wayne – $23,178,722
  1. Sade – $16,382,809
  1. Bon Jovi – $15,835,836
  1. Celine Dion – $14,261,515
  1. Jason Aldean – $13,409,011
  1. Adele – $13,081,909
  1. Glee Cast - $12,587,771
  1. Journey - $12,313,822
  1. Elton John - $11,973,990
  1. Katy Perry - $11,969,426
  1. Toby Keith - $10,413,127
  1. Britney Spears - $10,090,973
  1. Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band - $10,017,031
  1. Rascal Flatts - $9,639,270
  1. Tim McGraw - $9,335,258
  1. Michael Buble - $9,027,177
  1. Brad Paisley - $8,602,374
  1. Rihanna - $7,660,833
  1. Enrique Iglesias - $7,448,670
  1. The Beatles - $6,743,863
  1. Paul McCartney - $6,726,519
  1. Lady Antebellum - $6,676,450
  1. Keith Urban - $6,579,695
  1. Zac Brown Band - $6,481,564
  1. Rod Stewart - $6,388,756
  1. Usher - $6,292,586
  1. Foo Fighters - $6,013,257
  1. Rush - $5,819,304
  1. Backstreet Boys - $5,712,050
  1. Sugarland - $5,632,406
  1. Justin Bieber - $5,523,459
  1. New Kids On The Block - $5,519,805
  1. Steely Dan - $5,389,509
  1. Motley Crue - $5,376,272
  1. Kanye West - $5,363,661
  1. Linkin Park - $5,190,655

You can read all about the list HERE