8 Forbes’ Top-Earning Musicians of 2010
The musical vibrations of 2010 were not only exhilarating but also exceptionally lucrative for some splendid solo artists and here we look at the individual musicians who made it to Forbes’ top in 2010.
1. Beyoncé Knowles
Age: 29
Earnings: $87 million
Hits of ’10: “Sweet Dreams,” “Video Phone,” “Why Don’t You Love Me”
Beyoncé’s dominance in the music industry was unmissable in 2010. Her versatility and global appeal were unparalleled, with a diverse range of endorsement deals, including Nintendo and L’Oreal, and the expansion of her fashion line, House of Dereon. The 93-stop world tour was a colossal success, grossing $86 million.
2. Bruce Springsteen
Age: 61
Earnings: $70 million
Hits of ’10: “The Wrestler,” “Working on a Dream”
Bruce Springsteen, with his enduring appeal and poignant lyrics, continued to strike a chord with fans around the world. His world tour was a phenomenal success, grossing $167 million and selling more than 2 million tickets.
3. Britney Spears
Age: 29
Earnings: $64 million
Hits of ’10: “3,” “Hold It Against Me”
Britney Spears, the pop sensation, silenced the critics with a phenomenal year, featuring the fifth highest-grossing tour in the world and bringing in $130 million from 98 dates. The spotlight was firmly back on her with high-profile endorsement deals with Elizabeth Arden and Candie’s.
4. Jay-Z
Age: 40
Earnings: $63 million
Hits of ’10: “Empire State of Mind,” “On To The Next One”
Jay-Z, the mogul of the hip-hop world, showcased his business acumen and musical genius in tandem. His investments in the 40/40 nightclub chain, the Broadway show “Fela!” and the New Jersey Nets basketball team were as successful as his Blueprint 3 tour, which grossed over $1 million per concert.
5. Lady Gaga
Age: 24
Earnings: $62 million
Hits of ’10: “Bad Romance,” “Telephone,” “Alejandro”
Lady Gaga burst onto the scene with her unconventional style and electrifying music, capturing imaginations worldwide. Her 106-date tour grossed $95 million, and her distinctive brand appeal led to collaborations with Polaroid, Virgin Mobile, Monster Cable, and Viva Glam.
6. Madonna
Age: 52
Earnings: $58 million
Hits of ’10: “Revolver,” “Celebration”
Madonna, the indomitable Material Girl, continued her reign with the fourth highest-grossing tour of 2009, accumulating $6 million a night and a total of $138 million. Her presence in an episode of the Fox hit sitcom Glee and significant earnings from publishing royalties added to her enduring influence and commercial success.
7. Kenny Chesney
Age: 42
Earnings: $50 million
Hits of ’10: “Ain’t Back Yet,” “Somewhere with You”
Kenny Chesney was the undoubted king of the country music realm, with his 2009 tour grossing $71 million and substantial sponsorships with Corona and MasterCard, enhancing the profitability of his ventures.
8. Toby Keith
Age: 49
Earnings: $48 million
Hits of ’10: “Trailerhood,” “Bullets in the Gun”
Toby Keith, the embodiment of country resilience and flair, continued to enrich the musical landscape in 2010. With gross concert earnings of $30 million and an array of lucrative private concerts for corporations, Toby Keith stood as a towering figure in the country music domain. His diverse business ventures, including a growing chain of restaurants and stakes in several publishing companies, added layers to his financial portfolio.
