17 Forbes’ Top-Earning Musicians of 2011
Let’s stroll down the musical lanes of 2011 and celebrate the individual artists who, with their musical genius and commercial acumen, climbed the financial scales to be at the top of Forbes’ list!
1. Elton John
Age: 64
Earnings: $100 million
Hits of ’11: “Home Again,” “The Diving Board”
Sir Elton John, with his inimitable style and musical elegance, continued to be a colossal figure in the music industry. A 102-show tour fueled his earnings, allowing him to secure a prestigious spot on the list.
2. Lady Gaga
Age: 25
Earnings: $90 million
Hits of ’11: “Born This Way,” “Judas,” “The Edge of Glory”
Lady Gaga, the flamboyant and innovative pop icon, didn’t just create music; she created an experience. Grossing nearly as much as Sir Elton John in her 12 months of touring, Gaga enchanted millions with her distinctive sound and extravagant performances. Despite the high production costs, she earned significant income from her music, publishing, and endorsements.
3. Roger Waters
Age: 67
Earnings: $85 million
Roger Waters, the co-founder of Pink Floyd, amassed an impressive income, highlighting the enduring appeal of his music and his monumental contribution to the world of rock.
4. Michael Bublé
Age: 36
Earnings: $70 million
Hits of ’11: “Hollywood,” “Haven’t Met You Yet”
Michael Bublé, with his velvety voice and classic charm, brought a fresh wave of jazz and pop standards to the music scene. His lucrative tours and the ability to create an intimate musical experience played a significant role in his financial success.
5. Paul McCartney
Age: 68
Earnings: $66 million
Sir Paul McCartney, one of the cornerstones of The Beatles, continued to be a beacon of musical excellence and innovation. His illustrious career and the ability to create universally loved music allowed him to amass substantial earnings.
6. Justin Bieber
Age: 17
Earnings: $53 million
Hits of ’11: “Never Say Never,” “Mistletoe”
Justin Bieber, the young sensation, captured the hearts of millions with his catchy tunes and youthful charm. His success story was a blend of talent, charisma, and a deep connection with his fans, making him the youngest musician on the list.
7. Toby Keith
Age: 50
Earnings: $50 million
Hits of ’11: “Made in America,” “Red Solo Cup”
Toby Keith is not just a maestro of country music but also a savvy businessman with multiple income streams. Besides his captivating music, he earned a substantial income from an endorsement deal with Ford, profits from his mezcal line, and revenues from his restaurant chain, I Love This Bar And Grill.
8. Usher
Age: 32
Earnings: $46 million
Hits of ’11: “DJ Got Us Fallin’ in Love,” “More”
Usher, credited with discovering pop prodigy Justin Bieber, had a fantastic year, earning millions from his lucrative concert tour to support his extended play album, “Versus.” His musical brilliance was recognized with a pair of Grammy awards.
9. Taylor Swift
Age: 21
Earnings: $45 million
Hits of ’11: “Mean,” “The Story of Us”
Whether country or pop, Taylor Swift proved to be a musical and financial powerhouse. Her album “Speak Now” achieved triple-platinum status within a month of its release, and her touring grossed around $750,000 per night.
10. Katy Perry
Age: 26
Earnings: $44 million
Hits of ’11: “Firework,” “E.T.”
Katy Perry created history with her album “Teenage Dream,” one of the nine albums to have four chart-topping singles. Beyond her musical feats, Perry expanded her commercial horizons with endorsements for Proactiv, Adidas, and Ubisoft, and launched her perfume line, Purr.
11. Brad Paisley
Age: 38
Earnings: $40 million
Hits of ’11: “This Is Country Music,” “Old Alabama”
Brad Paisley’s distinctive sound and strong touring, backed by sponsorships from Chevy, Skinny Water, and Sea Ray boats, contributed to his substantial earnings.
12. Jay-Z
Age: 41
Earnings: $37 million
Hits of ’11: “Otis,” “N****s in Paris”
Jay-Z, with his unassailable flair and business brilliance, continued to rule the realms of hip-hop. His diverse ventures, spanning music, sports, and lifestyle, coupled with his unparalleled musical creations, established him as one of the foremost figures in the entertainment industry.
13. Beyoncé Knowles
Age: 30
Earnings: $35 million
Hits of ’11: “Run the World (Girls),” “Best Thing I Never Had”
Beyoncé, with her dynamic presence and powerful vocals, remained a force of nature in the music industry. Even as one part of the power couple with Jay-Z, her individual brilliance, musical versatility, and influential style made her one of the top earners and trendsetters of the year.
14. Sean “Diddy” Combs
Age: 41
Earnings: $35 million
Hits of ’11: “Coming Home,” “Hello Good Morning”
Sean “Diddy” Combs continued to evolve his empire, with music now accounting for less than 20% of his earnings. His diverse portfolio includes clothing lines Sean John and Enyce, record label Bad Boy, and marketing firm Blue Flame. However, it’s his deal with Ciroc vodka that elevated his net worth to an estimated $475 million.
15. Tim McGraw
Age: 44
Earnings: $35 million
Hits of ’11: “Felt Good on My Lips,” “Better Than I Used to Be”
Tim McGraw, with his versatile talents, made significant earnings through his music and acting, starring in “Country Strong” with Gwyneth Paltrow, and from his best-selling line of cologne.
16. Kenny Chesney
Age: 43
Earnings: $30 million
Hits of ’11: “Live a Little,” “You and Tequila”
Kenny Chesney continued his successful journey in the music world, grossing nearly $40 million on shows in support of his album, “Hemingway’s Whiskey.”
17. Rihanna
Age: 23
Earnings: $29 million
Hits of ’11: “S&M,” “Only Girl (In the World)”
Rihanna, with her eclectic style and powerful vocals, grossed $1 million per night over 38 shows, supplementing her income with strong sales of her album “Loud,” digital singles, and endorsements with brands like CoverGirl and Secret.
