1. U2 - $130 million
The
world’s biggest rock band, U2 launched a massive world tour in 2009
that has brought in more than $311 million in gross box office receipts.
Each tour stop brings in $10 million in gross ticket sales. Add in
lucrative merchandise sales, heavy radio play and a steady-selling back
catalog, and you have the highest-earning band on the planet.2. AC/DC - $114 million
This
Australian heavy metal group has been shaking audiences all night long
since 1973 and shows few signs of stopping. Second only to U2 in band
tour earnings, AC/DC grossed a staggering $226 million on a worldwide
tour that included 99 dates and brought in more than $2 million a night.
3. Beyonce Knowles -$87 million
One
half of the most famous couple in hip-hop (Jay-Z, No. 6, is the other
half), Beyoncé continues to expand her business empire beyond music.
Endorsement deals with companies ranging from Nintendo to L’Oreal and
her growing House of Dereon fashion line bring in millions of dollars
per year on top of the $86 million she grossed from a 93-stop world
tour.
4. Bruce Springsteen -$70 million
The
poet laureate of New Jersey continues to connect with fans around the
world. Backed by the E Street Band, Springsteen sold more than 2
million tickets on his world tour, which grossed $167 million, enough
to make it the third highest-grossing tour in the world. Heavy radio
play on classic rock stations and a steady-selling backlist adds to his
bottom line.5. Britney Spears - $64 million
Not
long ago, most of the entertainment world had written Britney Spears
off as a celebrity flameout. But over the last year Spears logged the
fifth highest-grossing tour in the world, bringing in $130 million in
gross box office receipts by playing 98 dates. High-profile endorsement
deals with Elizabeth Arden and Candies’ prove that the public expects
Spears to stay in the spotlight for good.6. Jay-Z - $63 million
Jay-Z
likes to say he’s not a businessman; he’s a business, man–and it’s not
idle boasting. The rapper-turned-mogul retains his crown as hip-hop’s
cash king thanks to a new album and investments in the 40/40 nightclub
chain, the Broadway show “Fela!” and the New Jersey Nets basketball
team. Jay-Z’s biggest boost comes from his Blueprint 3 tour, which
grossed over $1 million per concert this year. He still makes less than
wife Beyoncé.7. Lady Gaga - $62 million
A
newcomer to the Celebrity 100, Lady Gaga broke down the door to fame
with outlandish outfits and quirky videos, including one that featured
her and Beyonce poisoning an unappreciative boyfriend. With a 106-date
tour that grossed $95 million, Lady Gaga is also a marketer’s dream,
teaming up with Polaroid, Virgin Mobile, Monster Cable and Viva Glam.8. Madonna - $58 million
The
Material Girl isn’t quite ready to cede her spot in pop music’s
hierarchy to Lady Gaga or Britney Spears just yet. The 52-year-old
singer had the fourth highest-grossing tour of 2009, bringing in $6
million a night and $138 million overall. An episode of the Fox hit
sitcom Glee, which featured cast members singing several of her songs,
added to her already high profile and cushioned her significant earnings
from publishing royalties.9. Kenny Chesney - $50 million
Chesney
continued his reign atop the country music industry by out-touring
everyone else. His 2009 tour grossed $71 million and brought in an
average of $1.6 million every night, nearly doubling the box office
receipts of his closest competitor, Keith Urban. Prominent sponsorships
with companies like Corona and MasterCard keep tour costs down, making
the tours even more profitable.10. Black Eyed Peas - $48 million
Since
crossing over to the mainstream in the early 2000s, the Black Eyed
Peas have been everywhere from the Super Bowl pre-game show to
discussing politics on CNN. A worldwide tour that took them from
Switzerland to Mexico brought in $800,000 a night, while the band’s
openness to endorsement deals led them to ink commitments with Target,
Honda, Bacardi and Apple.