The biggest names in Rock & Roll are also the Cash Kings of music. They have earned the right to be on the list of the top 10 richest rock stars in the world [and] they continue to sell out shows and are must-see attractions in each city they perform in. The rock stars have managed to stay relevant through decades with classic music catalogs and timeless hit songs that have them all claiming themselves as Hall of Famers in music.
The one thing these artists have in common is that, to this day, they still perform. Many of them are still touring. Since they are still marquee attractions, they can pack stadiums and sell out arenas with ease. Fans are still clamoring to see them, either for the first time as part of their bucket list experience, while others have seen them over and over again.
Leading the way on this list of the world’s Richest Rock Stars are frontman in legendary bands like The Beatles and U2. The majority of this list hails from the United Kingdom, with a few Americans and an Irishman sprinkled in, making sure the “British Invasion” is still paying dividends.
Check out 10 Of The World’s Richest Rock Stars below, according to ledgernote.com.
1. Paul McCartney
Net Worth: $1.2 Billion
Many people would agree that there is no bigger legend in music today than the iconic Paul McCartney. As part of the most famous band to ever walk the planet, The Beatles, he helped write and perform some of the most influential songs to hit the airwaves.
McCartney, 80, has made songs that ring out in pop culture today, such as “Hey Jude,” “Yesterday,” and “Let It Be,” all of which went No. 1. His start as a businessman came when he launched Apple Records with John Lennon to help preserve their music. He also purchased the rights to other rock ‘n’ roll legends, including Buddy Holly and Carl Perkins, through his company MPL.
McCartney’s longevity as a part of the band Wings and later in his solo career kept him in the spotlight longer than any other musician on this list. The 18-time Grammy Winner still sells out stadiums everywhere to this day. He has been a part of more No. 1 albums than anyone, with a total of 27, 19 of which were part of The Beatles, five with Wings, and three as solo albums.
2. Bono
Net Worth: $800 Million
Bono, the frontman of the influential band U2, has made his mark on the music industry. He has accumulated 22 Grammys and two Golden Globes throughout his musical career. Bono is hailed as one of the leading philanthropists among celebrities.
His own charitable efforts, including DATA, EDUN, the ONE Campaign, and Product Red, have helped aid in the fight against extreme poverty and HIV/AIDS in Africa. Bono has put on benefit concerts to help facilitate donations for those causes.
These pursuits have not gone unnoticed as he has been honored as TIME Magazine Man of the Year and has received a Knighthood title.
3. Bruce Springsteen
Net Worth: $650 Million
Bruce Springsteen, who has received the nickname, The Boss, has done it all in his career. He has sold millions of albums worldwide, has won 20 Grammys, and has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Springsteen is also still one of the most popular touring acts in Rock music.
At 73, he still loves to perform alongside the E Street Band in packed arenas. And he will continue to do so during his 2023 tour run. Springsteen was most recently awarded a National Medal of Arts in 2023. This goes along with the Presidential Medal of Freedom that he was awarded in 2016.
4. Jimmy Buffett
Net Worth: $600 Million
Jimmy Buffett undeniably has a sound that’s all his own. His island vibes that he has created in his music, along with the Coral Reefers, have set him apart from other artists of his genre.
“Margaritaville,” Buffett’s smash hit, has made him a fortune in more ways than one, as his franchise of bar and grills with the same name have become staples in many cities around the globe.
From Nashville to the Virgin Islands to Puerto Rico, folks can find a Margaritaville at many tourist stops. The business venture has raked in $110 million. Buffett’s beachwear merchandise has become popular with many tourists around the country who travel to tropical getaways or go to his concerts to see him on tour
5. Elton John
Net Worth: $550 Million
Elton John’s timeless hits have graced generations of fans from all over the world. From “Rocketman” to “Can You Feel The Love Tonight,” he became one of the most known dynamic music composers. The recent biopic Rocketman was one of many reasons John made this list, along with his consistent touring and performing.
John is one of the best-selling artists of all time, having sold over 300 million records worldwide. He recently remixed his 1971 hit “Tiny Dancer” with Britney Spears. His extravagant lifestyle matches his earnings as he owns a classic car collection that boasts many rare cars.
6. Sting
Net Worth: $540 Million
Sting first made a name for himself as a member of the British band The Police. He has won Best Song of the Year at the Grammys with the classic soft rock ballad “Every Breath You Take.”
As he embarked on his solo career, nearly ten years later, he achieved even more success, winning a total of 17 Grammy Awards throughout his career and a Golden Globe for the song “Until.” He has also won an Emmy and has been nominated for four Golden Globes awards.
Sting has been enshrined in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Songwriters Hall of Fame. His songs “Every Breath You Take,” “Roxanne,” and “Message in a Bottle” are a few of the most memorable hits in popular music history . And they are still being played to this day. Having roles in film, television, and theater has also contributed to Sting’s hefty resume.
7. Mick Jagger
Net Worth: $520 Million
Mick Jagger and The Rolling Stones are the quintessential touring band. Jagger can give Paul McCartney a run for his money as the most famous rock star still going. Jaggers’s stage presence has been imitated by people everywhere, and he has influenced generations of rock artists with his theatrics on stage.
Jaggar has topped the charts more than a dozen times and has written classic songs for The Rolling Stones, such as “Jumpin Jack Flash,” “Gimme Shelter,” and “Sympathy for the Devil.”
As one of the oldest touring musicians, Jagger – an honorary Knighthood – claims he has no plans to retire anytime soon as he and his bandmate – the next entry on this list – Keith Richards continue to go strong.
8. Keith Richards
Net Worth: $520 Million
It’s impossible to have The Rolling Stones without Keith Richards. He is a co-writer and lead guitarist for the world-famous band. Paul McCartney had John Lennon, while Mick Jagger had Richards, which enabled one of music’s greatest rivalries between The Rolling Stones and The Beatles.
The rivalry made everyone better musically and financially, including Richards, who had a large part in creating timeless hits like “Beast of Burden” and “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction.” Their addition of Blues sounds to the rock ‘n’ roll genre can mainly be contributed to Richards’s mastered guitar riffs and stellar compositions. Richards, with his running mate Jagger will continue to be on stage performing all over the world.
Richards is no stranger to film as well, having been a part of the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise.
9. Eric Clapton
Net Worth: $450 Million
Eric Clapton has never had to venture outside of the world of music to build his wealth. As a talented musician, he has grown a whopping net worth of over $450 million simply by doing what he knows best.
Regarded as one of the most influential guitarists in rock music, Clapton helped popularize the Gibson brand and has landed on guitar-mastery lists in Rolling Stone and Gibson, according to ledgernote.com.
Clapton, who was born in England, has joined bands like Cream, The Yardbirds, Blind Faith, and many more, but he has also found success as a solo act. His musical prowess has even landed him in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame three times.
10. Jon Bon Jovi
Net Worth: $410 Million
Jon Bon Jovi was a fixture in rock music for much of the ‘80s, and he has continued to make music decade after decade with his band Bon Jovi. The group has released over 14 albums and has sold more than 120 million records worldwide. Bon Jovi has also won numerous awards and accolades, plus a place in the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
But Bon Jovi doesn’t just make music, although if he wanted to, he’d have enough to live quite comfortably. However, he has also dipped into the acting world, playing roles in movies like The Leading Man, New Year’s Eve, No Looking Back, and more.
Bon Jovi is also the founder and primary owner of the Arena Football League Team, The Philadelphia Soul.
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