The Richest Lead Singers in the World

Random Celebrity Article By Brian Warner on February 20, 2013

Who are the richest lead singers in the world? The vocalists on this list have sung for bands like The Beatles, Metallica, Guns N' Roses and The Rolling Stones to name a few. But which lead singer is also the lead money maker? There's no better job on the planet than being the front man/woman for a major rock band. Not only do lead singers get most of the glory, attention, accolades and groupies… they also make a TON of money. As we compiled the list below, we learned that if you want to make a huge fortune as a lead singer, it definitely helps if you also happen to be a prolific song writer. Furthermore, it doesn't hurt that these top earners have been in some of the most famous bands in music history with 30+ year careers touring stadiums all over the world and selling millions upon millions of records. The fact that many of the richest lead singers are still performing today is a testament to their talent (or maybe they just love making millions of dollars and getting showered with adulation). Oh, and even if you don't have an amazing voice, there's still a ton of money to be made in a band as we learned with our list of the richest drummers in the world. But for today we are going to take a look at the richest lead singers, did your favorite artists make that cut?

Richest Lead Singers in the World

***The figures contained in this list were acquired from all publicly available information including salaries, real estate holdings, divorces, record sales, royalties and endorsements. The final net worths come from a formula that takes out taxes, manager's fees, agents' fees, and lifestyle.***

The 50 Richest Lead Singers in the World:

#1: Paul McCartney Net Worth – $800 Million (The Beatles)
#2: Bono Net Worth – $600 Million (U2)

***There was a time when Bono's net worth could have topped $1 billion. Through his private equity venture Elevation Partners, Bono purchased a 1.5% private stake in Facebook long before the IPO. Had the company achieved a $100 billion market cap, Bono may have been the first billionaire rock star. Currently Facebook's market cap is $44 billion.***

#3: Jimmy Buffett Net Worth – $400 Million
#4: Elton John Net Worth – $320 Million (Solo)
#5: Mick Jagger Net Worth – $305 Million (The Rolling Stones)
#6: Gene Simmons Net Worth – $300 Million (KISS)
#7: Sting Net Worth – $290 Million (The Police, Solo)
#8: Phil Collins Net Worth – $250 Million (Genesis, Solo)
#9: Dave Matthews Net Worth – $250 Million (Dave Matthews Band)
#10: Prince Net Worth – $250 Million
#11: Dave Grohl Net Worth – $225 Million (Foo Fighters, Nirvana on drums)
#12: Rod Stewart Net Worth – $220 Million
#13: David Bowie Net Worth – $215 Million
#14: Bruce Springsteen Net Worth – $200 Million (The E Street Band)
#15: Don Henley Net Worth – $200 Million (The Eagles, Solo)
#16: Lionel Richie Net Worth – $200 Million (Commodores, Solo)
#17: James Hetfield Net Worth – $175 Million (Metallica)
#18: Billy Joel Net Worth – $160 Million
#19 : Axl Rose Net Worth – $150 Million (Guns N' Roses)
#20: Roger Waters Net Worth – $145 Million (Pink Floyd)
#21: David Gilmour Net Worth – $130 Million (Pink Floyd)
#22: Steven Tyler Net Worth – $130 Million (Aerosmith)
#23: Jon Bon Jovi Net Worth – $125 Million (Bon Jovi)
#24: Paul Stanley Net Worth – $125 Million (KISS)
#25: Anthony Kiedis Net Worth – $120 Million (Red Hot Chili Peppers)
#26: Sammy Hagar Net Worth – $120 Million (Van Halen)
#27: Robert Plant Net Worth – $120 Million (Led Zeppelin)
#28: Bruce Dickinson Net Worth – $115 Million (Iron Maiden)
#29: Eric Clapton Net Worth – $115 Million (Cream, Solo)
#30: Brian Johnson Net Worth – $90 Million (AC/DC)
#31: Ozzy Osbourne Net Worth – $90 Million (Black Sabbath, Solo)
#32: George Michael Net Worth - $90 Million (Wham!, Solo)
#33: Gwen Stefani Net Worth – $80 Million (No Doubt, Solo)
#34: Eddie Vedder Net Worth – $80 Million (Pearl Jam)
#35: Bob Dylan Net Worth – $80 Million
#36: Brian Wilson Net Worth – $75 Million (The Beach Boys)
#37: Michael Stipe Net Worth – $75 Million (R.E.M.)
#38: Trey Anastasio Net Worth – $75 Million (Phish)
#39: Tom Petty Net Worth – $75 Million (Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers)
#40: Joe Elliott Net Worth – $70 Million (Def Leppard)
#41: Peter Gabriel Net Worth – $70 Million (Genesis, Solo)
#42: Glenn Frey Net Worth – $70 Million (The Eagles, Solo)
#43: John Fogerty Net Worth – $68 Million (Creedence Clearwater Revival)
#44: Stevie Nicks Net Worth – $65 Million (Fleetwood Mac, Solo)
#45: Roger Daltrey Net Worth – $65 Million (The Who)
#46: Neil Young Net Worth – $65 Million
#47: Joe Walsh Net Worth – $65 Million (The Eagles, Solo)
#48: Chris Cornell Net Worth – $60 Million (Soundgarden, Audioslave)
#49: Mark Hoppus Net Worth – $60 Million (Blink 182)
#50: Tom DeLonge Net Worth – $60 Million (Blink 182)
#51: Chris Martin Net Worth – $60 Million (Coldplay)
#52: Billie Joe Armstrong Net Worth – $55 Million (Green Day)
#52: Liam Gallagher Net Worth – $50 Million (Oasis)
#53: Vince Neil Net Worth – $50 Million (Motley Crue)
#54: Billy Corgan Net Worth – $50 Million (Smashing Pumpkins)
#55: Steve Perry Net Worth – $45 Million (Journey)
#56: Jon Anderson Net Worth – $45 Million (Yes)
#57: Maynard James Keenan Net Worth – $45 Million (Tool)
#58: Jonathan Davis Net Worth – $45 Million (Korn)
#59: David Gahan Net Worth – $45 Million (Depeche Mode)
#60: David Lee Roth Net Worth – $40 Million (Van Halen)
#61: David Byrne Net Worth – $40 Million (Talking Heads)
#62: Trent Reznor Net Worth – $40 Million (Nine Inch Nails)
#63: Kid Rock Net Worth – $37 Million
#64: Thom Yorke Net Worth – $35 Million (Radiohead)
#65: Pat Benatar Net Worth – $32 Million
#66: Jack White Net Worth – $30 Million (The White Stripes)
#67: Scott Stapp Net Worth – $30 Million (Creed)
#68: Chad Kroeger Net Worth – $30 Million (Nickelback)
#69: Peter Frampton Net Worth – $30 Million (Humble Pie, Solo)
#70: Geddy Lee Net Worth – $28 Million (Rush)
#71: Marilyn Manson Net Worth -$25 Million
#72: Zack de la Rocha Net Worth – $50 Million (Rage Against the Machine)
#73: Rob Halford Net Worth – $25 Million (Judas Priest)
#74: Chester Bennington Net Worth – $25 Million (Linkin Park)
#75 : Dave Mustaine Net Worth – $20 Million (Metallica, Megadeath)
#76: Ian Anderson Net Worth – $20 Million (Jethro Tull)
#77: Geoff Tate Net Worth: $17 Million (Queensrÿche)
#78: Gregg Allman Net Worth – $15 Million (Allman Brothers)
#79: Sully Erna Net Worth – $15 Million(Godsmack)
#80: Tom Araya Net Worth – $14 Million (Slayer)
#81: Jacoby Shaddix Net Worth – $12 Million (Papa Roach)
#82: Bret Michaels Net Worth – $12 Million (Poison)
#83: Scott Weiland Net Worth – $10 Million (Stone Temple Pilots)
#84: David Draiman Net Worth – $10 Million (Disturbed)
#85: Phil Anselmo Net Worth – $8 Million (Pantera)
#86: Fred Durst Net Worth – $8 Million (Limp Bizkit)

Brian Warner

Prior to launching Celebrity Net Worth, Brian spent seven years as the Managing Editor of one of the largest entertainment portals on the internet. Before that, Brian attended Georgetown University where he double majored in finance and marketing. A native of Northern California, Brian currently resides in Los Angeles. Follow him on Google+.

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