The latest list of the highest-paid musicians is out, and with all due respect to Beyoncé and her very loyal BeyHive, it is Taylor Swift's world. Bow down to Queen Taylor and her girl squad of Swifties. Basically, Taylor Swift has more money than God. Swift made $73.5 million last year. The number two highest-paid musician, Kenny Chesney, netted – only – $39.8 million.
Swift made $61.7 million from touring during her epic 1989 world tour, $4.1 million in publishing royalties – due in no small part to Ryan Adams' brilliant reinterpretation of 1989, and $7.2 million in album sales. The 1989 world tour included cameo appearances by Mick Jagger, Julia Roberts, Joan Baez, and others. The 1989 tour was Swift's fourth tour and it played 85 shows worldwide from May 5th to December 12th, 2015. The tour is Swift's highest-grossing, with more than $250.7 million in revenue. It was also her most-attended. Swift played to 2,278,647 fans across the globe.
Kenny Chesney nabbed the second spot on the list of the best-paid. His $39.8 million haul is due in large part to his The Big Revival tour, which accounts for $38.1 of his yearly salary.
Adele is the only person in the top 10 who did not tour and still made big money. By and large, to bring in the big bucks in the music industry today, you have to go on the road.
Let's take a look at the 15 highest-paid musicians of the past year and how much they made touring, publishing, streaming, and selling records.
#15: Elton John
Total Revenue: $12.4 million
Touring: $11.4 million
Publishing: $189,300
Streaming: $250,60
Album Sales: $614,200
Net Worth: $475 million
#14: Madonna
Total Revenue: $12.7 million
Touring: $11.4 million
Publishing: $237,500
Streaming: $286,100
Album Sales: $778,500
Net Worth: $800 million
#13: Dave Matthews Band
Total Revenue: $14.1 million
Touring: $13.3 million
Publishing: $215,900
Streaming: $271,100
Album Sales: $310,600
Dave Matthews Net Worth: $300 million
#12: Shania Twain
Total Revenue: $14.4 million
Touring: $13.8 million
Publishing: $82,600
Streaming: $112,100
Album Sales: $412,200
Net Worth: $370 million
#11: Jason Aldean
Total Revenue: $18.9 million
Touring: $17.1 million
Publishing: $23,500
Streaming: $161,500
Album Sales: $1.6 million
Net Worth: $60 million
#10: Maroon 5
Total Revenue: $19.2 million
Touring: $13.0 million
Publishing: $2.6 million
Streaming: $796,400
Album Sales: $2.7 million
Adam Levine Net Worth: $60 million
#9: Adele
Total Revenue: $20.5 million
Touring: $0
Publishing: $3.7 million
Streaming: $488,000
Album Sales: $16.3 million
Net Worth: $125 million
#8: U2
Total Revenue: $21.8 million
Touring: $20.6 million
Publishing: $383,800
Streaming: $289,400
Album Sales: $465,800
Bono Net Worth: $700 million
#7: Luke Bryan
Total Revenue: $23.1 million
Touring: $17.9 million
Publishing: $694,900
Streaming: $511,500
Album Sales: $4 million
Net Worth: $47 million
#6: Grateful Dead/Dead & Company
Total Revenue: $23.8 million
Touring: $22.5 million
Publishing: $275,500
Streaming: $114,800
Album Sales: $843,300
John Mayer Net Worth: $40 million
#5: One Direction
Total Revenue: $24.2 million
Touring: $19.6 million
Publishing: $652,700
Streaming: $891,800
Album Sales: $3.1 million
Harry Styles Net Worth: $50 million
#4: Billy Joel
Total Revenue: $31.7 million
Touring: $30.1 million
Publishing: $453,200
Streaming: $339,400
Album Sales: $801,200
Net Worth: $180 million
#3: The Rolling Stones
Total Revenue: $39.6 million
Touring: $37.3 million
Publishing: $509,100
Streaming: $382,600
Album Sales: $1.4 million
Mick Jagger Net Worth: $360 million
#2: Kenny Chesney
Total Revenue: $39.8 million
Touring: $38.1 million
Publishing: $313,200
Streaming: $239,600
Album Sales: $1.1 million
Net Worth: $135 million
#1: Taylor Swift
Total Revenue: $73.5 million
Touring: $61.7 million
Publishing: $4.1 million
Streaming: $564,000
Album Sales: $7.2 million
Net Worth: $280 million