Paul McCartney is still the world’s richest singer, with around $800m in the bank, according to pop culture website Celebrity Net Worth.
Their list of 58 financial bigshots includes Mick Jagger, Phil Collins and Dave Grohl in their top ten.
But the former Beatle – recently subject of an online joke poking fun at his frequent anthemic performances of Hey Jude – is $200m better off than second-place U2 singer Bono.
CNW, who last month released a drummer rich list topped by Macca’s colleague Ringo Starr, say: “There’s no better job on the planet than being frontman or woman for a major rock band. Not only to lead singers get most of the glory, attention, accolades and groupies – they also make a ton of money.
“It definitely helps if you also happen to a prolific songwriter.
“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.”
The figures are compiled from publicly-available information from a range of income and outgoing streams, and includes adjustment for taxes, management fees and lifestyle costs.
CNW’s singer rich list
1. Paul McCartney: $800m
2. Bono: $600m
3. Jimmy Buffett: $400m
4. Elton John: $320m
5. Mick Jagger: $305m
6. Sting: $290m
7. Phil Collins: $250m
8. Dave Matthews: $250m
9. Prince: $250m
10. Dave Grohl: $225m
11. Rod Stewart: $220m
12. David Bowie: $215m
13. Bruce Springsteen: $200m
14. James Hetfield: $175m
15. Axl Rose: $150m
16. Roger Waters: $145m
17. David Gilmour: $130m
18. Steven Tyler: $130m
19. Jon Bon Jovi: $125m
20. Anthony Kiedis: $120m
21. Sammy Hagar: $120m
22. Robert Plant: $120m
23. Bruce Dickinson: $115m
24. Eric Clapton: $115m
25. Brian Johnson: $90m
26. Ozzy Osbourne: $90m
27. Gwen Stefani: $80m
28. Eddie Vedder: $80m
29. Bob Dylan: $80m
30. Brian Wilson: $75m
31. Michael Stipe: $75m
32. Trey Anastasio: $75m
33. Joe Elliott: $70m
34. Peter Gabriel: $70m
35. John Fogerty: $68m
36. Stevie Nicks: $65m
37. Roger Daltrey: $65m
38. Chris Cornell: $60m
39. Mark Hoppus: $60m
40. Tom DeLonge: $60m
41. Chris Martin: $60m
42. Billie Joe Armstrong: $55m
43. Liam Gallagher: $50m
44. Zack de la Rocha: $50m
45. Vince Neil: $50m
46. Steve Perry: $45m
47. Jon Anderson: $45m
48. Maynard James Keenan: $45m
49. Jonathan Davis: $45m
50. David Lee Roth: $40m
51. David Byrne: $40m
52. Thom Yorke: $35m
53. Jack White: $30m
54. Geddy Lee: $28m
55. Rob Halford: $25m
56. Geoff Tate: $17m
57: Gregg Allman: $15m
58: Scott Weiland: $10m
source: classicrockmagazine.com
