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?
Kevin Winter/Getty Images
***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 – $1.2 Billion (The Beatles)
- #2: Madonna Net Worth – $800 million
- #3: Bono Net Worth – $600 Million (U2)
- #4: Elton John Net Worth – $450 Million (Solo)
- #5: Beyonce Net Worth – $450 Million (Destiny's Child, Solo)
- #6: Jimmy Buffett Net Worth – $400 Million
- #7: Mick Jagger Net Worth – $360 Million (The Rolling Stones)
- #8: Gene Simmons Net Worth – $300 Million (KISS)
- #9: Sting Net Worth – $300 Million (The Police, Solo)
- #10: Prince Net Worth – $300 Million (Solo)
- #11: Jon Bon Jovi Net Worth – $300 Million (Bon Jovi)
- #12: Bruce Springsteen Net Worth – $300 Million (The E Street Band)
- #13: Roger Waters Net Worth – $270 Million (Pink Floyd)
- #14: Dave Grohl Net Worth – $260 Million (Foo Fighters, Nirvana on drums)
- #15: Dave Matthews Net Worth – $250 Million (Dave Matthews Band)
- #16: Phil Collins Net Worth – $250 Million (Genesis, Solo)
- #17: Eric Clapton Net Worth – $250 Million (Cream, Solo)
- #18: Diana Ross Net Worth – $250 Million (The Supremes, Solo)
- #19: Rod Stewart Net Worth – $235 Million
- #20: David Bowie Net Worth – $230 Million
- #21: Ozzy Osbourne Net Worth – $220 Million (Black Sabbath, Solo)
- #22: Don Henley Net Worth – $200 Million (The Eagles, Solo)
- #23: Lionel Richie Net Worth – $200 Million (Commodores, Solo)
- #24: Bob Dylan Net Worth – $180 Million
- #25: Billy Joel Net Worth – $180 Million
- #26: James Hetfield Net Worth – $175 Million (Metallica)
- #27: George Michael Net Worth – $175 Million (Wham!, Solo)
- #28: Robert Plant Net Worth – $170 Million (Led Zeppelin)
- #29: Axl Rose Net Worth – $150 Million (Guns N' Roses)
- #30: Courtney Love Net Worth – $150 Million (Hole)
- #31: David Gilmour Net Worth – $140 Million (Pink Floyd)
- #32: Steven Tyler Net Worth – $130 Million (Aerosmith)
- #33: Paul Stanley Net Worth – $125 Million (KISS)
- #34: Anthony Kiedis Net Worth – $120 Million (Red Hot Chili Peppers)
- #35: Sammy Hagar Net Worth – $120 Million (Van Halen)
- #36: Bruce Dickinson Net Worth – $115 Million (Iron Maiden)
- #37: Gwen Stefani Net Worth – $100 Million (No Doubt, Solo)
- #38: Mark Knopfler Net Worth – $95 Million (Dire Straights)
- #39: Brian Johnson Net Worth – $90 Million (AC/DC)
- #40: Chris Martin Net Worth – $90 Million (Coldplay)
- #41: Eddie Vedder Net Worth – $90 Million (Pearl Jam)
- #42: Kid Rock Net Worth – $80 Million
- #43: Brian Wilson Net Worth – $75 Million (The Beach Boys)
- #44: Michael Stipe Net Worth – $75 Million (R.E.M.)
- #45: Trey Anastasio Net Worth – $75 Million (Phish)
- #46: Tom Petty Net Worth – $75 Million (Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers)
- #47: Stevie Nicks Net Worth – $75 Million (Fleetwood Mac, Solo)
- #48: Joe Elliott Net Worth – $70 Million (Def Leppard)
- #49: Peter Gabriel Net Worth – $70 Million (Genesis, Solo)
- #50: Glenn Frey Net Worth – $70 Million (The Eagles, Solo)
- #51: Trent Reznor Net Worth – $70 Million (Nine Inch Nails)
- #52: John Fogerty Net Worth – $68 Million (Creedence Clearwater Revival)
- #53: Roger Daltrey Net Worth – $65 Million (The Who)
- #54: Neil Young Net Worth – $65 Million
- #55: Joe Walsh Net Worth – $65 Million (The Eagles, Solo)
- #56: Chris Cornell Net Worth – $60 Million (Soundgarden, Audioslave)
- #57: Mark Hoppus Net Worth – $60 Million (Blink 182)
- #58: Tom DeLonge Net Worth – $60 Million (Blink 182)
- #59: Liam Gallagher Net Worth – $60 Million (Oasis)
- #60: Chad Kroeger Net Worth – $60 Million (Nickelback)
- #61: Simon Le Bon Net Worth – $60 Million (Duran Duran)
- #62: Billie Joe Armstrong Net Worth – $55 Million (Green Day)
- #63: Vince Neil Net Worth – $50 Million (Motley Crue)
- #64: Billy Corgan Net Worth – $50 Million (Smashing Pumpkins)
- #65: Perry Farrell Net Worth – $50 Million (Jane's Addiction)
- #66: Steve Perry Net Worth – $45 Million (Journey)
- #67: Maynard James Keenan Net Worth – $45 Million (Tool)
- #68: Jonathan Davis Net Worth – $45 Million (Korn)
- #69: David Gahan Net Worth – $45 Million (Depeche Mode)
- #70: David Lee Roth Net Worth – $40 Million (Van Halen)
- #71: David Byrne Net Worth – $40 Million (Talking Heads)
- #72: Jared Leto Net Worth – $40 Million (30 Seconds to Mars)
- #73: Damon Albarn Net Worth – $40 Million (Blur, Gorillaz)
- #74: Adam Duritz Net Worth – $40 Million (Counting Crows)
- #75: Thom Yorke Net Worth – $35 Million (Radiohead)
- #76: Pat Benatar Net Worth – $32 Million
- #77: Jack White Net Worth – $30 Million (The White Stripes)
- #78: Peter Frampton Net Worth – $30 Million (Humble Pie, Solo)
- #79: Geddy Lee Net Worth – $28 Million (Rush)
- #80: Marilyn Manson Net Worth -$25 Million
- #81: Zack de la Rocha Net Worth – $25 Million (Rage Against the Machine)
- #82: Rob Halford Net Worth – $25 Million (Judas Priest)
- #83: Chester Bennington Net Worth – $25 Million (Linkin Park)
- #84: Sully Erna Net Worth – $25 Million(Godsmack)
- #85: Dave Mustaine Net Worth – $20 Million (Metallica, Megadeth)
- #86: Ian Anderson Net Worth – $20 Million (Jethro Tull)
- #87: Fred Durst Net Worth – $20 Million (Limp Bizkit)
- #88: Rob Thomas Net Worth – $17 Million (Matchbox Twenty)
- #89: Gregg Allman Net Worth – $15 Million (Allman Brothers)
- #90: Bret Michaels Net Worth – $15 Million (Poison)
- #91: Tom Araya Net Worth – $14 Million (Slayer)
- #92: Jacoby Shaddix Net Worth – $12 Million (Papa Roach)
- #93: Geoff Tate Net Worth: $10 Million (Queensrÿche)
- #94: Scott Weiland Net Worth – $10 Million (Stone Temple Pilots)
- #95: David Draiman Net Worth – $10 Million (Disturbed)
- #96: Phil Anselmo Net Worth – $8 Million (Pantera)
- #97: Patrick Monahan Net Worth – $8 Million (Train)
- #97: Jon Anderson Net Worth – $5 Million (Yes)
