Rock stars have always had a profound effect on our society. While some have accumulated wealth as both band members and solo performers, others have found success as solo singer-songwriters or as members of well-known rock bands.
Rock stars have always had a profound effect on our society. While some have accumulated wealth as both band members and solo performers, others have found success as solo singer-songwriters or as members of well-known rock bands.
Many of the performers on the list began their careers in the 1960s and are still active today. Find out which of your favorite rock musicians makes the most money in the industry.
NET WORTH: $420 MILLION
The Bon Jovi band's frontman, Jon Bon Jovi with real name John Bongiovi, Jr., has released 14 studio albums, including two solo albums, that have collectively sold 130 million copies worldwide. He received roles in numerous films and TV shows as well as a place in the Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Grammys as a result.
With his first band, Raze, he began playing music at the age of 13, learning the piano and the guitar. He continues to be successful by traveling and promoting new music with the Bon Jovi band. He was the founder and majority owner of the AFL football team, the Philadelphia Soul.
NET WORTH: $450 MILLION
Eric Clapton is a great legend who has had enormous success both in his solo career and with the various bands he has played in (Derek & the Dominos, The Yardbirds, Cream, Blind Faith, etc.). The Beatles, Carlos Santana, Aretha Franklin, B.B. King, and a host of other musicians are among the artists he has worked with.
He was the only person to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame three times and received countless awards. He is ranked as the fourth-best guitarist of all time by Gibson and the second-best guitarist of all time by Rolling Stone. Numerous movies and TV shows have featured his music. All of his fortune has been acquired through music.
NET WORTH: $510 MILLION
From 1977 until 1985, when he began his solo career, Gordon Sumner performed as The Police's main singer, songwriter, and bassist under the name Sting. Like the majority of the best-selling books of all time, his honors and inductions into halls of fame are practically too numerous to count.
By experimenting with various musical styles, including rock, punk, ska, reggae, world, and jazz, he has gained countless fans. At one point, he was the go-to person for Hollywood soundtracks. His experimental nature led him to collaborate with Shaggy (of 'It Wasn't Me!' fame) on a group record.
NET WORTH: $520 MILLION
The co-founder and co-principal songwriter of The Rolling Stones is Keith Richards, who is also included on this list with Mick Jagger. He is ranked as the fourth-best guitarist of all time by Rolling Stone magazine. In addition to all of his accomplishments with the Rolling Stones, he has earned royalties from musicians like Aretha Franklin since the 1960s as a music producer.
He has a modest solo career as well as the X-Pensive Winos, a side project. He has also collaborated on countless other well-known artists' albums. He is one of the select few to increase his net worth without the use of other firms.
NET WORTH: $520 MILLION
As The Rolling Stones' lead singer, Sir Michael Jagger had tremendous success.
He has 32 songs in the top 10 and 13 no. 1 singles across his solo and Stones careers. He has received all the accolades, including a knighthood. He still performs in front of sizable crowds now as he has since the 1960s.
Along with song sales and downloads, Jagger also makes money through tours, licensing, and merchandise royalties. Jagger's very robust net worth is increased by a number of business investments and assets. He created Jagged Internetworks which covers the cricket sport. He's also a supporter of music education in schools.
The Rolling Stones brand is intimately associated with Mick Jagger's business endeavors. The Stones' decision to trademark their signature lips and tongue led to successful retail and branding opportunities for the group.
Jagger has achieved success as an actor, appearing in 8 feature films, and has expanded as a creative force. As a result, he established the film production firm 'Jagged Films.' His debut performance was in the 'Ned Kelly' movie, which debuted on June 15, 1970.
NET WORTH: $540 MILLION
More than 300 million albums have been sold by Sir Elton John thus far. In the USA and the UK, he is the owner of the best-selling single of all time. His financial foundation was formed by all of these albums, tours, accolades, and merchandise sales, but his compositions for The Lion King movie and the most recent Rocketman biopic on his life further propelled him farther.
Sir Elton does a wonderful job with his Elton John AIDS Foundation. He is also a global advocate for human rights and spoke up for them from the beginning.
NET WORTH: $600 MILLION
Jimmy Buffet and his Coral Reefer Band have scored several hits, making him the only person truly associated with the 'island escapist' sound and way of life.
He began his career in Nashville as a country singer before creating his beach bum reputation in Florida. His big break came after the passing of his friend Jim Croce in 1973, when he was chosen to fill the void at the record label. He wrote his massive song Margaritaville around this time. He still tours today, albeit at a less bloody pace, and gets significantly more money from those than from album releases.
He has composed music for both film and television and has appeared in both. He has written three fiction works that have reached the top of the bestseller lists, among other bestsellers. Here’s more! He has connections with NFL teams, has released video games, owns restaurants, breweries, record labels, casinos, and is working on a billion-dollar real estate project.
NET WORTH: $650 MILLION
Over the course of his five-decade career, Bruce Springsteen, popularly referred to as 'The Boss,' has sold over 135 million records globally. He is among the most successful musicians of all time, winning 20 Grammy awards, being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and even being awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
NET WORTH: $700 MILLION
Paul David Hewson, better known by his stage name Bono, is a member of the band U2 and has released 14 studio albums with them, including the number-one singles 'With or Without You' and 'I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For.' Bono has won 22 Grammy Awards and two Golden Globes for his work as the band's lead singer and primary lyricist.
The success of U2 has surpassed that of The Beatles, and his other bandmates are almost on this list. His extracurricular pursuits as a philanthropist, venture capitalist, and businessman in general have propelled him to extraordinary heights.
NET WORTH: $1.2 BILLION
Paul McCartney, a two-time Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, is a self-taught musician renowned for his skill on a variety of instruments, his distinctive vocals, and his songwriting abilities. McCartney is most recognized for his time with the Beatles, one of the greatest musical groups ever. He also has a significant solo career, was in the band Wings, and has worked with other celebrities like Kanye West and Michael Jackson.
McCartney allegedly owns more than 25,000 copyrights. He currently holds the titles of both the most celebrated composer and the most popular songwriter in history, according to the Guinness Book of World Records.
As you can see, reaching this list means achieving huge fame. If you happen to see your favorite rock artist on the list, kindly share your thoughts about it by writing in the comment section below.