If there was any doubt that being in a band is a heck of a great way to get enormously wealthy, the earnings of these eight bands will definitely kill that idea. The bands that made the most money ranged from K-pop to rock to country. There were even a few golden oldies in the group. The earnings of these eight bands were calculated using ticket and merchandise sales as well as record sales between June 2018 and June 2019. Not surprisingly, most of the top earning bands were on huge tours during the year, helping them to make this list. Which of these bands is your favorite? What band out there deserves to make this list next year?
From the Zac Brown Band at #95 to the Eagles at #8, these bands run the gamut from summer tour favorite Dave Matthews Band to septuagenarian rockers the Rolling Stones to 80s favs Guns N' Roses to K-pop darlings BTS. Their genres, tour schedules, and fan bases vary wildly but they all have one thing in common – they are one of eight bands to be the highest-paid of the year.
Top Earners in the Music Industry
The Zac Brown Band clocked in at $38.5 million, ranking #95 on the Celebrity 100 list. Their busy tour schedule, with 50 stops in the last year accounting for about $1 million per stop, led to their impressive payday. Touring is a significant revenue source for many bands, and the Zac Brown Band shows how effective a well-planned tour can be.
Next up is the Dave Matthews Band, which earned $39.5 million. DMB hits the road annually each summer, and last year was no different with 84 shows starting in June 2018 through June 2019. This included the annual summer run which started in May, as well as dates in Mexico and Europe, through February, March, and April. DMB released its ninth studio album "Come Tomorrow" in 2018, marking the seventh consecutive Dave Matthews Band album to debut at #1 on the Billboard 200.
Enduring Legends
The Rolling Stones earned $41 million, showcasing their ability to rock out and cash in even after more than half a century in the industry. The 83rd highest-earning act on the Celebrity 100 finished the sold-out European leg of their No Filter Tour last summer with $115 million grossed in Europe alone. Their dedication to touring keeps them relevant and financially successful.
Guns N' Roses followed closely with earnings of $44 million, coming in as the 71st highest-paid celebrity this year. The band hit 29 stops on its Not In This Lifetime tour, grossing more than $4 million at each stop. This tour saw Axl Rose, Slash, and Duff McKagan reunite and play together for the first time in 25 years, creating a buzz that undoubtedly contributed to their earnings.
Modern Icons
Fleetwood Mac earned $49 million, playing 59 shows during the scoring period and grossing roughly $2 million per stop. This performance level allowed them to land the 59th spot on the Celebrity 100 list. The addition of Crowded House's Neil Finn and Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers' Mike Campbell filling in for Lindsey Buckingham demonstrated their adaptability in the industry.
K-Pop phenomenon BTS achieved $57 million, with their "Love Yourself" album trilogy breaking sales records. They kicked off their Love Yourself World Tour with stops at the Rose Bowl and MetLife Stadium, securing the 43rd spot on the Celebrity 100. The global appeal of K-Pop is evident in their impressive earnings.
Heavy Metal Giants
Metallica garnered $68.5 million, landing at #30 on the Celebrity 100. Their WorldWired global tour grossed more than $250 million during its 2016-2018 stops, demonstrating their lasting power in the heavy metal genre. Their ability to draw massive crowds highlights the appeal of live music.
Classic Rock Royalty
Finally, the Eagles landed at number 8 with $100 million. Despite not having a number one hit single in many decades, the classic rock band continues to draw large crowds. Their An Evening With The Eagles Tour brought in over $3.5 million per stop, marking their success even after the passing of Glenn Frey in 2016.
Key Takeaways
What You Will Learn
- Band earnings are significantly impacted by their touring schedules.
- Diverse music genres contribute to varying levels of financial success.
- Reunions and collaborations can lead to increased fan interest and earnings.
- K-Pop's global appeal is reshaping the music industry's financial landscape.
