Metallica continue to see the business accolades pile on. After being named one of the highest grossing touring artists of the decade and world's biggest touring act, the band ranked in the top 10 on Forbes' list of the highest earning artists of the year.
Metallica just squeezed into the top 10 at the #10 spot, with $68.5 million in earnings this year, right behind Diddy at #9 with $70 million. Taylor Swift came in at #1 with $185 million, and Kanye West at #2 with $150 million. Here is the top 10:
- Taylor Swift: $185 million
- Kanye West: $150 million
- Ed Sheeran: $110 million
- The Eagles: $100 million
- Elton John: $84 million
- Jay-Z: $81 million (tie)
- Beyonce: $81 million (tie)
- Drake: $75 million
- Diddy: $70 million
- Metallica: $68.5 million
Metallica out-earned big time acts such as Rihanna, Justin Timberlake, Eminem, Ariana Grande and The Rolling Stones.
The only other hard rock act to make the list was Guns N' Roses at #25 with $44 million. View the entire list here.
Forbes explained how they determined their rankings: "[W]e consider income from touring, music and outside business ventures with the help of Pollstar, Nielsen Music and interviews with industry insiders including many of the stars themselves. Our list measures pretax earnings and does not deduct fees for agents, managers or lawyers.”
It remains to be seen if 2020 will be as fruitful for the band as 2019. So far, they have scheduled five major festival performances next summer, saying those are their only North American dates next year. They also have a South American tour scheduled for April and May. Get dates and ticket deals here.
[via MetalSucks]
