Billboard has compiled a list of 2018's top earning artists, and it should be no surprise to anyone that Metallica is the highest paid hard rock artist. According to The PRP, the list is based mostly off U.S. touring income to align with the other revenue data. Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Def Leppard, and Foo Fighters didn't land too far behind Metallica on list. They are:
17. Metallica: $19.6 million
Sales: $4.8 million
Streaming: $3.4 million
Publishing: $1.4 million
Touring: $9.9 million20. Trans-Siberian Orchestra: $18.5 million:
Sales: $308K
Streaming: $333.3K
Publishing: $171.3K
Touring: $17.1 million22. Def Leppard: $17.6 million
Sales: $577.9K
Streaming: $673.4K
Publishing: $493K
Touring: $15.9 million23. Foo Fighters: $17 million
Sales: $416.7K
Streaming: $769.5K
Publishing: $1.2 million
Touring: $14.7 million
Shockingly, Metallica came in at number one in terms of sales with $4.8 million in 2018. Metallica beat out Queen, who sold $4.6 million, and in third was Eminem with a much lower $2.4 million. Shockingly Guns N' Roses didn't land on this list at all, even with their insanely lucrative reunion tour.
