Rock dinosaurs and barons of hip-hop dominate cash charts

The Irish rock band U2 were the top earning music act last year, according to a survey in Rolling Stone magazine that demonstrates the dinosaurs of rock'n'roll – including one especially fabulous foursome who broke up 30 years ago – continue to rule the cash charts.

The Beatles, no less, took the number three spot, earning $47.9m (£32m) through the sales of albums, boosted in particular by the release of their latest compilation album, 1. If Sir Paul McCartney blew a few bob for his wedding this week, he apparently can well afford to.

But top of the rankings were U2 and their lead singer Bono, who also finds time these days to roam the globe campaigning to end Third World debt, with net earnings of $61.9m. The money came from royalties, album sales and the eight-month Elevation world became the second-highest grossing tour of all time.

New talent is almost absent from the Top 10 of the Rolling Stone survey. The boy band 'N Sync came in at No 8 with $26.5m, and the rising rap star Master P is in the sixth slot with $36m. Otherwise the names are ones your mother will know.

With the possible exception, that is, of the No 2 entry on the list. He is Dr Dre, a baron of the American hip-hop scene. As well as performing himself, Dr Dre, with net earnings of $51.9m, has his own record label, Aftermath, home to singers such as Eminem. Dr Dre also received a reported $35m from Vivendi last year when it boosted its stake in Aftermath.

Rolling Stone conceded that some of the figures were arrived at through a mixture of intense research and a little guesswork. The No 10 slot went to Sting, who earned $24m through writing, recording and touring. Also defying the ageing process are Aerosmith. They ranked ninth with $24.2m.

Carlos Santana, who came back to fashion last year more than two decades after first bursting into the charts, also made the list, as did – surprise – the singing legend/West End actress/mother/film star Madonna. She made $40.8m, thanks in part to her Drowned world tour, which reportedly brought her $1m a night.

TOP 10 PAY CHART

Top music earners, 2001

1. U2 – $61.9m (£42m)
2. Dr Dre – $51.9m
3. The Beatles – $47.9m
4. The Dave Matthews Band – $43.4m
5. Madonna – $40.8m
6. Master P – $36m
7. Carlos Santana – $32.7m
8. 'N Sync – $26.5m
9. Aerosmith – $24.2m
10. Sting – $24m

Source: 'Rolling Stone' magazine