Lady GaGa Tops Money Makers List

Bon Jovi, Dave Matthews Band. Justin Bieberrounds at the list of the year’s top five earners, at fifth place with $22m.

Billboard said GaGa’s rise has been nothing short of astounding: “Lady GaGa was inescapable in 2010. The pop singer, only a few years removed from her original hair colour and shows at small downtown New York venues, so thoroughly dominated the last year that it seemed almost a foregone conclusion that she would top the Money Makers list.”

The bulk of her earnings came from her world tour, which grossed $70.4 million and netted the star around $23.8 million, Billboard said. Digital sales of more than 12 million also added to GaGa’s fortune, with sales of The Fame and The Fame Monster still strong. “All of those sales at retail netted her more than $5.7 million in royalties.”

Aside from Pink Floydsinger Roger Waters at No 3, there was only one other British act in the top 10 – Paul McCartneyat No 10 with US earnings of $14m in 2011. Other acts in the top 10 included Taylor Swift($20m), Black Eyed Peas$16m).