Slideshow: Top 2009 music money earners

GetListy — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 16:59:21 +0000

Billboard has released its list of the music industry’s top earners of 2009 — primarily reflecting tour revenues from 2008. Here are the top 20:

1. Madonna: $242,176,466

Top-selling recording artists of all time

Cyndi Hughes — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 14:09:08 +0000

Let’s finally put this one to rest once and for all: Who are the top-selling recording artists of all time? The Recording Industry Association of America, the same group that actually owns the copyright to the Gold, Platinum, Multi-Platinum and Diamond designations for record sales, compiled this definitive list, based on certified units sold.

Is the No. 1 artist any surprise? No. 2 might be, country’s favorite son Garth Brooks (right). But look at where the Stones landed! And why do we find it immensely satisfying to see George Strait finishing way ahead of Madonna? But AC/DC?!?! Who knew?!

Here is the top 20 and the number of certified units sold:

The Beatles: 170 million
Garth Brooks: 128 million
Elvis Presley: 118.5 million
Led Zeppelin: 111.5 million
The Eagles: 100 million
Billy Joel: 79.5 million
Pink Floyd: 74.5 million
Barbra Streisand: 71 million
Elton John: 69.5 million
AC/DC: 69 million
George Strait: 67.5 million
Aerosmith: 66.5 million
The Rolling Stones: 66 million
Bruce Springsteen: 63.5 million
Madonna: 63.5 million
Mariah Carey: 61.5 million
Michael Jackson: 60.5 million
Metallica: 57 million
Van Halen: 56.5 million
Whitney Houston: 54 million

For the rest, see the complete RIAA list.

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Slideshow: Top 2009 music money earners

Top-selling recording artists of all time