Monday, February 25, 2013 9:58:00 AM | by v-bafitz
Highest-paid musicians
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No. 1: Dr. Dre
No. 1: Dr. Dre was the top-earning musician of 2012, according to Forbes' annual ranking. In addition to royalties from old and new albums, Dre took home $100 million in pre-tax earnings when HTC paid $300 million for a 51 percent stake in his headphone line. That brings Dre's total earnings for the year to a whopping $110 million. Above, Dre performs during his headlining set with Snoop Dogg at the 2012 Coachella music festival.
Chris Pizzello/AP
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No. 2: Roger Waters
No. 2: Roger Waters, one of the founders of Pink Floyd, earned $88 million in 2012.
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No. 3: Elton John
No. 3: Elton John earned $80 million in 2012, helped by a long Las Vegas gig.
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No. 4: U2
No. 4: U2 brought in $78 million, mostly on the strength of their record-breaking 360 tour. Above, The Edge and Bono perform in Denver.
John Shearer/WireImage/Getty Images
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No. 5: Take That
No. 5: British band Take That brought in a $69 million take last year, helped by a popular reunion tour. Above, band members Gary Barlow, Jason Orange, Mark Owen and Howard Donald perform during a London concert.
Anthony Harvey/Reuters
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No. 6: Bon Jovi
No. 6: Bon Jovi is sixth with $60 million. Above, Jon Bon Jovi performs with his band, Bon Jovi, which he formed in 1983. The band's newest album, 'What About Now,' will be released March 12.
Steve Marcus/Reuters
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No. 7: Britney Spears
No. 7: Britney Spears is seventh with $58 million, helped by endorsements, a fragrance deal and record sales.
Stephen Lam/Reuters
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No. 8: Paul McCartney
No. 8 (tie): A string of concerts and royalty checks helped former Beatle Paul McCartney rake in $57 million last year.
Mario Anzuoni/Reuters
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No. 8: Taylor Swift
No. 8 (tie): Taylor Swift also earned $57 million last year. Her new album sold 1.2 million units alone in its first week. Above, Swift performs 'We are Never Getting Back Together' during the 2012 MTV Video Music Awards.
Mario Anzuoni/Reuters
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No. 10: Justin Bieber
No. 10 (tie): Justin Bieber is 10th with $55 million. The 18-year-old pop star is the youngest on the list.
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No. 10: Toby Keith
No. 10 (tie): Toby Keith also earned $55 million, thanks to album sales, a tour and his Ford sponsorship.
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No. 12: Rihanna
No. 12: Rihanna brought in $53 million last year, helped by a heavy touring schedule and lucrative endorsement deals. Above, Rihanna performs in London during a tour of the United Kingdom to promote her latest album, 'Unapologetic.'
Dylan Martinez/Reuters
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No. 13: Lady Gaga
No. 13: Lady Gaga earned $52 million in 2012. Music sales, a new tour and endorsements all contributed.
Carlo Allegri/Reuters
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No. 14: Foo Fighters
No. 14: Foo Fighters earned $47 million on music sales and a tour. The band's founder, Dave Grohl, announced in January that the group has started working on its eighth studio album.
Danny Moloshok/Reuters
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No. 15. Sean Combs
No. 15 (tie): Sean Combs earned $45 million, mostly on his share of profits from Diageo's Ciroc vodka. Combs, known by his stage names Puff Daddy, Diddy and P. Diddy, has made millions over the years as a rapper, music producer, actor and entrepreneur.
Yves Herman/Reuters
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No. 15 Katy Perry
No. 15 (tie): Katy Perry also earned $45 million, thanks to music sales and her high-grossing California Dreams Tour. Above, Perry performs at President Barack Obama's inauguration ceremony in January.
Jason Reed/Reuters
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No. 17: Kenny Chesney
No. 17: Kenny Chesney earned $44 million, mostly from his tour sponsored by Hooters and Corona. Above, Chesney performs at halftime during the Dallas Cowboys and Washington Redskins game in November 2012.
Tim Sharp/AP
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No. 18: Beyonce
No. 18: Beyonce earned $40 million, despite being a new mom. Above, Beyonce performs during the Super Bowl halftime show in February.
Jeff Haynes/Reuters
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No. 19: Red Hot Chili Peppers
No. 19: Red Hot Chili Peppers earned $39 million on a big tour and ongoing royalties. Above from left, bassist Michael 'Flea' Balzary, drummer Chad Smith and guitarist Josh Klinghoffer perform in Barcelona. The band was formed in Los Angeles in 1983.
Gustau Nacarino/Reuters
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No. 20: Jay-Z
No. 20: Rapper Jay-Z earned $38 million through music sales, his tour with Kanye West and multiple business deals.
Carlo Allegri/Reuters
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No. 21: Coldplay
No. 21: Coldplay earned $37 million, mostly on the strength of its Mylo Xyloto tour. Above, Coldplay singer Chris Martin performs at the Grammy Awards in February.
Mario Anzuoni/Reuters
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No. 22: Adele
No. 22 (tie): Adele earned $35 million last year. The English singer's 2011 album '21' has sold 23 million copies. Adele received an Academy Award nomination for 'Skyfall,' the theme song for the 2012 James Bond film of the same name.
Dylan Martinez/Reuters
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No. 22: Kanye West
No. 22 (tie): Kanye West also earned $35 million in 2012. His album and tour collaboration with Jay-Z was one of the most anticipated of the year.
Phil McCarten/Reuters
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No. 24: Michael Buble
No. 24: Michael Buble earned $34 million thanks to an extended tour. The Canadian singer has sold more than 30 million albums worldwide.
Luca Bruno/AP
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No. 25: Sade
No. 25: Sade Adu earned $33 million last year with the help of a lucrative tour. The British singer and her band have sold more than 50 million albums worldwide.