In a bid to further depress struggling musicians stuffed into old touring vans, Forbes has put together this list of the highest-earning musical performers for 2015. 5. The Eagles ($73.5 million) – These old-timers might not soar as high as they used to on the charts these days, but the 57 shows they played as part of their History of the Eagles tour definitely didn’t ground their bank accounts. (Photo: Instagram, @theeaglesfanpage)
4. Taylor Swift ($80 million) – The pop-country sensation is raking in $4 million per city on the tour supporting her 2014 album 1989. With such a mammoth paycheck per night, she might top the list in 2016. (Photo: Instagram, @taylorswift)
3. Garth Brooks ($90 million) – Garth Brooks has returned from semi-retirement to crowds so big that he sometimes has to perform twice at the same venue – on the same night! The country singer probably won’t complain about
boredom on tour while he banks $1 million per show, though. (Photo: Instagram, @garthbrooks)
2. One Direction ($130 million) – The world’s biggest boy band might be 1/5 smaller after the departure of Zayn Malik, but that means the boys’ paychecks has grown by the same amount, right? That’s quite a few coins as they collectively rake in twice what the Rolling Stones do while on tour. (Photo: Instagram, @onedirection)
1. Katy Perry ($135 million) – Every time Katy Perry roars through town, she banks $2 million. That puts her third behind only boxers Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao on the list of the highest-earning celebrities in 2015. She has to sweat a little more for her dollar than those two did this year, though. (Photo: Instagram,
@katyperry)
