Madonna Finances Her Divorce On The Road

Though I have gone to great pains here to debunk the idea that “making your money on the road” is a viable option for most independent artists, it ain’t so bad if you’re a hegemonic musical force like Madonna. Billboard‘s Top Money Makers list is out, and the trade pub rightly notes the correlation between big-time tours and the top moneymaking acts. Recall that Madonna only had the 50th-best selling album in 2008, and you won’t be so surprised to find out that the artists with the biggest bankrolls are the same ones who have the hugest tours. The top 20 artists, and their 2008 grosses so you can feel even poorer than you already do, after the jump,

1. Madonna: $242,176,466 2. Bon Jovi: $157,177,766 3. Bruce Springsteen: $156,327,964 4. The Police: $109,976,894 5. Celine Dion: $99,171,237 6. Kenny Chesney: $90,823,990 7. Neil Diamond: $82,174,000 8. Rascall Flatts: $63,522,160 9. Jonas Brothers: $62,638,814 10. Coldplay: $62,175,555 11. The Eagles: $61,132,213 12. Lil Wayne: $57,441,334 13. AC/DC: $56,505,296 14. Michael Buble: $50,257,364 15. Miley Cyrus: $48,920,806 16. Taylor Swift: $45,588,730 17. Journey: $44,787,328 18. Billy Joel: $44,581,010 19. Mary J. Blige: $43,472,850 20. Kanye West: $42,552,402

I looked up the 2005 list to see what’s changed over the last four depressing years. Surprisingly, things aren’t that different at the top in terms of numbers (though 50 was doing a lot better back then):

1. U2: $255,022,633.35 2. The Rolling Stones: $152,356,754.40 3. Kenny Chesney: $87,731,463.50 4. Paul McCartney: $84,263,375.10 5. Elton John: $77,150,061.65 6. Celine Dion: $76,137,905.65 7. 50 Cent: $75,351,514.85 8. Green Day: $71,753,415.60 9. Neil Diamond: $70,203,895.50 10. The Eagles: $67,524,283.25 11. Dave Matthews Band: $59,567,479.25 12. Rod Stewart: $58,454,500.85 13. Toby Keith: $53,033,288.35 14. Coldplay: $51,705,752.25 15. Rascal Flatts: $46,819,102.65 16. Mariah Carey: $46,388,646.80 17. Jimmy Buffett: $43,239,800.45 18. Kelly Clarkson: $39,306,713.05 19. Gwen Stefani: $38,963,515.75 20: Bruce Springsteen: $38,951,568.30

In fact, each position on the 2005 list generally made less than those in 2008. For legacy acts and current superstars, touring still remains a proven winner.

And, as Billboard says, “those questioning whether Madonna rates a reported 10-year, $120 million 360 deal with Live Nation might reconsider.” Madonna has extended her tour for the first time ever, well into this year.

Madonna Tops 2009 Music Money Makers List [Billboard]