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Top Earners U2 Brought in $109M in 2009

Bruce Springsteen finishes 2nd to Irish superstars, and it's not even close

By M. Morris,  Newser Staff

Posted Feb 28, 2010 4:20 PM CST
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(Newser) – The news that U2 was the top moneymaker in music in 2009 is no surprise, but what may come as a bit of a shock is the gap between No. 1 and No. 2. The Irish rockers brought in $108.6 million lat year, nearly twice as much as runner-up Bruce Springsteen's $57.5 million. Extending the greatest hits of the '80s theme, the next two acts in the Billboard rankings are Madonna and AC/DC, with Britney Spears somewhat unexpectedly rounding out the top 5.

The rest of the top 10:

  1. Pink
  2. Jonas Brothers
  3. Coldplay
  4. Kenny Chesney
  5. Metallica
To see the complete top 40, click here.

Irish Rock band U2 collect their award for Best Live Act at the 2009 MTV European Music Awards in Berlin, Thursday Nov. 5, 2009.
Irish Rock band U2 collect their award for Best Live Act at the 2009 MTV European Music Awards in Berlin, Thursday Nov. 5, 2009.   (AP Photo/Joel Ryan)
Bruce Springsteen, No. 2 on Billboard's list of 2009's top music moneymakers, performs at Hope for Haiti Now: A Global Benefit for Earthquake Relief, Friday, Jan. 22, 2010, in New York.
Bruce Springsteen, No. 2 on Billboard's list of 2009's top music moneymakers, performs at "Hope for Haiti Now: A Global Benefit for Earthquake Relief," Friday, Jan. 22, 2010, in New York.   (AP Photo/Evan Agostini/Hope for Haiti Now)
Bette Midler, during her final performance of The Showgirl Must Go On at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, Jan. 31, 2010, is No. 40 on Billboard magazine's list of top 40 music moneymakers for 2009.
Bette Midler, during her final performance of "The Showgirl Must Go On" at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, Jan. 31, 2010, is No. 40 on Billboard magazine's list of top 40 music moneymakers for 2009.   (AP Photo/Isaac Brekken)
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U2 guitarist and keyboard player The Edge chats with TV Guide Network's Carrie Ann Inaba and Chris Harrison on the Golden Globe Awards red carpet.   (TV Guide Broadband)

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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 7 comments
serious
Mar 1, 2010 7:44 PM CST
U2 is in a great financial position for donations to the causes that bring them celebrity. How much do they actually donate to anybody?
ramstar
Feb 28, 2010 11:37 PM CST
I work concert security. I do what is called the load in/production area- start early and stay late-over 12 hours and more like 15-17 hours. These cheap bastards NEVER feed the security crew that works all day-it's about 8-9 of us. Other bands feed us-it is sort of the norm so be thinking I am whining about not getting something I shouldn't be expecting. It is not so much the meal but then again, yeah, it is. After reading this I can't help but think-You guys can feed dozens and dozens of your crew at each show but you can't spare 9 guys a dinner? Hey Bono-Screw Africa! Treat hard-working Americans like me the right way! By the way, Springsteen treats us guys the best-I give him and his crew and staff 110%
BackAgain
Feb 28, 2010 11:21 PM CST
and then donated most of it?

 
entertainment • music • Britney Spears • music industry • Bruce Springsteen • Madonna • Metallica • Kenny Chesney • Coldplay • Jonas Brothers • AC/DC • Pink • U2 (rock band)

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