The musicians, who have created a niche for themselves with their expertise in instruments are also known to earn a staggering wealth. In this article, we have listed the richest musicians’ net worth and what contributed to their success. It also lists the musician’s other information like their birthdate and what instrument they expertise in.
We have come across an array of musicians, playing different kinds of instruments; the Guitar, Saxophone, Harmonica, and Keyboard among others. However, some of them, who are known as the greatest musicians of all time, have attracted huge fans across the globe, eventually earning a staggering amount of money.
In this article, we present you with an aggregated list of the richest musicians in the world, as of 2024.
Who Are Musicians?
Musicians are the individuals who conduct, compose, or perform music. The United States Employment Service term defines “musician” as individuals who choose music as their primary career. Generally, the musicians include songwriters, who both write the lyrics and compose music for a song, the conductors, who direct a music performance, and the performers, who perform for a large or small scale of audience.
Listed! The 10 Richest Musicians of All Time, As of 2024
10. David Mathews
- Net Worth: $300 Million
- Birthdate: January 9, 1967 (age 57 years; as of 2024)
- Instrument: Guitar
- Birthplace: Johannesburg, South Africa
David John Matthews is an American musician. He gained prominence after the foundation of a self-titled band, Dave Matthews Band, wherein he worked as a lead vocalist, songwriter, and guitarist. Besides his musical stint, David Matthews is an actor and has played several roles in some of the prominent films. He has won two Grammy awards, one with the Dave Matthews band in 1997 and one in 2004 for Best Male Rock Performance.
9. Ringo Starr
- Net Worth: $350 Million
- Birthdate: July 7, 1940 (age 84 years; as of 2024)
- Instrument: Drum
- Birthplace: Liverpool, England
Known by stage name Ringo Starr, Sir Richard Starkey is an English musician, songwriter, and actor. He achieved international fame as a part of the English Band Group, The Beatles, wherein he worked as a drummer. Besides the drummer, Ringo worked as an occasional singer for the rock band and has contributed a song each in the acclaimed albums, Yellow Submarine and A Little Help From My Friends. He has lent his voice and wrote The Beatles’ song, Don’t Pass Me By and Octopus’ Garden.
Also Read – Top 10 Guitarists Who Have Changed The Landscape Of Music Industry
8. Lars Ulrich
- Net Worth: $350 Million
- Birthdate: Dec 26, 1963 (age 61 years; as of 2024)
- Instrument: Drums
- Birthplace: Gentofte, Denmark
Lars Ulrich is a Danish musician who is a drummer. He came into prominence after co-founding an American heavy metal band, Metallica. Similar to the band’s co-founder, James Hetfield, Ulrich has song credits in almost all the music albums released by Metallica.
Initially, Lars Ulrich, the son of tennis players Torben and Einer Ulrich, ventured into sports and moved to Los Angeles to train professionally when he was 16. However, in Los Angeles, he developed an avid interest in drums, which eventually influenced him to pursue a full-time music career.
7. The Edge
- Net Worth: $400 Million
- Birthdate: August 8, 1961 (age 63 years; as of 2024)
- Instrument: Guitar, Keyboard
- Birthplace: Barking, Essex, England
Known professionally as “The Edge” or “Edge,” David Howell Evans is a British-Irish musician, singer, and songwriter. He came into the limelight after joining the rock band U2 as its lead guitarist, keyboardist, and backing vocalist. Raised by his parents in Ireland, The Edge learned to play the piano and guitar when he was still in his primary school years.
While pursuing his secondary education at Mount Temple Comprehensive School, Dublin, he met artists Bono, Larry Mullen Jr., and Adam Clayton. Mullen Jr. Two years later, in 1976, the group formed the much-known band, U2.
6. Gene Simmons
- Net Worth: $400 Million
- Birthdate: August 25, 1949 (Age 74 years; as of 2024)
- Instrument: Bass Guitar
- Birthdate: Haifa, Israel
Known by his stage name “The Devil” Gene Simmons is an Israeli American musician. He gained prominence after co-founding the hard rock band Kiss; the other founding members of the band were Paul Stanley, Ace Frehley, and Peter Criss.
Besides being an acclaimed musician, Gene Simmons is an entrepreneur, owning several business ventures and a television show. He also has 182 trademarks that have phrases like “Zipper,” “Sextacy,” and “Topless Car Wash.
Additionally, Simmons is also known for his bibliography. His works include the likes of books like On Power: My Journey Through the Corridors of Power and How You Can Get More Power.
Also Read – Top 12 Richest Singers In The World In 2024
5. Sting
- Net Worth: $400 Million
- Birthdate: October 2, 1951 (Age 72 years; as of 2024)
- Instrument: Bass Guitar
- Birthplace: Wallsend, England
Professionally known as Sting, Gordon Matthew Thomas Sumner is an English actor, musician, and social activist. In 1985, the acclaimed musician launched his solo career and has contributed to several music forms including rock, jazz, reggae, classical, new-age, and worldbeat.
As a solo contributor of the Police, as of 2024, Sting has bagged 17 Grammy Awards and has become one of the best-selling artists across the world. In 2006, he was ranked 62 of the best living songwriters by the Paste, an American monthly music and entertainment magazine.
4. Keith Richards
- Net Worth: $500 Million
- Birthdate: December 8, 1943 (Age 80 years; as of 2024)
- Instrument: Guitar
- Birth Place: England
Known as one of the most accomplished musicians of all time, Keith Richards is an English guitarist and singer. He is widely recognized as the co-founder and lead guitarist of the iconic rock band, the Rolling Stones. This talented musician has been an integral part of the band for over five decades. Despite facing challenges within the group, notably a public feud with fellow band member Mick Jagger, he ultimately reconciled and delivered outstanding collaborative performances with him on stage.
In addition to his musical contributions, Richard was renowned for his adventurous spirit. One notable instance of this was when he paid tribute to his father’s memory by reportedly snorting his ashes.
3. Elton John
- Net Worth: $500 Million
- Birthdate: March 25, 1947 (Age 77 years; as of 2024)
- Birthplace: Pinner, Middlesex, England
- Instrument: Piano
Sir Elton Hercules John is a British singer, songwriter, and pianist. He is known for his successful songwriting partnership with lyricist Bernie Taupin.
Raised by his parents in Pinner, John learned the nuances of playing the piano at a young age. In 1969, Elton John gained success after forming a self-titled band that released some of the chart-topping songs like Your Song and Hanke Chateau. A 1974 single album, attributed to Diana, Princess of Wales, Candle In The Wind 1997, sold more than 33 million copies and ranks among the best-selling chart singles of all time.
Also Read – Top 12 Cutest and Talented Female Singers in the World -2024 Edition
2. Herb Alpert
- Net Worth: $850 Million
- Birthdate: March 31, 1935 (Age 89 years; as of 2024)
- Birthplace: Los Angeles, California, United States
- Instrument: Trumpet, Piano
Herb Alpert is an American trumpeter who is known for being the founding member of the band, Herb Alpert & Tijuana Brass; the band was founded in 1960. An acclaimed musician, Herb Alpert has earned 15 Gold albums and 14 platinum albums. Not only this but this richest musician has been bestowed with several recognised awards like 8 Grammy Awards and a Tony Award.
1. Paul McCartney
- Net Worth: $1.2 Billion
- Birthdate: June 18, 1942 (Age 82 years; as of 2024)
- Birthplace: Liverpool, England
- Instruments: Bass Guitar, Piano, Drums
Sir James Paul McCartney is an English singer, songwriter, and musician. A successful music composer and singer of all time, Paul’s musical influence came from his father who was a Jazz player and a rock and roll performer. He later came into prominence with his association with one of the popular bands, the Beatles. In 1970, after the Beatles disbanded, he, along with his first wife, formed a new band called Wings. Under his association, Wings became a successful band with some of the popular album songs like “My Love”, “Band on the Run”, “Listen to What the Man Said”, “Silly Love Songs”, and “Mull of Kintyre”.
Final Words
In essence, there is a list of musicians who have paved the way for proving themselves as one of the greatest musical artists of all time. This article includes a column of the wealthiest musicians and their net worth. However, it is worth noting that while these musicians have earned immense wealth, other unnoticed musicians might have failed to fetch wealth but have carved a niche for themselves.
