According to Rolling Stone magazine, U2 was the top net earning act in 2001 with $61.9 million from touring, CD sales and royalties.
The top 50 earners from touring, recording publishing, merchandising, endorsements and other are:
1. U2 – $61.9m
2. Dr Dre – $51.9m
3. The Beatles – $47.9m
4. The Dave Matthews Band – $43.4m
5. Madonna – $40.8m
6. Master P – $36m
7 Santana – $32.7m
8. 'N Sync – $26.5m
9. Aerosmith – $24.2m
10. Sting – $24m
11. TLC – $22m
12. Whitney Houston- $21.6,
13. Elton John – $21m
14. Andrea Bocelli – $20.9m
15. Eric Clapton – $20.8m
16. Matchbox Twenty – $20.6m
17. Britney Spears – $20m
18. Tim McGraw – $19.6m
19. Eminem – $19.4m
20. Destiny's Child – $18.9m
20. Jimmy Buffett – $18.9m
22. Christina Aguilera – $18.7m
23. Blink-182 – $18.5m
24. Limp Bizkit – $18.4m
25. Backstreet Boys – $18.3m
26. Metallica – $17.5m
26. The Eagles – $17.5m
28. Billy Joel – $17.1m
29. Rod Stewart – $16.8m
30. Creed – $16.8m
31. Neil Diamond – $16.2m
32. Bon Jovi – $15.6m
33. Lenny Kravitz – $14.9m
34. Janet Jackson – $14.3
35. Enya – $14.2m
36. Sade – $14m
37. Brooks and Dunn – $13.9m
38. Korn – $13.8m
39. Kiss – $12.9m
40. Jennifer Lopez – $12.5m
41. AC/DC – $12m
42. James Taylor – $11.5m
43. Mariah Carey – $10.9m
44. Tool – $10.3m
45. The Offspring – $9.3m
45. Jay-Z – $9.3M
47. Shaggy – $9m
48. Ozzy Osbourne – $8.5m
49. Nelly – $8.2m
49. Dido – $8.2m
It should be noted that the following artists did not tour in 2001: Dr. Dre, The Beatles, Master P, Santana, TLC, Whitney Houston, Eminem, Limp Bizkit, Metallica, Lenny Kravitz, Enya, Korn, Jennifer Lopez, Mariah Carey, The Offspring, Jay-Z, Shaggy and Nelly.
