LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - While U2 singer Bono is campaigning for Third World
debt relief, his rock band topped Rolling Stone magazine’s list of
top-earning music stars last year.

The Irish quartet took home $61.9 million from touring, recording and
publishing (i.e. copyright royalties), ahead of rap mogul Dr. Dre, the
Beatles, the Dave Matthews Band and Madonna. The top 50 earners are
contained in the magazine’s next issue, due on stands Friday.

While admitting that calculating the earnings of famous people involves some
guesswork, the magazine said it compiled the numbers through conversations
with music industry insiders, such as managers, label executives, agents,
lawyers and publicists. The figures are “net” — what’s left after expenses,
fees and label deductions.

Most of U2’s income came from its successful “Elevation” tour of North
America and Europe, with album sales and publishing providing some very rich
icing, the magazine said.

Gangsta rap pioneer Dr. Dre (born Andre Young), who signed hit rapper Eminem
to his Aftermath label, followed at No. 2 with net income of $51.9 million.
The magazine noted that Young received a reported $35 million payment when
Vivendi Universal SA’s Interscope Records boosted its Aftermath stake to 80
percent from 50 percent.

More than 30 years after they broke up, the Beatles came in at No. 3 with
$47.9 million in net income, thanks mostly to sales of their worldwide hits
album “1.” On the other hand, the Dave Matthews Band had to work for its No.
4 slot. It netted $43.4 million, most of it coming from touring.

Madonna, who also toured last year, ranked No. 5 with $40.8 million, driven
by a reported $20 million to $30 million recording advance from a contract
renegotiation with AOL Time Warner Inc.’s Warner Music Group, Rolling Stone
said.

Rounding out the top 10: rap mogul Master P. at No. 6 with $36 million;
veteran guitarist Carlos Santana at No. 7 with $32.7 million; boy-band ‘N
Sync at No. 8 with $26.5 million; rock band Aerosmith at No. 9 with $24.2
million; and pop singer Sting at No. 10 with $24 million.

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