Madonna On Top

Hard Candy may have only been the 50th best selling album of 2008, but Madonna more than made up for it touring. Her Sticky & Sweet Tour became the top grossing tour of the year and the highest grossing tour for a solo artist in history. Her tour allowed her to top the 2008 Moneymakers list which determines the most financially successful artists of the year. Madonna has always been one on the cutting edge of the music biz, and this is just one more example of how. CDs just aren't selling but, people are willing to fork over the cash to see you live. Billboard put in their two cents saying, "those questioning whether Madonna rates a reported 10-year, $120 million 360 deal with Live Nation might reconsider."

2008 Moneymakers

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