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
