Madonna tops Billboard's Moneymakers list

PanARMENIAN.Net - Iconic music superstar Madonna leads Billboard's list of the top forty money makers in music this year. Her claim to the no. 1 spot is fueled by her blockbuster "MDNA" tour. This is her second time to top the moneymakers list, having held the top spot back in 2008, AceShowbz said.

With $1 million separating her from runner-up Bruce Springsteen, the Queen of Pop narrowly edges the former The E Street Band frontman who, like Madonna, also owes his current success to touring. The Boss played a variety of tours this year, most recent of which was the one in support of his chart-topping album "Wrecking Ball".

Other top acts who make it into the top ten include former Pink Floyd band member Roger Waters, hard rock band Van Halen, and country crooner Kenney Chesney, holding the third, fourth and fifth spot respectively. At the bottom half of the ten highest earners are the Dave Matthews Band, country singers Tim McGraw and Jason Aldean, British alternative rock band Coldplay and Canadian pop superstar Justin Bieber, rounding up the top ten.

The rankings are a result of tallied data from Nielsen SoundScan, Nielsen BDS, YouTube and Billboard Boxscore, based on U.S. earnings from touring, recorded-music sales, and publishing royalties. Also included are revenue from an assortment of digital music and video sales from downloads, as well as on-demand and non-interactive streaming.