Skip to main content
Become a MusicRadar VIP - it's free
- Join our community
SampleRadar
Access over 90,000 royalty-free samples
The MusicRadar app
Full access and custom feeds
MusicRadar Newsletters
The latest music and gear news inboxed
Earn Member Badges
Climb the MusicRadar charts
Coming soon: VIP-only Giveaways
Win pro-grade music gear and more
Join the conversation
Connect with other musicians and fans
BECOME A MUSICRADAR VIP
For the quickest way to join, enter your email below. We’ll send a confirmation email and sign you up to MusicRadar newsletters with the latest music news, gear reviews, tutorials and exclusive offers.
By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
FIND OUT ABOUT OUR MAGAZINE
Want to subscribe to the magazine? Click the button below to find out more information.
Find out more
Get VIP Access Quick

Become a MusicRadar VIP for quick access. Enter your email below and we'll send confirmation, and sign you up to our newsletter.

By submitting your information, you confirm you are aged 16 or over, have read our Privacy Policy and agree to the Terms & Conditions. Geographical rules apply.

Welcome to Become a MusicRadar VIP !
Hi ,

Your membership journey starts here.

Keep exploring and earning more as a member.

MY ACCOUNT

Earn your first badge
Start reading to unlock your first badge
Keep earning badges
Explore ways to get more involved as a member.
Hot music news

Hot music news

The latest news from the hottest artists.

Explore
Make better music

Make better music

Explore tutorials, tips and guides for creating music.

Explore

Your membership perks

Start exploring exclusive deals, expert advice and more

Explore now

Get the MusicRadar Newsletter

Get the latest music news, gear reviews, deals and tutorials delivered straight to your inbox.

Sign up here

Sign Out
MusicRadar MusicRadar The No.1 website for musicians
UK EditionUK US EditionUS AU EditionAustralia SG EditionSingapore
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Artist news
  • Guitars
  • Controllers
  • Drums
  • Keyboards & Pianos
  • Guitar Amps
  • Music Gear Reviews
  • Synths
  • Software & Apps
  • More
    • Recording
    • DJ Gear
    • Acoustic Guitars
    • Bass Guitars
    • Tech
    • Tutorials
    • Reviews
    • Buying Guides
    • About us
More
  • Rodrigo's Cure
  • California Dreamin'
  • "Apotheosis of mediocrity" - Rundgren vs Swift
  • 95k+ free music samples
  1. Artists
  2. Drummers

The 20 richest drummers in the world

News
By Joe Bosso
Published 27 August 2012

Keep practicing. Those double stroke rolls can really pay off one day!

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

The 20 richest drummers in the world

The 20 richest drummers in the world

Let's face it: drummers are the Rodney Dangerfields of rock. They get no respect. Shoved in the back, many of them faceless to the general public, and hey, let's not forget all those drummer jokes. (Example: What do you call a drummer without a girlfriend? Homeless.)

Except for these guys. According to Celebrity Networth, what follows are the 20 richest drummers in the world. Their calculations are based on public information (from sites such as Forbes and The Sunday Times) including salaries, real estate holdings and divorces. The final totals come from a formula that takes out taxes, managers' fees, agents' fees and lifestyle.

All of which means one thing: The next time your parents, friends or neighbors complain about that unbearable racket you're making, you can show them this list and let them know that the phrase "give the drummer some" can be taken quite literally.

Page 1 of 21
Page 1 of 21
Tre Cool (Green Day)

Tre Cool (Green Day)

Page 2 of 21
Page 2 of 21
Rick Allen (Def Leppard)

Rick Allen (Def Leppard)

Page 3 of 21
Page 3 of 21
Carter Beauford (Dave Matthews Band)

Carter Beauford (Dave Matthews Band)

Page 4 of 21
Page 4 of 21
Jon Fishman (Phish)

Jon Fishman (Phish)

Page 5 of 21
Page 5 of 21
Bill Ward (Black Sabbath)

Bill Ward (Black Sabbath)

Page 6 of 21
Page 6 of 21
Tommy Lee (Motley Crue)

Tommy Lee (Motley Crue)

Page 7 of 21
Page 7 of 21
Nick Mason (Pink Floyd)

Nick Mason (Pink Floyd)

Page 8 of 21
Page 8 of 21
Alex Van Halen

Alex Van Halen

Page 9 of 21
Page 9 of 21
Stewart Copeland (The Police)

Stewart Copeland (The Police)

Page 10 of 21
Page 10 of 21
Travis Barker (Blink-182)

Travis Barker (Blink-182)

Page 11 of 21
Page 11 of 21
Chad Smith (Red Hot Chili Peppers)

Chad Smith (Red Hot Chili Peppers)

Page 12 of 21
Page 12 of 21
Joey Kramer (Aerosmith)

Joey Kramer (Aerosmith)

Page 13 of 21
Page 13 of 21
Roger Taylor (Queen)

Roger Taylor (Queen)

Page 14 of 21
Page 14 of 21
Larry Mullen Jr (U2)

Larry Mullen Jr (U2)

Page 15 of 21
Page 15 of 21
Charlie Watts (The Rolling Stones)

Charlie Watts (The Rolling Stones)

Page 16 of 21
Page 16 of 21
Lars Ulrich (Metallica)

Lars Ulrich (Metallica)

Page 17 of 21
Page 17 of 21
Don Henley (The Eagles)

Don Henley (The Eagles)

Page 18 of 21
Page 18 of 21
Dave Grohl (Nirvana, Foo Fighters)

Dave Grohl (Nirvana, Foo Fighters)

Page 19 of 21
Page 19 of 21
Phil Collins (Solo, Genesis)

Phil Collins (Solo, Genesis)

Page 20 of 21
Page 20 of 21
Ringo Starr (The Beatles)

Ringo Starr (The Beatles)

Page 21 of 21
Page 21 of 21
CATEGORIES
Drums
Joe Bosso
Joe Bosso

Joe is a freelance journalist who has, over the past few decades, interviewed hundreds of guitarists for Guitar World, Guitar Player, MusicRadar and Classic Rock. He is also a former editor of Guitar World, contributing writer for Guitar Aficionado and VP of A&R for Island Records. He’s an enthusiastic guitarist, but he’s nowhere near the likes of the people he interviews. Surprisingly, his skills are more suited to the drums. If you need a drummer for your Beatles tribute band, look him up.

Read more
Rick Allen, Meg White and Taylor Hawkins all sat behind their drum kits
Drummers Travis Barker’s new doc is out today - here's 8 other drummers whose incredible stories deserve to be told on screen
 
 
Drummer holding drumsticks and playing a red drum set
Drum Sticks Best drumsticks 2026: expert recommendations for every budget and playing style
 
 
NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 14:  Drummer Chris Slade of AC/DC performs during the AC/DC Rock Or Bust Tour at Madison Square Garden on September 14, 2016 in New York City.  (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images)
Drummers “I've had a good innings”: Ex AC/DC drummer Chris Slade announces that he’s retiring
 
 
Carl Palmer
Artists At 76, rock legend Carl Palmer reveals his hopes and fears for the future
 
 
Man plays Alesis Nitro Max drum kit with black sticks
Electronic Drums Best beginner electronic drum sets 2026: top-rated e-kits for entry-level drummers, tested by experts
 
 
Drummer Neil Peart from Canadian band Rush performs live on stage at the Aragon Ballroom in Chicago, Illinois during their All The World's a Stage tour on 20th May 1977
Drummers “It matters for me to play better all the time”: New documentary in the pipeline about Rush’s Neil Peart
 
 
Latest in Drummers
Larry Mullen Jr
Drummers “My body just went, ‘You’ve had enough.'”: Larry Mullen Jr on his neck injury and how he felt “humiliated”
 
 
Freddie Mercury and Roger Taylor, November 1978
Drummers What Roger Taylor thought when he first heard Freddie Mercury’s voice: "Like a strangled sheep"
 
 
Carl Palmer
Artists At 76, rock legend Carl Palmer reveals his hopes and fears for the future
 
 
Gillian Gilbert and Stephen Morris at SXSW 2023
Keyboard Players “Thankfully, he is well”: Gillian Gilbert reveals she's seriously ill with cancer, not husband Stephen Morris
 
 
Richard Jupp of Elbow performs at Day 1 of Pinkpop Festival at Megaland on June 12, 2015
Drummers “It meant stepping away from an identity": Richard Jupp on why he quit Elbow for sobriety
 
 
The Who featuring Zak Starkey
Drummers “We did a rehearsal recently, and Zak was the drummer”: Could Starkey rejoin The Who?
 
 
Latest in News
Oli Howe
Artists Instagram reharm sensation Oli Howe on the formula behind his chaotic reworks of classic hits
 
 
An SSL 2+ MKII audio interface on a desk
Recording I sifted through Sweetwater's massive up to 50% off studio gear sale to bring you the best equipment discounts
 
 
Lola Young performs onstage at the 2025 Coachella Valley music and arts festival on April 11, 2025
Singers & Songwriters “Breathing feels like a chore”: Lola Young bemoans the effect of vaping on her health on TikTok
 
 
tapes
Samples SampleRadar: 485 free tape-treated samples
 
 
John Lennon and Paul McCartney face the press
Singers & Songwriters “He could be a complete idiot, over some things”: Paul McCartney thinks that Lennon “expected more” from him in the early 70s
 
 
Cronos of Venom
Artists “I want people to think, ‘That band Venom was crazy!’”: Heavy metal innovator Conrad ‘Cronos’ Lant dies at 63
 
 

MusicRadar is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • About Us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers

© Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. All rights reserved. England and Wales company registration number 2008885.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...