Skip to main content
MusicRadar MusicRadar The No.1 website for musicians
UK EditionUK US EditionUS AU EditionAustralia SG EditionSingapore
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Artist news
  • Music Gear Reviews
  • Synths
  • Guitars
  • Controllers
  • Drums
  • Keyboards & Pianos
  • Guitar Amps
  • Software & Apps
  • More
    • Recording
    • DJ Gear
    • Acoustic Guitars
    • Bass Guitars
    • Tech
    • Tutorials
    • Reviews
    • Buying Guides
    • About us
Don't miss these
A portrait of John Fogerty of Creedence Clearwater Revival in April 1970
Artists “I don’t think we would’ve found any success had someone else been the lead singer”: A rock classic that’s now hit over two billion streams
Texan guitar phenom Eric Johnson plays a Fender Stratocaster in a Tropical Turquoise finish during a 2016 performance with the Experience Hendrix Tour.
Artists “It would be way better if drummers weren’t reduced to nothing”: Eric Johnson on the one thing he doesn’t like about modern pop music
Diamond Head
Artists “We were labelled ‘the new Led Zeppelin’. But it was a blessing and a curse”: A great rock band that had it all – and then blew it
US singer Prince performs on October 11, 2009 at the Grand Palais in Paris. Prince has decided to give two extra concerts at the Grand Palais titled "All Day/All Night" after he discovered the exhibition hall during Karl Lagerfeld's Chanel fashion show. AFP PHOTO BERTRAND GUAY (Photo credit should read BERTRAND GUAY/AFP via Getty Images)
Artists Here's why Prince never allowed his music to be used in Guitar Hero
A press shot of Paul Gilbert [left] wearing a tricorn hat and playing a pink Ibanez; Todd Rundgren wears dark shades and performs live in 2021.
Artists “To me, it was like being asked to tour with the Beatles”: Paul Gilbert on why he turned down the gig of a lifetime
Text banner saying He's the fastest drummer in the world
Drummers “I can play up to 20 hits per second”: Meet Jason Barnes – the AI-assisted one armed drummer
Phil Collins
Artists “That was a big mistake. I underestimated just how difficult it would be”: When Phil Collins played drums with a Genesis tribute act
Man wearing black hat playing the Roland TD716 electronic drum set
Electronic Drums Best electronic drum sets in 2026: Top picks for every playing level and budget, tested by drummers – plus video and audio demos
American historic producer of British singer David Bowie, Tony Visconti, poses during a photo session in Paris on November 19, 2019
Singers & Songwriters “Afterwards he sent David an invoice for $10,000”: Tony Visconti on Dave Grohl’s “ludicrious” Bowie session fee
wood
Samples SampleRadar: 213 free wooden percussion samples
A pair of Audio-Technica in-ear monitors on top of a carry case
Studio Monitors Best budget in-ear monitors 2026: My pick of cheap in-ears for every type of musician
Phil Campbell
Artists “I thought Motörhead was just a load of noise – but good noise”: A classic interview with former Motörhead guitarist Phil Campbell
Joey Tempest
Artists “I took inspiration from Iron Maiden. And for the lyric, David Bowie’s Space Oddity”: A rock band’s global No.1 hit
John Fogerty
Artists “I wanted to call it Taylor’s Version”: John Fogerty has 'done a Taylor Swift' and rerecorded his hits
 John Fogerty (C) performs at The O2 Arena on May 29, 2023 in London, England.
Recording “I’m just an adventurer coming back to the homeland”: John Fogerty on the long struggle to own his songs again
More
  • Sly and Survivor
  • In My Life
  • 95k+ free music samples
  • One chord Diamond
  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
Text banner saying He's the fastest drummer in the world
Drummers “I can play up to 20 hits per second”: Meet Jason Barnes – the AI-assisted one armed drummer
 
 
Sly Dunbar at the kit, circa 1984
Drummers “True icon … one of the greatest drummers of all time”: The world mourns the passing of Sly Dunbar
 
 
The Who
Artists “I have to be careful what I say": Pete Townshend on Zak Starkey’s protracted dismissal from The Who
 
 
AUSTIN, TX - DECEMBER 09:  Displayed in public for the first time is John Lennon's piano, used to write numerous Beatles songs and part of Indianapolis Colts CEO and Owner Jim Irsay's "Jim Irsay Collection" during a reception at the Four Seasons Hotel on December 9, 2021 in Austin, Texas.  (Photo by Gary Miller/Getty Images)
Keyboards & Pianos "Lot after lot, we felt like we were making history”: John Lennon’s Broadway piano goes for £2.5 million
 
 
Vanilla Fudge
Artists “We could have been as big as Led Zeppelin”: The heavy rock innovators whose drummer was a star before John Bonham
 
 
Chad Smith stood behind a surprised drum student
Drummers “Ignore the Hall Of Fame drummer sitting next to you”: Chad Smith is replacement drum teacher for the day
 
 
Latest in Drummers
Text banner saying He's the fastest drummer in the world
Drummers “I can play up to 20 hits per second”: Meet Jason Barnes – the AI-assisted one armed drummer
 
 
American historic producer of British singer David Bowie, Tony Visconti, poses during a photo session in Paris on November 19, 2019
Singers & Songwriters “Afterwards he sent David an invoice for $10,000”: Tony Visconti on Dave Grohl’s “ludicrious” Bowie session fee
 
 
Chad Smith stood behind a surprised drum student
Drummers “Ignore the Hall Of Fame drummer sitting next to you”: Chad Smith is replacement drum teacher for the day
 
 
Phil Collins
Artists “That was a big mistake. I underestimated just how difficult it would be”: When Phil Collins played drums with a Genesis tribute act
 
 
Close-up of a gorilla mask
Drummers “Definitely one of the biggest highlights of my career”: The Cadburys ad gorilla remembers his “dream job”
 
 
Dave Grohl and Josh Freese in 2023
Bands “We are going to move on and find another drummer”: Dave Grohl says that Josh Freese’s exit from the Foo Fighters wasn't complex
 
 
Latest in News
Melissa Auf der Maur and Courtney Love in 1998
Bass Guitars “It took me one second to understand that she's a survivor”: Melissa Auf der Maur on why she’s “proud” of Courtney Love
 
 
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 01: Bruno Mars performs onstage during the 68th GRAMMY Awards at Crypto.com Arena on February 01, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.  (Photo by John Shearer/Getty Images for The Recording Academy)
Artists Why Bruno Mars' new single Risk It All could have ended up sounding very different
 
 
James Blake performs during the inaugural 2024 Gazebo Festival at Waterfront Park on May 25, 2024 in Louisville, Kentucky.
Producers & Engineers "I’d say 95 percent of the work I’ve done was unpaid”: James Blake on the hit and miss nature of production work
 
 
Diane Warren and KPop Demon Hunters
Artists Songwriter Diane Warren’s Oscars losing streak goes on as KPop Demon Hunters’ Golden wins
 
 
AUSTIN, TX - DECEMBER 09:  Displayed in public for the first time is John Lennon's piano, used to write numerous Beatles songs and part of Indianapolis Colts CEO and Owner Jim Irsay's "Jim Irsay Collection" during a reception at the Four Seasons Hotel on December 9, 2021 in Austin, Texas.  (Photo by Gary Miller/Getty Images)
Keyboards & Pianos "Lot after lot, we felt like we were making history”: John Lennon’s Broadway piano goes for £2.5 million
 
 
oneshot2
Tech "How real can drums feel inside a plugin?": Klevgrand promises to "redefine what a drum sampler can be" with OneShot 2
 
 

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...