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The 10 Highest-Earning Guitarists 2011

By Matthew Parker
published 17 June 2011

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Matt Bellamy (Muse)
Band earnings over the last 12 months: $35 million
(Image credit: David Atlas/Retna Ltd./Corbis)

Matt Bellamy (Muse)

America’s Forbes magazine released its annual rich list recently. Here we present you with the 10 highest-earning guitarists to appear in the list, along with their band earnings from the last 12 months (to the nearest million dollars).

According to Forbes, the figures are pre-tax and management fees. Although we realise not all of these figures will be recognised as guitarists first and foremost, they are all guitar-players and use the instrument live and in their recordings.

Page 1 of 10
Page 1 of 10
Tim McGraw
Band earnings over the last 12 months: $35 million
(Image credit: Rob Grabowski /Retna Ltd./Corbis)

Tim McGraw

America’s Forbes magazine released its annual rich list recently. Here we present you with the 10 highest-earning guitarists to appear in the list, along with their band earnings from the last 12 months (to the nearest million dollars).

According to Forbes, the figures are pre-tax and management fees. Although we realise not all of these figures will be recognised as guitarists first and foremost, they are all guitar-players and use the instrument live and in their recordings.

Page 2 of 10
Page 2 of 10
Angus Young (AC/DC)
Band earnings over the last 12 months: $35 million
(Image credit: ENNIO LEANZA/epa/Corbis)

Angus Young (AC/DC)

America’s Forbes magazine released its annual rich list recently. Here we present you with the 10 highest-earning guitarists to appear in the list, along with their band earnings from the last 12 months (to the nearest million dollars).

According to Forbes, the figures are pre-tax and management fees. Although we realise not all of these figures will be recognised as guitarists first and foremost, they are all guitar-players and use the instrument live and in their recordings.

Page 3 of 10
Page 3 of 10
Tom Petty
Band earnings over the last 12 months: $38 million
(Image credit: Fabio Nosotti/CORBIS)

Tom Petty

America’s Forbes magazine released its annual rich list recently. Here we present you with the 10 highest-earning guitarists to appear in the list, along with their band earnings from the last 12 months (to the nearest million dollars).

According to Forbes, the figures are pre-tax and management fees. Although we realise not all of these figures will be recognised as guitarists first and foremost, they are all guitar-players and use the instrument live and in their recordings.

Page 4 of 10
Page 4 of 10
Brad Paisley
Band earnings over the last 12 months: $40 million
(Image credit: Tim Mosenfelder/Corbis)

Brad Paisley

America’s Forbes magazine released its annual rich list recently. Here we present you with the 10 highest-earning guitarists to appear in the list, along with their band earnings from the last 12 months (to the nearest million dollars).

According to Forbes, the figures are pre-tax and management fees. Although we realise not all of these figures will be recognised as guitarists first and foremost, they are all guitar-players and use the instrument live and in their recordings.

Page 5 of 10
Page 5 of 10
Toby Keith
Band earnings over the last 12 months: $50 million
(Image credit: Reuters/CORBIS)

Toby Keith

America’s Forbes magazine released its annual rich list recently. Here we present you with the 10 highest-earning guitarists to appear in the list, along with their band earnings from the last 12 months (to the nearest million dollars).

According to Forbes, the figures are pre-tax and management fees. Although we realise not all of these figures will be recognised as guitarists first and foremost, they are all guitar-players and use the instrument live and in their recordings.

Page 6 of 10
Page 6 of 10
Dave Matthews
Band earnings over the last 12 months: $51 million
(Image credit: Scott D. Smith/Retna ./Retna Ltd./Corbis)

Dave Matthews

America’s Forbes magazine released its annual rich list recently. Here we present you with the 10 highest-earning guitarists to appear in the list, along with their band earnings from the last 12 months (to the nearest million dollars).

According to Forbes, the figures are pre-tax and management fees. Although we realise not all of these figures will be recognised as guitarists first and foremost, they are all guitar-players and use the instrument live and in their recordings.

Page 7 of 10
Page 7 of 10
Joe Walsh (The Eagles)
Band earnings over the last 12 months: $60 million
(Image credit: Mario Anzuoni/Reuters/Corbis)

Joe Walsh (The Eagles)

America’s Forbes magazine released its annual rich list recently. Here we present you with the 10 highest-earning guitarists to appear in the list, along with their band earnings from the last 12 months (to the nearest million dollars).

According to Forbes, the figures are pre-tax and management fees. Although we realise not all of these figures will be recognised as guitarists first and foremost, they are all guitar-players and use the instrument live and in their recordings.

Page 8 of 10
Page 8 of 10
Richie Sambora (Bon Jovi)
Band earnings over the last 12 months: $125 million
(Image credit: Scott McDermott/Corbis)

Richie Sambora (Bon Jovi)

America’s Forbes magazine released its annual rich list recently. Here we present you with the 10 highest-earning guitarists to appear in the list, along with their band earnings from the last 12 months (to the nearest million dollars).

According to Forbes, the figures are pre-tax and management fees. Although we realise not all of these figures will be recognised as guitarists first and foremost, they are all guitar-players and use the instrument live and in their recordings.

Page 9 of 10
Page 9 of 10
The Edge (U2)
Band earnings over the last 12 months: $195 million
(Image credit: David Atlas/Retna Ltd./Corbis)

The Edge (U2)

America’s Forbes magazine released its annual rich list recently. Here we present you with the 10 highest-earning guitarists to appear in the list, along with their band earnings from the last 12 months (to the nearest million dollars).

According to Forbes, the figures are pre-tax and management fees. Although we realise not all of these figures will be recognised as guitarists first and foremost, they are all guitar-players and use the instrument live and in their recordings.

Page 10 of 10
Page 10 of 10
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Matthew Parker
Matthew Parker
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Matt is a freelance journalist who has spent the last decade interviewing musicians for the likes of Total Guitar, Guitarist, Guitar World, MusicRadar, NME.com, DJ Mag and Electronic Sound. In 2020, he launched CreativeMoney.co.uk, which aims to share the ideas that make creative lifestyles more sustainable. He plays guitar, but should not be allowed near your delay pedals.

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