Found this while surfing the net.....not yet on the Billboard website though.
Billboard's Money Makers list for 2005
By Tamara Conniff and Geoff Mayfield
Jan 23, 2006, 22:16 GMT
Billboard`s Money Makers chart brings together Nielsen Music data and our Boxscore numbers to create a master top 20 chart of acts that generated the most income during 2005. The list includes album and digital sales as well as accumulated box-office receipts. These artists are at the top of their game and range from legacy acts to pop stars to hip-hop phenomenons
1. U2: $255,022,633.35
U2 has become one of the most powerful touring and recording acts in the world. The success of its album 'How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb' continued to build in 2005, and its Vertigo tour busted box-office records across the country, thanks to the top 10 modern rock single 'All Because of You.' The group also pursued a variety of social agendas via a performance at Live 8 and guitarist the Edge`s work with Music Rising, which will provide new instruments for musicians affected by Hurricane Katrina.
2. The Rolling Stones: $152,356,754.40
The Rolling Stones never stop. And they never cease to amaze legions of concertgoers who are willing to pay whatever price to catch a glimpse of them in action. 'A Bigger Bang' was the Rolling Stones` most critically acclaimed album in years, debuting at No. 3 on The Billboard 200. Keith Richards and Mick Jagger wrote together tirelessly and found their old spark on the new album, produced by Don Was. 'A Bigger Bang' also received a Grammy Award nomination for best rock album.
3. Kenny Chesney: $87,731,463.50
Kenny Chesney released two platinum albums in 2005, but garnered more headlines for his quickie marriage and annulment to actress Renee Zellweger. Early in the year, the BNA Records artist released what the label described as his acoustic singer/songwriter album, 'Be As You Are: Songs From an Old Blue Chair.' Despite the fact that no singles from the project were worked to radio, it spent four weeks at No. 1 on Billboard`s Top Country Albums chart. Nine months later, Chesney was back with 'The Road and the Radio,' which spent two weeks at No. 1. He also notched three top 10 singles in 2005, including the No. 1 hit 'Anything but Mine.'
4. Paul McCartney: $84,263,375.10
While posting his usual gargantuan tour grosses at the box office, Paul McCartney also managed to release arguably his best studio album in more than 20 years. Produced by Nigel Godrich (Radiohead, Beck), 'Chaos and Creation in the Backyard' found the ex-Beatle returning to the one-man-band roots of his earliest solo efforts, resulting in a Grammy nomination for album of the year. The project was exemplified by the irresistible single 'Fine Line,' which appeared in TV commercials for Lexus. His unhinged performance of 'Helter Skelter' was also a highlight of Live 8.
5. Elton John: $77,150,061.65
Albums, Broadway, tours, TV, management _ you name it, Elton John can do it. His Las Vegas residency at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace is a huge success. He released 'Elton`s Christmas Party' exclusively through Starbucks this past fall to great acclaim. He sold Twenty-First Artists, his London-based management company (whose roster includes James Blunt), to the Sanctuary Group in April 2005 for $30.1 million. John and Bernie Taupin are writing a sequel to 'Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy,' and he also has a development deal with Touchstone Television for a series about a rock star and his entourage.
6. Celine Dion: $76,137,905.65
Celine Dion invented a brilliant live-performance model where she does not have to tour, thanks to her Las Vegas residency. 'A New Day ...' celebrated its second anniversary at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace _ the show has been sold out since day one. Additionally, she released a two-disc French greatest-hits collection, 'On Ne Change Pas.' Ever a brand marketer, she launched new fragrance, Belong. She also offered a special Mother`s Day performance of 'A New Day . . .' that raised more than $1 million for UNICEF`s Tsunami Recovery Fund.
7. 50 Cent: $75,351,514.85
50 Cent is a triple threat with his albums, movies and tours. 'The Massacre' was the second-highest-selling album last year, fueled by the singles 'Disco Inferno' and 'Candy Shop' plus his pairings with the Game on 'How We Do' and 'Hate It or Love It.' He made his feature film debut in 'Get Rich or Die Tryin` ' and hit the road with the Anger Management 3 tour. Always looking to extend his reach, 50 Cent inked a production deal between his G-Unit label and Lil Jon and announced an upcoming series of hip-hop novels in association with MTV/Pocket Books.
8. Green Day: $71,753,415.60
Green Day`s 'American Idiot' was the top-selling album for Warner Bros. in 2005 and was No. 3 on Billboard`s year-end list of the Top Billboard 200 Albums. The group also picked up six Billboard Music Awards, and its American Idiot tour grossed $36.5 million from 76 shows, according to Billboard Boxscore. The outing landed at No. 10 in the year-end ranking of top tours. And Green Day`s hit song 'Boulevard of Broken Dreams' is nominated for the record of the year Grammy.
9. Neil Diamond: $70,203,895.50
Neil Diamond is a fan magnet for all ages. He sells out his arena tours and keeps ticket prices affordable. In 2005, he released one of his most critically acclaimed albums, '12 Songs,' which Rick Rubin produced. The album completely revitalized him as a recording artist and introduced him to a hipper, younger audience.
10. The Eagles: $67,524,283.25
The Eagles sometimes threaten to stop touring, but their fans know it is not true. In fact, the band redefined the value of the concert experience for elite acts. The Eagles` most recent release, the DVD 'Farewell I: Live From Melbourne,' held the No. 1 position atop the Billboard DVD chart. 'No More Cloudy Days,' a track pulled from the DVD, received adult contemporary airplay, remaining on Billboard`s AC chart for more than half a year. Additionally, the group`s summer TV special won its time slot among the 18-49 demographic.
11. Dave Matthews Band: $59,567,479.25
Dave Matthews Band is one of the most successful acts to break out in the 1990s. The band`s 2005 studio album, 'Stand Up,' shot straight to No. 1 on The Billboard 200 and has since sold 1.3 million copies. The single 'American Baby' got as high as No. 16 on The Billboard Hot 100 and No. 8 on the Adult Top 40 chart. DMB also continues to sell out major arenas.
12. Rod Stewart: $58,454,500.85
Rod Stewart`s comeback has no end. The rock-star-turned-crooner reclaimed the spotlight under the guidance of music impresario Clive Davis. In 2005, Stewart put out the fourth edition of his Great American Songbook series. The album, 'Thanks for the Memory ... The Great American Songbook, Vol. IV,' debuted at No. 2 on The Billboard 200. A boxed set was then released containing all four albums. Next, he plans to record an album of Motown tunes. His tours attract audiences of all ages.
13. Toby Keith: $53,033,288.35
Toby Keith had a huge year in 2005, splitting with DreamWorks Records to launch his own label, Show Dog Nashville, and signing his first film deal with Paramount Pictures. On the charts, Keith released his last DreamWorks album, 'Honkytonk University,' which spent seven weeks at No. 1 on Billboard`s Top Country Albums list. The album spawned the hit singles 'Honkytonk U' and 'Big Blue Note,' as well as 'As Good As I Once Was,' which spent six weeks at No. 1 on Top Country Songs.
14. Coldplay: $51,705,752.25
Although it divided critics, Coldplay`s third album, 'X&Y,' was an immediate smash around the world and spawned three hits: 'Speed of Sound,' 'Fix You' and 'Talk.' The group`s newfound level of commercial success in the United States was borne out by headlining slots at the Coachella and Austin City Limits festivals; its fall North American tour, Twisted Logic, generated the band`s biggest box-office numbers to date.
15. Rascal Flatts: $46,819,102.65
2005 was quite a year for country upstarts Rascal Flatts. The trio entered the upper echelon of live country performers, earning it the breakthrough touring act of 2005 accolade at the Billboard Roadwork `05 Touring Awards - the act grossed $26 million from 83 dates. Rascal Flatts recently received its first Grammy nomination for 'Bless the Broken Road,' which made a showing in the best country vocal performance for duo or group category. The song reached No. 1 on Billboard`s Top Country Songs chart.
16. Mariah Carey: $46,388,646.80
Mariah Carey came back in 2005 with a vengeance. With nearly 5 million copies sold in the United States, 'The Emancipation of Mimi' was the top-selling album of the year. (It sold 8 million worldwide.) 'Don`t Forget About Us' became her 17th song to top The Billboard Hot 100, tying Carey with Elvis Presley for the most No. 1s on the chart. At the 2005 Billboard Music Awards, she took home five trophies, including Hot 100 song of the year for 'We Belong Together.' Her eight Grammy nominations have made her a contender in the album and record of the year categories.
17. Jimmy Buffett: $43,239,800.45
Jimmy Buffett is not just an artist: He is a way of life. On the touring side he can sell out as many venues as he chooses to play. In 2005, he was a top 10 touring artist with grosses that exceeded $41 million. Fans gobbled up his sixth 'official' bootleg, the double-CD set 'Live at Fenway Park,' which also contained a DVD.
18. Kelly Clarkson: $39,306,713.05
Kelly Clarkson has become a banner artist outside of her 'American Idol' roots, as was proven by the success of her Breakaway tour. She was No. 1 on 11 Billboard year-end charts, including Hot 100 Artists-Female and Pop 100 Songs. She also received two Grammy nominations, for best female pop vocal ('Since U Been Gone') and best pop vocal album ('Breakaway').
19. Gwen Stefani: $38,963,515.75
Gwen Stefani proved that she has as much headlining power as a solo artist as she does with her group No Doubt. Her smash single 'Hollaback Girl' became the first song in the digital era to sell more than 1 million downloads. At the 2005 Billboard Music Awards, she won the digital song ('Hollaback Girl') and new artist of the year trophies. Additionally, she received five Grammy nominations, including for album ('Love. Angel. Music. Baby.') and record of the year ('Hollaback Girl').
20: Bruce Springsteen: $38,951,568.30
Without question, Bruce Springsteen is one of the all-time greats. As a performer, he can shift seamlessly from arena-level tours with the E Street Band to an intimate solo theater tour like he did in support of his latest studio album, 'Devils & Dust.' The Columbia Records release debuted at No. 1 on The Billboard 200. In the meantime, Springsteen reportedly re-signed with the label for $50 million.
Reporting by Jonathan Cohen, Gail Mitchell, Melinda Newman, Michael Paoletta, Phyllis Stark and Ray Waddell.
© 2006 VNU eMedia. All Rights Reserved
Posted here:
http://music.monstersandcritics.com/features/artic...005?page=1
