30 Richest Drummers in the World

[Smokey]

I didn't know playing drums for a band could be so enriching. For example Steven Adler played only on one and a half Guns N' Roses albums, but he's still worth $15 million. Or Joey Kramer of Aerosmith worth $100 million.

1. Ringo Starr (The Beatles, $300 million)
2. Phil Collins (Solo/Genesis, $250 million)
3. Dave Grohl (Nirvana/Foo Fighters, $225 million)
4. Don Henley (The Eagles, $200 million)
5. Lars Ulrich (Metallica, $175 million)
6. Charlie Watts (The Rolling Stones, $160 million)
7. Larry Mullen Jr. (U2, $150 million)
8. Roger Taylor (Queen, $105 million)
9. Joey Kramer (Aerosmith, $100 million)
10. Chad Smith (Red Hot Chili Peppers, $90 million)

11. Travis Barker (blink-182, $85 million)
12. Stewart Copeland (The Police, $80 million)
13. Alex Van Halen (Van Halen, $75 million)
14. Nick Mason (Pink Floyd, $75 million)
15. Tommy Lee (Motley Crue, $70 million)
16. Bill Ward (Black Sabbath, $65 million)
17. Jon Fishman (Phish, $60 million)
18. Carter Beauford (Dave Matthews Band, $55 million)
19. Rick Allen (Def Leppard, $50 million)
20. Tre Cool (Green Day, $45 million)

21. Danny Carey (Tool, $40 million)
22. Tico Torres (Bon Jovi, $40 million)
23. Max Weinberg (Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band/"Conan O'Brien," $35 million)
24. Mickey Hart (The Grateful Dead, $30 million)
25. Bill Kreutzmann (The Grateful Dead, $25 million)
26. Neil Peart (Rush, $22 million)
27. Taylor Hawkins (Foo Fighters, $20 million)
28. ?uestlove (The Roots, $16 million)
29. Steven Adler (Guns N' Roses, $15 million)
30. Mick Fleetwood (Fleetwood Mac, $8.5 million)

The 30 Richest Drummers in the World - MSN Music News (http://music.msn.com/music/article.aspx?news=754433#)

[winston]

The (Drummer's) are the balance wheel in every band, they're the hardest working member of every Band...."if they misses a (beat) its all over baby:23: (that's a huge responsibility)

they don't get paid enough!! :yesnod:

[Smokey]

The (Drummer's) are the balance wheel in every band, they're the hardest working member of every Band...."if they misses a (beat) its all over baby:23: (that's a huge responsibility)




I thought keeping the "beat" was bass player job :)

Agree with you that drummer is hardest working member of music bands. They use their hand as well as their feet for bass drum and cymbals.

[MasterCylinder]

I've seen and commented on this list in another forum.

I think this is full of BS.

First observation :
Charlie Watts was wealthy long before Lars or Grohl could walk.

Second observation :
Don Henley is a great songwriter and a very good singer............his drumming skills are "fair".

Third observation :
Peart behing 25 others ?..............highly doubtful.

Other observations :
Never mind -- I'll shut up now.

[Hyfi]

Most on that list are wealthy more because of band popularity and not skills.

There is not one jazz or fusion drummer on the list which makes no sense. Wekl, Chambers and the likes have made plenty of cash over the years I'm sure.

[Finch Platte]

Man, I musta sucked on drums, cuz I ain't got sh!t.

[Smokey]

Most on that list are wealthy more because of band popularity and not skills.

I agree. But there are couple on the list that are pretty good drummers also, like Phil Collins, Charlie Watts (Rolling Stones) and Neil Peart (Rush).


Man, I musta sucked on drums, cuz I ain't got sh!t.

I'm guessing that goes for rest of the band also :D

[thekid]

Clearly most of Ringo's wealth came from his acting stint as "Mr.Conductor" on "Shining Time Station". Everyone knows that was a cash cow for PBS. George Carlin who replaced Ringo in the role was also always on the list of 30 Wealthiest Comedians.......... :D

[JoeE SP9]

I thought keeping the "beat" was bass player job :)

Agree with you that drummer is hardest working member of music bands. They use their hand as well as their feet for bass drum and cymbals.


Time keeping is the bass players responsibility. Drummers keep the beat but they march to the time the bass player keeps.

It was that way when I was making a living as a bass player.

I agree with Hyfi about popularity over skills. Most of those guys don't really play that well in comparison to many jazz drummers.