As evidenced by Drake and Meek Mill’s feud, songwriters and singers aren’t always synonymous. That isn’t to say that famous songwriters can’t also be singers. The names you’ll see on this list, from Joni Mitchell’s iconic Reprise Records hit “Woodstock” to songwriter Carole King, who has had hundreds of songs reach the Billboard Hot 100, are all pop culture favorites who have made themselves famous for their art, both pen to paper and vocally. Needless to say, all those royalties bring in a tidy sum for them.
Here Are The Richest Songwriters Of All Time
Neil Diamond – $175 million
Greatest Hits: Song Sung Blue, Cracklin’ Rosie
Neil Diamond has sold over a hundred albums worldwide and has 38 singles that have charted in the top ten of the Billboard Hot 100. He’s one of the best-selling artists in history. In 2011, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and in 1984, he was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Diamond is also known for its witty personality. Will Ferrell parodied him on Saturday Night Live, and he enjoyed the spoof so much that he joined Ferrell in the comedian’s final broadcast in May 2002.
Neil Diamond
Johnny Cash – $60 million
Greatest Hits: I Walk the Line, Folsom Prison Blues
Johnny Cash is one of the most popular singers, with over 90 million albums sold worldwide. In addition to the Country Music Hall of Fame, he was also inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Gospel Music Hall of Fame. His music has a hard edge to it, and he is well-known for it. “Hello, I’m Johnny Cash,” was his opening line. He would give a simple introduction before each concert, avoiding the showboating that is common in the rock genre (but less so in country music). Cash’s legacy was honored in the film Walk the Line, released by 20th Century Fox.
Johnny Cash
Joni Mitchell – $50 million
Greatest Hits: Woodstock, Big Yellow Taxi
The Blue album by Joni Mitchell is one of the best. She is a poet, a guitarist, and a pianist. She began singing in the streets and small bars, fusing folk, pop, jazz, and rock elements into her music. She was a regular advocate and demonstrator in the counterculture of the Baby Boom generation. Her songs “Big Yellow Taxi,” “Woodstock,” and “Both Sides,” all of which are now available on Reprise Records, were among her biggest hits. Her adaptability has also been noted. She went through several transformations in terms of appearance and voice, eventually becoming a pop and electronic influence.
Joni Mitchell
Jerry Garcia – $40 million
Greatest Hits: Truckin’, Sugaree
Jerry Garcia, a San Francisco native, spent his entire thirty-year career with the popular band. He was also a member of several other bands and released several solo albums. On Rolling Stone’s “100 Greatest Guitarists” list, he was ranked 13th. He was the main songwriter for the Grateful Dead and is best known for his psychedelic rock style. “Truckin’,” which first appeared on Dead’s album American Beauty, was one of Warner Records’ biggest hits. He was known for his improvisation and guitar solos, which suited him well because it relieved stress, he said in an interview.
Jerry Garcia
Paul Simon – $75 million
Greatest Hits: Bridge Over Troubled Water
Paul Simon wrote nearly all songs, including “Mrs. Robinson,” “Sound of Silence,” and perhaps their most popular hit, “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” Columbia Records owned. After the duo split up in 1970, Simon released Graceland, a book inspired by his time in South Africa. Graceland is his most successful solo work to date, having sold 14 million copies since its release. He had a successful Broadway career as a composer of musicals. With poet Derek Walcott, he co-wrote The Capeman. He had worked as a screenwriter.
Paul Simon
James Taylor – $60 million
Greatest Hits: Paint It Black, Night Owl
James Taylor, a singer-songwriter, won five Grammy Awards and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2000. With over 100 million albums sold worldwide, he is one of the best-selling artists of all time. He had his breakthrough with “Fire and Rain” album, followed by Carole King’s cover of You’ve Got a Friend.” He also covered several popular songs including How Sweet It Is,” “Handy Man,” and “Sweet Baby James.” With the release of Before This World in 2015, he had his first number-one album in the United States.
James Taylor
Carole King – $70 million
Greatest Hits: It’s Too Late, Nightingale, Jazzman
Carole King was one of the most popular and lucrative female songwriters from 1950 to 2000. She has written or co-written 118 Billboard Hot 100 hits. And that’s just in the United States. She wrote 61 hits that charted in the United Kingdom, making her the most popular female songwriter. Writer and Tapestry, the latter of which was her breakthrough, were among her first albums. In America, Tapestry stayed on the charts for nearly four months and was still on the charts six years later. In 2012, she was awarded a Hollywood star.
Carole King
Stevie Wonder – $110 million
Greatest Hits: Superstition
Stevland, also known as Stevie Wonder, is one of the most well-known artists of all time. He played harmonica, drums, keyboards, harpejji, and a variety of other instruments in addition to singing and writing. He has sold over a hundred million records and has received twenty-five Grammy Awards and an Academy Award (among many other accolades). He was also inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. On the Billboard Hot 100, Wonder had several big hits. Tamia signed him to an 11-year-old Motown label. He was (and still is) regarded as a prodigy.
Stevie Wonder
Billy Joel – $180 million
Greatest Hits: Piano Man, Movin’ Out (Anthony’s Song)
Because of the success of his first song, singer and composer Billy Joel has been dubbed “Piano Man.” Since the 1970s, he has worked as a solo artist in the music industry. He’s sold over 150 million records worldwide, and his Greatest Hits collection is still one of the best-selling albums of all time in the United States. He was born in the Bronx and dropped out of high school to pursue his passion for music. In 1972, he signed a contract with Columbia Records. He has received 23 Grammy nominations and has won five of them.
Billy Joel
Burt Bacharach – $160 million
Greatest Hits: Arthur’s Theme, Close to You
Burt Bacharach, a songwriter and composer, is regarded as one of the most influential composers of the twentieth century. He began composing in the 1980s after being born in Missouri in 1928. He collaborated with Hal David, a songwriter, to write songs that were recorded by over 1,000 singers. He’s best known for his collaborations with singer Dionne Warwick and his chord progressions and jazz harmony. He also worked with smaller orchestras, assigning members to specific instruments. His music is contemporary, accessible, and pop. He also sings and plays the piano.
Burt Bacharach
Randy Newman – $50 million
Greatest Hits: Just One Smile, I’ve Been Wrong Before
Randy Newman is well-known for his songwriting and arranging prowess and his distinct voice and film scores. He primarily worked as a film composer, receiving twenty Oscar nominations and winning twice. He also has a lot of Oscar nominations. In 2007, he was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Cold Turkey, Meet the Parents, Seabiscuit, and nine Pixar films, including Toy Story, Monsters, Inc., and Cars, were among the films for which he composed both animated and live-action music. Warner Bros. has signed him.
Randy Newman
Dolly Parton – $500 million
Greatest Hits: Jolene, I Will Always Love You, 9 to 5
Dolly Parton has written over 3,000 songs in addition to being a well-known singer. She wrote “I Will Always Love You,” which has been covered by almost every popular artist. When asked about her songwriting, she revealed that she began when she was seven years old. She claims she tries to write something every day, whether it’s a poem, a concept, an album, or a snippet. She was influenced by her Appalachian Mountain upbringing, which included a strong religious tradition. She is a recipient of over 35 BMI Awards.
Dolly Parton
Tom Petty – $95 million
Greatest Hits: Here Comes My Girl, Refugee, Don’t Do Me Like That
Tom Petty is one of the best-selling artists of all time. When he met ten-year-old Elvis Presley, he became interested in rock and roll. The Rolling Stones influenced his own version of punk rock. He was a member of the ill-fated Mudcrutch band. Nonetheless, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers’ formation proved to be a game-changer. Petty formed the band in the 1970s, and their second album charted in the Top40. Their third album was even better, selling two million copies and spawning a slew of singles.
Tom Petty
Loretta Lynn – $65 million
Greatest Hits: You Ain’t Woman Enough, Coal Miner’s Daughter
Loretta Lynn is a country music legend born in Kentucky and is one of the most well-known and influential figures in the genre’s history. She is known for hits like “You Ain’t Woman Enough Don’t Come Home A’Drinkin,” “Fist City,” “One’s on the Way,” etc. Her biographical film, Coal Miner’s Daughter, was named after her biggest hits. She has sold over 45 million records worldwide. She released two dozen albums, as well as one single and eleven singles. She is still touring at the age of 87. She performs at the Grand Ole Opry as well.
Loretta Lynn
Lou Reed – $15 million
Greatest Hits: Think It Over, Heavenly Arms
Lou Reed was the lead singer and songwriter for The Velvet Underground and had a successful solo career that spanned more than fifty years. The Velvet Underground were not commercially successful during their time together, but they are now regarded as one of the most influential underground alt-rock bands of their time. Reed left Velvet Underground in 1970 and went on to release twenty solo albums. His second and third albums were successful, but he had several highs and lows.
Lou Reed
Kris Kristofferson – $160 million
Greatest Hits: Me and Bobby McGee, Sundy Mornin’ Comin’ Down
Kris Kristofferson is a singer-songwriter who has had a successful stage career. He wrote songs for other singers and frequently collaborated with Shel Silverstein, a well-known author. He was best known for his outlaw country collaborations with Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, and The Highwaymen. Heaven’s Gate, Blade, Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, and A Star is Born were among his many film roles. For the success of A Star Is Born, he received a Golden Globe. He now resides on the Hawaiian island of Maui.
Kris Kristofferson
Paul McCartney – $1.2 billion
Greatest Hits: Yesterday
Paul McCartney is the only name on this list who can claim to be more famous than John Lennon, and it’s no surprise that he was a Beatles co-founder. Over 2,200 artists covered his songs, with the song “Yesterday” receiving the most attention. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice, once for his work with the Beatles and again for his solo work. He won eighteen Grammy Awards, and he and his fellow Beatles were named MOB in 1965. In 1997, he was knighted for his contributions to music. It goes without saying that McCartney is now a billionaire as a result of his achievements.
Paul McCartney
Van Morrison – $90 million
Greatest Hits: Gloria, Brown Eyed Girl
Van Morrison is a legendary musician who began his career as a teenager. He performed in Ireland for various showbands and rose to fame as a member of the Northern Irish R&B band Them. He was the band’s lead singer, and they recorded the genre-defining song “Gloria.” In the late 1960s, he released the hit single “Brown-Eyed Girl.” Astral Weeks was his first album, but sales were slow at first. Moondance, his second album, was a smash hit. Van Morrison is also on the road today, performing music.
Van Morrison
Taylor Swift – $360 million
Greatest Hits: Shake It Off, I Knew You Were Trouble
Singer-songwriter Taylor Swift, born in Pennsylvania, is one of the world’s most popular singers today. She began her career in country music when she was fourteen years old, moving to Nashville to pursue her dream. She was the youngest artist ever to sign with Sony, and she signed with Big Machine. Her debut album, released in 2006, was the longest-charting album of the decade. She set several sales records, owing in part to her youth. She’s shifted to a pop-rock sound, but she’s still writing her own songs.
Taylor Swift
Bob Dylan – $200 million
Greatest Hits: The Times, They Are A’Changin’, Blowin In The Wind
Bob Dylan, a folk singer, is one of the most popular (and controversial) musicians of all time. He wrote the Civil Rights anthems “The Times They Are A’Changin'” and “Blowin’ In the Wind,” and released his self-titled album in the early 1960s, which was followed by hit after hit. Politically, he released a number of albums and singles. He was also one of the first rock musicians to use electrically amplified instruments, which was controversial at the time. In 2012 and 2016, he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Nobel Prize to sell over 100 million albums.
Bob Dylan
Brian Wilson – $75 million
Greatest Hits: Good Vibrations, I Get Around, God Only Knows, Barbara Ann
Brian Wilson was a founding member of the Beach Boys. He wrote over twenty-four top 40 hits for Capitol after signing with the label in 1962. He’s regarded as one of the twentieth century’s most inventive songwriters, with some calling him a genius. With his brothers and cousin, he founded the Beach Boys. Wilson continues to tour on occasion and is regarded as the godfather of indie pop and punk rock. His melodies and orchestrations were difficult to implement, but artists (including the Beatles) benefited greatly from his influence.
Brian Wilson
John Fogerty – $70 million
Greatest Hits: Proud Mary, Bad Moon Rising, Fortunate Son
John Fogerty had a successful solo career as well as a successful career as a member of Creedence Clearwater Revival, a band he co-founded with his brother Tom, Doug Clifford, and Stu Cook. He was the lead guitarist, composer, and writer of the majority of the songs. The band disbanded in 1972, and he went on to have a successful solo career. He was ranked #40 and #72 on Rolling Stone’s list of the 100 Best Guitarists and Greatest Singers of All Time, respectively (respectively). He’s written a slew of hits, including “Proud Mary,” which Tina Turner resurrects as a classic bop tune.
John Fogerty
Willie Nelson – $25 million
Greatest Hits: Family Bible, On the Road Again
Willie Nelson, a Texas-born songwriter, singer, and actor, got his big break when he released Shotgun Willie. He became an iconic figure in the 1970s as a result of this and his albums Red Headed Stranger and Stardust. He’s also acted in thirty films, written several books, and campaigned for marijuana legalization and the use of biofuels. He’s also known for releasing The IRS Tapes, a double-album whose proceeds were used to pay off his unpaid tax debt with the IRS.
Willie Nelson
Elton John – $500 million
Greatest Hits: Rocket Man, Crocodile Rock
Elton John is a rock legend who has sold over 300 million albums and had fifty-eight Billboard top 40 singles. His song “Candle in the Wind,” which he wrote in memory of Princess Diana after her tragic death, is still the best-selling single in British and American history. He’s won five Grammys and a slew of other awards, putting him only behind The Beatles and Madonna in terms of critical acclaim. He’s also a well-known LGBTQ activist who has raised more than $300 million for the LGBTQ community.
Elton John
David Bowie – $100 million
Greatest Hits: Changes, Space Oddity, Modern Love
David Bowie’s albums have sold over 140 million copies worldwide, earning him ten Platinum certifications for his numerous hits. He was known for his clear style reinvention and visual presentation. Ziggy Stardust, an androgynous, daring pop legend, is his alter ego. Bowie, who was born in South London, began studying art and music at a young age. In 1983, he debuted as a musician with the release of Space Oddity. Before his death at the age of sixty-two, he married supermodel Iman. He is still regarded as a pioneer of art rock and glam rock.
David Bowie
Glenn Frey – $200 million
Greatest Hits: Tequila Sunrise, Lyin’ Eyes, James Dean
Glenn Frey was The Eagles’ lead singer (and their guitarist as well). He wrote several of the best-known singles, including “Tequila Sunrise,” “Lyin’ Eyes,” “Take It Easy,” “New Kid in Town,” and more. Following the breakup of the Eagles in 1980, he went solo. No Fun Aloud was his debut album. Many of his top 40 hits included “Blues Smuggler,” “The Heat Is On,” “Sexy Girl,” and others. He died in New York City at the age of 67.
Glenn Frey
John Prine – $6 million
Greatest Hits: Sam Stone, Illegal Smile, Dear Abby
Since the 1970s, John Prine has had a successful career as a songwriter and musician. At the age of fourteen, he began taking guitar lessons at Folk’s Old Town School in Chicago. He took a break from music when he was eighteen and joined the army in West Germany. He returned to Chicago and worked as a man until he was discovered by singer Kris Kristofferson, who assisted him in releasing his first album with Atlantic Records. He’s known for his satirical songs about current events and life in general.
John Prine
Bono – $700 million
Greatest Hits: Sunday, Bloody Sunday
Bono is a well-known musician who was born in Dublin. He is U2’s boss and is responsible for nearly all of the band’s songs. He was nominated for 22 Grammy Awards with the band. He went into great detail about his songwriting style. He uses social and political themes in his songs, and his upbringing at a religious school frequently influences his music. He used to write songs with a defiant tone, but as he explained, he “matured” and began writing about more personal experiences he and U2 members shared. Ali Stewart is a married woman.
Bono
George Harrison – $400 million
Greatest Hits: Taxman, Here Comes the Sun
George Harrison was The Beatles’ lead guitarist, and he was known as “the Quiet Beatle” because he was not one of the band’s more well-known members (as opposed to McCartney or Lennon). (in contrast to McCartney and Lennon). He wrote “Here Comes the Sun,” “Taxman,” “Something,” and other songs by the band. George Formby, Carl Perkins, Chuck Berry, and Django Reinhardt are among his musical influences. Incorporating Indian instruments and Hindu spirituality into the band’s work, he was also inspired by Indian culture and music. He was born in Liverpool and died in Los Angeles in 2001.
George Harrison
Sam Cooke – $650,000
Greatest Hits: Wonderful World, Chain Gang, A Change is Gonna Come
Sam Cooke worked as a musician and business owner. He was a well-known songwriter as well. He was dubbed the “King of Soul” because of his pop music power and popular voice. He began singing as a child and later joined The Soul Stirrers before embarking on a solo career. Aretha Franklin, Al Green, Curtis Mayfield, Bobby Womack, Billy Preston, Marvin Gaye, and many others were among the artists he backed. He made James Brown and Otis Redding famous. Bruce Eder of AllMusic dubbed him the “inventor” of the soul genre. Mississippi is where I was born.
Sam Cooke
Bert Berns – $20 million
Greatest Hits: Hang on Sloopy, Twist and Shout, Here Comes the Night
Bert Berns (also known as Bert Russell and Russell Byrd) was a major producer and songwriter in the 1960s who was born in the Bronx. Popular songs such as “Twist and South,” “Hang on Sloopy,” and others are among his credits. He wrote and produced hit songs for Atlantic, Bang, and Shout, including “Brown Eyed Girl,” “Under the Boardwalk,” and “Baby Please Don’t Go.” He used to dance in mambo nightclubs in Havana when he was younger before the Cuban Revolution brought him back to the United States. He died of heart complications at the age of 38.
Bert Berns
Marvin Gaye – $5 million
Greatest Hits: How Sweet It Is, Ain’t That Peculiar, I Heard it Through the Grapevine.
Marvin Gaye, also known as “Prince of Soul” and “Prince of Motown,” was a key figure in the development of the Motown sound in the 1960s. Before going solo, he was the first in-house session musician. He was one of the first Motown musicians to break away from the record industry and create his own music alongside Stevie Wonder. He had a significant influence on the genres of quiet storm music and neo-soul. Midnight Love earned him a Grammy nomination. At the 1983 NBA All-Star Game, he sang the national anthem for the final time on television. He was also on Soul Train.
Marvin Gaye
Chrissie Hynde – $12 million
Greatest Hits: Talk of the Town, Back on the Chain Gang
Chrissie Hynde has been the frontwoman of The Pretenders since 1978. Working in London with designer Vivienne Westwood at a jointly owned clothing shop, she was influenced by the hippie counterculture movement. She quit her job in fashion to pursue a career in music. She collaborated with artists such as UB40, Cher, and Frank Sinatra on songs. In 1978, she made a demo tape and gave it to Dave Hill, the owner of Real Records. She started paying back the rent she owed in her London practice room, recouping everything she owed and more.
Chrissie Hynde
Lucinda Williams – $15 million
Greatest Hits: Can’t Let Go, Get Right With God
Born in Louisiana, Lucinda Williams, a rock-country singer, is one of the most well-known representatives of the folk-rock and country-rock movements. She has been in the music industry since 1978, and her debut album, Lucinda Williams, made her famous for her style. The song “Passionate Kisses,” which won Williams her first Grammy in 1994, was featured on this album. She’s known for her consistency, having only released two more albums to date. Her big break came when she misplaced Car Wheels on a Gravel Path that was gold-certified.
Lucinda Williams
Harry Nilsson – $7 million
Greatest Hits: Without You, Coconut
Harry Nilsson made history as one of the few successful rock artists of his generation, despite never performing a major concert or touring and still achieving considerable commercial success. He’s known for his Great American Songbook-influenced sound, which he blends with Caribbean sounds. As a tenor, he had a three-and-a-half-octave range. He left an indelible mark on Indie rock. He wrote songs for bands such as The Monkees. Nilsson Schmilsson was his most commercially successful album. He was also a member of the Hollywood Vampires drinking club and John Lennon’s best friend.
Harry Nilsson
Curtis Mayfield – $10 million
Greatest Hits: People Get Ready
Curtis Mayfield was a member of The Impressions, a big band known for its civil rights activism and songs in the 1950s and 1960s. He began singing in a gospel choir when he was a child in Chicago. He became a member of the Impressions after meeting fellow artist Jerry Butler. Because of their social consciousness, his songs became part of the civil rights movement. “People Get Ready,” his album, was ranked #24 on Rolling Stone’s Greatest All-Time Songs list. He was also the director of Super Fly.
Curtis Mayfield
Max Martin – $260 million
Greatest Hits: Baby One More Time, It’s Gonna Be Me, I Want It That Way
One of our most recent authors is Max Martin. After writing hit songs for Britney Spears (“…Baby One More Time”), The Backstreet Boys (“I Want It That Way”), and NYSNC (“It’s Gonna Be Me”), he was born in Sweden. On the Billboard Charts, he has twenty-two number-one songs. He also produced several of these hits. He’s written songs for Katy Perry, Maroon 5, Taylor Swift, and The Weeknd. In terms of number one singles, he trails Paul McCartney and George Martin.
Max Martin
Allen Toussaint – $3 million
Greatest Hits: Working in the Coal Mine, Yes We Can Can, Java
Allen Toussaint was a prominent rhythm-and-blues figure in New Orleans, born in Gert Town, Louisiana. He started his career in the 1950s and was dubbed a “backroom figure” for his writing and composition skills. Songs like “Fortune Teller,” “Working in the Coal Mine,” “Java,” “Mother – in – Law,” and others were written by him. “Lady Marmalade” and “Right Place, Wrong Time” were two of his biggest hits. As a young boy, he learned to play the piano from an elderly neighbor. His father was a trumpet player who also worked on the railway.
Allen Toussaint
Chuck Berry – $10 million
Greatest Hits: Ida Red, You Can Never Tell, Johnny B. Goode
The “Father of Rock ‘N Roll” was Chuck Berry. He developed a style of guitar solos and showy performances that became the foundation of rock and roll by refining and adapting rhythm and blues. He was born in St. Louis and began playing music at a young age. He started out with the Johnnie Johnson Trio, but it was when he met singer Muddy Waters that he got his big break. Muddy hooked him up with Chess Records, and his first hit was Ida Red, which went on to sell over a million copies.
Chuck Berry
Pete Townshend – $105 million
Greatest Hits: Happy Jack, Pictures of Lilly
One of the most well-known names is Pete Townshend. The Who, the legendary band’s co-founder. His band’s career spanned more than fifty years, and the band he led became one of the most influential musical voices in the second half of the twentieth century. He wrote over a hundred songs for The Who’s eleven albums, including songs for Tommy and Quadrophenia’s rock operas. He also wrote essays, books, and columns, among other things. He embarked on an exciting solo career. It also helps that he’s a legendary guitarist.
Pete Townshend
George Clinton – $1.8 million
Greatest Hits: Can’t C Me, Loopzilla, You’re Thinkin’ Right
George Clinton, a former Motown songwriter, is best known for writing and recording a slew of hit songs for indie Detroit soul labels. The Parliaments, later renamed Parliament and Funkadelic, was his band. Clinton’s distinct psychedelic rock and electro-funk style became well-known in the years that followed. He inspired rap music, writing Tupac’s song “Can’t C Me.” He also wrote “Bop Gun” for artists including Ice Cube, Outkast, Redman, Wu-Tang Clan, and more. His own name, C Kunspyruhzy.
George Clinton
Isaac Hayes – $12 million
Greatest Hits: Soul Man
Stax Records was founded by Isaac Hayes, who was the driving force behind it. He worked for the label as an in-house session musician before becoming a singer-songwriter. He was born in Tennessee and wrote “Soul Man,” which is considered one of the most influential soul songs. He also wrote well-known film songs. He won an Academy Award for his work on the film score for Shaft. He became the third African-American to win the “competitive” Academy Award. He was named BMI Icon in 2003 after winning ten awards.
Isaac Hayes
Joe Strummer – $4 million
Greatest Hits: Rock the Casbah
Joe Strummer is one of punk rock’s most influential figures. He was the founder of The Clash, which was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2003. The band’s second album reached #2 on the UK charts, and their third and fourth albums were certified platinum in the United States. The Mescaleros, Pogues, Latino Rockabilly, 101ers, and other bands collaborated with Strummer. He also had a solo career, composed for TV and film scores, wrote radio plays, and was a major performer for the activist group Rock Against Racism.
Joe Strummer
Patti Smith – $16 million
Greatest Hits: Because the Night
Patti Smith is a songwriter, poet, and singer who, thanks to her groundbreaking debut album Horses, was a key figure in New York City’s punk rock movement in the 1970s. She’s known as the punk poet laureate because of her ability to combine poetry and punk rock. She co-wrote “Because the Night” with Bruce Springsteen, and it is perhaps her most well-known song. She is also a novelist, having won the National Book Award for her memoir, Only Kids, in 2010. She has also been named one of Rolling Stone’s “Greatest Artists.”
Patti Smith
Madonna – $590 million
Greatest Hits: Like a Virgin, Like a Prayer, Vogue, Hung Up
Madonna is known as the “Queen of Pop,” and she is known for pushing boundaries in her acting, songwriting, and singing, sometimes causing controversy with her images and lyrics. She’s been performing since 1979. She moved to New York City to pursue a dance career before switching to music and working for Breakfast Club as a guitarist. In 1982, she signed a record deal with Sire Records. Her Grammy-winning songs include “Like a Virgin,” “Ray of Light,” “Confessions on a Dance Floor,” and others. Other artists have cited her as a source of inspiration.
Madonna
Fats Domino – $8 million
Greatest Hits: Ain’t That a Shame, Jambalaya, Lady Madonna
Fats Domino, a pioneer of New Orleans rock and roll, was one of the genre’s most influential musicians. He also influenced R&B. Between 1955 and 1960, he sold over 65 million records and had eleven top ten hits. Because he was modest and camera-shy, his rock influence is often overlooked. Thirty-five of his albums charted in the top 40 of the Billboard 200. Many of these albums have been certified platinum or gold. In 1949, he released “The Fat Man,” the first rock and roll album to sell a million copies.
Fats Domino
Kurt Cobain – $50 million
Greatest Hits: Smells Like Teen Spirit, Sappy
Kurt Cobain was the frontman for Nirvana, one of the most influential bands of Generation X. He’s also the lead guitarist for the band. He was born in Washington and co-founded the band with Aaron Burckhard and Krist Novoselic in 1987. It was a part of the grunge scene in Seattle. Nirvana signed with DGC and soared, thanks in large part to the success of his second album, which featured the single “Smells Like Teen Spirit.” Cobain was enraged by the media’s portrayal of his message, claiming that it had been misconstrued and oversimplified. He married Courtney Love, a rocker.
Kurt Cobain
Walter Becker – $20 million
Greatest Hits: Bad Sneakers, Do It Again
Steely Dan’s co-founder and co-songwriter was Walter Becker. He also played guitar and bass in a jazz/rock band. When they were both students at Bard College, he met his co-founder, Donald Fagen. They decided to form Steely Dan and relocated to Los Angeles. After a successful commercial run, Becker relocated to Hawaii, where he worked as a record producer and was a member of the English band China Crisis. Steely Dan was reformed by Fagen in 1993.
Walter Becker
Tom Waits – $25 million
Greatest Hits: Closing Time, Somewhere
Tom Waits is a singer-songwriter and actor from California. He’s known for his gravely distinctive voice and punk lyrics. He specialized in jazz in the 1970s, but he was also influenced by blues and vaudeville. Bob Dylan and the Beat Generation are among his influences. He began singing in San Diego before moving to Los Angeles to sign with Asylum Records. Closing Time, Saturday Night’s Heart, and Small Change, his first commercially successful album, were among his first releases. For Francis Ford Coppola’s One, Waits composed the Heart score.
Tom Waits