20 Highest Paid Guitarists

Dave Matthews – $300 Million

Good enough to name his band after himself, Dave Matthews is a shockingly prolific person. After starting to play the guitar at just nine years old, he has since taken a range of roles from singer and songwriter to producer and even the owner of a record label. He was the single highest-selling act in the 2000s, which is no mean feat.

As if all of that wasn’t enough, Matthews has done some acting, owns a vineyard, and bought more than a thousand acres of land in Virginia. On top of that, he frequently works as a collaborator for other artists’ albums, and his continued efforts mean his net worth is likely to keep rising significantly over time.

Dave Grohl – $320 Million

It can be hard to make a big change in your music career. Dave Grohl’s performance as part of Nirvana would have been sufficient to make him independently wealthy all on its own, but he kicked things up after leaving them and forming the Foo Fighters, where he’s the main songwriter, lead singer, and guitarist.

Grohl has collaborated on a range of projects with different bands, including Tenacious D, and has a long mix of singles and collaborations (often for his drum work) further padding his income. With two hit bands and a range of other credits, it’s no surprise that he’s accrued so much wealth.

Toby Keith – $365 Million

Toby Keith isn’t just one of the most recognized country singers of all time, he’s also incredibly prolific. It’s not rare for him to release an album every year, and that’s on top of a range of singles. Much of that is continuing a strong start, though, when his debut song was the top country song throughout the 90s.

Although he’s earned plenty of money from his consistent releases and frequent tours, that alone isn’t “beating Led Zeppelin” big. What really jump-started his wealth was an investment in Big Machine Records, a label that’s hosted many of country music’s other biggest stars. His early investment saw tremendous returns, catapulting him up to this place on our list.

Bob Dylan – $375 Million

Robert “Bob” Dylan, born Robert Zimmerman, is one of the most-recognized singers and songwriters of the last century. He’s gone by many names over the years, but he was especially popular in the 1960s when some of his songs became popular anthems for the Civil Rights Movement.

Dylan is impressively prolific, having released an album every few years since 1962. Earning royalties for hit albums across decades, many of them multi-Platinum ensures there’s no way he wouldn’t be high on this list.

Dylan has also appeared in many documentaries, collaborations, music videos, and more which have augmented but not seriously influenced his already-incredible revenue stream.

The Edge – $400 Million

Born David Evans, The Edge is both the lead guitarist and a backing vocalist for the rock band U2. He’s known to have an understated way of playing, often incorporating delays, effect units, and harmonics to create a more complex sound.

His income comes primarily from U2’s works, with most of their albums certified multi-platinum in multiple regions. Some concert videos and compilations have sold similarly well, supporting the band’s already-impressive sales numbers with even higher royalties.

Eric Clapton – $450 Million

Few people have had the kind of impact Clapton had on the entire history of rock music. Despite this, his wealth comes more from his independent work than from his time with many different bands. He didn’t need much time to establish himself with the Yardbirds or the Bluesbreakers, though, because people took notice when he played.

As you’d expect for someone with this kind of income, Clapton has multiple platinum-level releases, including singles and albums. He’s also earned significant royalties from his music appearing on television and in movies over the decades, with further wealth coming from owning many Ferraris, a clothing shop, property, and more.

Keith Richards – $500 Million

Sometimes known just as Keith Richard instead, Richards is a co-founder, guitarist, and one of the principal songwriters for the Rolling Stones. Between band income, writing royalties, and appearances in other areas, he’s earned a truly phenomenal amount.

Beyond his musical career, Richards has earned money as a producer and director for other bands, alongside additional fees for appearances on assorted albums from other artists. However, these are a relatively small part of his lifetime income. Constant sell-out shows with one of the greatest bands of all time are the real source of money at this level.

Bruce Springsteen – $500 Million

Although ostensibly a member of the E Street Band, they’re better understood as a backing group for Springsteen’s performances. It’s wrong to say that Springsteen is a solo artist, but there’s a bigger separation between him and his band than is common at this level of income for the highest-paid guitarists.

Like many of the wealthiest guitarists, Springsteen has the benefit of frequent releases across the decades, starting with his first album in 1973. He’s also run near-constant tours between albums, resulting in explosive ticket sales to line his already-impressive royalties for the albums.

Springsteen has earned a huge range of awards across his career, from 20 Grammys and an Academy Award to the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Never content to sit and rest on what he’s already earned, it’s no surprise that a career full of hits (and concerts) has resulted in being so high on this list.

Jimmy Buffett – $600 Million

Making people laugh is a sure way to get attention, and few people represent this better than Jimmy Buffett. He’s especially well-known for his Margaritaville brand, with a kind of island escapism that appeals to most people. His style ranges from country and rock to pop, folk, and even Caribbean-influenced calypso styling.

Buffett has a long discography, usually releasing albums every few years. He was especially prolific in his early career, sometimes releasing multiple albums in the same year. The albums have mostly been well-received, although not to the same level of fame as bands like Metallica and Led Zeppelin.

Although independently successful with his music and concert sales, Buffett has also earned a lot of additional income from his other business ventures. These include a range of restaurants, a footwear company, and even a planned retirement village in Daytona Beach. That’s the real secret behind his money and shows that music alone only goes so far.

Paul McCartney – $1.2 Billion

The Beatles need no introduction, and neither does their rhythm guitarist, Sir Paul McCartney. During his time with the band, he took on a range of roles, including songwriting and work as a lead vocalist. He’d eventually become the lead member of the group, though it eventually disbanded and he moved on to a solo career.

His time alone has shown that McCartney’s skill is real, with multiple independent platinum releases. McCartney has also appeared in a jaw-dropping number of collaborations and videos, alongside the epic royalties that come in every time the Beatles songs get played.

There’s no denying his initial success with the Beatles, but it’s McCartney’s continued work across the decades that make him the highest-paid guitarist in history. As a side note, he released quite a lot with his wife Linda McCartney before her passing in 1998, where she was an impressive performer in her own right.

Richest Guitarists In The World, Final Thoughts

When you look at the highest-paid guitarist, it’s easy to see why the position has so much admiration. Guitarists are central to many bands, and those who truly hit it big have become some of the highest-earning musicians of all time.