Check Out The Wealthiest Songwriters In History

Johnny Cash – $60 million

Greatest Hits: I Walk the Line, Folsom Prison Blues

Johnny Cash, selling over 90 million albums worldwide, is one of the most successful singers. He was inducted into Country Music’s Hall of Fame and Rock & Roll’s Hall of Fame, and Gospel Music Hall of Fame. Known for hard-edged music. “Hello, I’m Johnny Cash” was his opening line. He’d make a simple introduction before each concert, shirking the showboat popular in the rock genre. In Walk, the Line, distributed by 20th Century Fox, Cash’s legacy was remembered.

Johnny Cash – $60 Million

Joni Mitchell – $50 million

Greatest Hits: Woodstock, Big Yellow Taxi

The Blue Album by Joni Mitchell is one of the greatest. She is a pianist, guitarist, and poet. She mixed folk, pop, jazz, and rock elements in her music and started singing in the streets and small bars. She was active in the Baby Boom counterculture, with regular advocacy and demonstrations. Her “Big Yellow Taxi” songs, “Woodstock,” and “Both Sides were among her biggest hits, now all released by Reprise Records. Noted also for her adaptability. She many times changed her look and voice to become a pop and electronic influence.

Joni Mitchell – $50 Million

Jerry Garcia – $40 million

Greatest Hits: Truckin’, Sugaree

Throughout his thirty-year career, Jerry Garcia, born in San Francisco, was part of this popular band. He had several other bands and other solo albums as well. He was 13th on Rolling Stone’s “100 Greatest Guitarists” list. He was the main songwriter of the Grateful Dead, best known for his style of psychedelic rock. Truckin ‘, “Truckin’,” he was famous for his improvisation and guitar solos, which suited him well because it relieved the stress he said in an interview.

Jerry Garcia – $40 Million

Paul Simon – $75 million

Greatest Hits: Bridge Over Troubled Water

Almost every song, including “Mrs. Robinson,” “Sound of Silence,” and perhaps their most popular hit, “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” owned by Columbia Records, was written by Paul Simon. The duo broke up in 1970, and Graceland, influenced by South Africa, where he lived for a while, was published by Simon. Graceland sold 14 million copies upon its release, and it is his most successful solo work to date. He had a career on Broadway, writing musicals. With the poet Derek Walcott, he wrote The Capeman. He was also a screenwriter.

Paul Simon – $75 Million

James Taylor – $60 million

Greatest Hits: Paint It Black, Night Owl

Five Grammys were awarded to singer-songwriter James Taylor, and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inducted him in 2000. He’s one of the best artists ever to sell 100 million albums worldwide. He had his breakthrough with the “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,” “HandyMan,” and “Sweet Baby James.” His first U.S. number-one album was not released until 2015 with Before This World release.

James Taylor – $60 Million

Carole King – $70 million

Greatest Hits: It’s Too Late, Nightingale, Jazzman

Carole King was one of the most popular and lucrative female songwriters ever, from 1950-2000. She wrote or co-wrote 118 Billboard Hot 100 hits. And America alone is that. She wrote sixty-one hits, making her the most popular female songwriter there, too, reaching the UK charts. She has released several albums, including Writer and Tapestry, her breakthrough being the latter. For nearly four months in America, Tapestry remained in the charts and stayed on the charts six years later. In 2012, she received a Hollywood Star.

Carole King – $70 Million

Stevie Wonder – $110 million

Greatest Hits: Superstition

One of the most popular artists ever is Stevland or Stevie Wonder. He also played harmonica, drums, keyboards, harpejji, and many other instruments besides singing and writing prowess. He sold over a hundred million records and won 25 Grammys and an Academy Award. He has also been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and the Hall of Songwriters. On the Billboard Hot 100, Wonder had several big hits. He signed with Tamia, an 11-year-old Motown label. He was and is known to be a prodigy.

Stevie Wonder – $110 Million

Billy Joel – $180 million

Greatest Hits: Piano Man, Movin’ Out (Anthony’s Song)

Following his first song’s success, singer and composer Billy Joel is dubbed “Piano Man” Since the 1970s, he has been a solo artist in the industry. He’s sold more than 150 million records worldwide, and one of America’s best-selling albums ever remains his Greatest Hits collection. He was born in the Bronx and dropped out of high school to study music. In 1972, he seized Columbia Records and signed a contract. Out of 23 nominations, he has won five Grammys.

Billy Joel – $180 Million

Burt Bacharach – $160 million

Greatest Hits: Arthur’s Theme, Close to You

Burt Bacharach is one of the most influential composers of the 20th century. Born in Missouri, he began composing in the 1980s. He partnered with writer Hal David to create songs recorded by over 1,000 singers. He’s known as a singer for his work with Dionne Warwick, his chord progression, and jazz harmony. He also collaborated with smaller orchestras, assigning their member’s unique instruments. Contemporary, easy-to-hear, and pop are his styles. He plays the piano as well and sings.

Burt Bacharach – $160 Million

Randy Newman – $50 million

Greatest Hits: Just One Smile, I’ve Been Wrong Before

Randy Newman and his distinctive voice and film scores are known for his prolific songwriting and arranging. He worked primarily as a movie composer, earning twenty Oscar awards and winning twice. He’s one of the most-nominated Oscars. He was inducted into Fame’s Songwriters Hall in 2007. For films, including Cold Turkey, Meet the Parents, Seabiscuit, and nine different Pixar movies such as Toy Story, Monsters, and Cars, he composed animated as well as live-action music.

Randy Newman – $50 Million

Dolly Parton – $500 million

Greatest Hits: Jolene, I Will Always Love You, 9 to 5

Dolly Parton, in addition to being a popular singer, has written over 3,000 songs. Whitney Houston wrote, “I Will Always Love You,” and almost every popular artist covered that song. Interviewed about her songwriting, she said that she began writing when she was just seven years old. Whether it’s a poem, concept, album, or little tidbit, she said she’s trying to write something every day. With a deep religious tradition in the Appalachian Mountains, she was influenced by her folk childhood. She won 35 BMI Awards.

Dolly Parton – $500 Million

Tom Petty – $95 million

Greatest Hits: Here Comes My Girl, Refugee, Don’t Do Me Like That

Tom Petty, a musician, was one of the best-selling artists ever. When he met Elvis Presley, who was 10 years old, he became interested in rock and roll. He was also influenced by his own version of punk rock, The Rolling Stones. He formed an unsuccessful Band of Mudcrutch. Yet the formation and the Heartbreakers of Tom Petty turned out to be a game-changer. Petty formed the group in the 1970s, and their second album reached the Top40. Their third album was even better, selling two million copies and singles.

Tom Petty – $95 Million

Loretta Lynn – $65 million

Greatest Hits: You Ain’t Woman Enough, Coal Miner’s Daughter

Loretta Lynn is one of the most popular and influential country stars in country music history and was born in Kentucky. She is famous for hits such as “You Ain’t Woman Enough Don’t Come Home A Drinkin,” “Fist City,” “One’s on the Way,” and so on. Her biographical film, The Daughter of the Coal Miner, is named after her greatest hits. She has over 45,000,000 records sold. She had two dozen albums, eleven numbers, and one single. She’s still touring at 87 on this day. She’s at the Grand Ole Opry, too.

Loretta Lynn – $65 Million

Lou Reed – $15 million

Greatest Hits: Think It Over, Heavenly Arms

Lou Reed was the lead singer and songwriter of The Velvet Underground, and he had a flourishing solo career that lasted over fifty years. The Velvet Underground was not commercially successful during its time together but is now considered one of the most influential underground alt-rock bands of its time. In 1970, Reed left the Velvet Underground and released 20 solo records. He did well with his second and third albums, but he had several ups and downs. He was brought alive by his later records, New Sensations, and New York.

Lou Reed – $15 Million

Kris Kristofferson – $160 million

Greatest Hits: Me and Bobby McGee, Sunday Mornin’ Comin’ Down

Speaking of Kris Kristofferson, he’s a singer-songwriter with a successful career as a performer. He was a writer for other singers and often combined his tracks with the popular writer Shel Silverstein. He was known, including Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash, and Willie Nelson, for his outlaw country collaborations and The Highwaymen. He starred in movies such as Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, Heaven’s Gate, Blade, and A Star are Born. He won a Golden Globe for the success of A Star’s Born. Now, he lives in Maui, Hawaii.

Kris Kristofferson – $160 Million

Paul McCartney – $1.2 billion

Greatest Hits: Yesterday

The only name here that can surpass John Lennon in terms of fame is Paul McCartney, and it makes sense that he was a co-founder of the Beatles as well. He had over 2,200 artists covering songs, especially for the song Yesterday. He was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame twice, once for his Beatles career and solo career. He received eighteen Grammys, and he and his fellow Beatles members were named MOB in 1965. He was also knighted for music services in 1997.

Paul McCartney – $1.2 Billion

Van Morrison – $90 million

Greatest Hits: Gloria, Brown Eyed Girl

Van Morrison is a music legend who started his teenage career. He played for different show bands in Ireland, becoming popular as a member of the Northern Irish R&B group Them. He was the lead singer, recording “Gloria” with Them to define the genre. He released the popular “Brown-Eyed Girl.” single in the late 1960s. His first album was Astral Weeks, but sales were initially slow. But Moondance, his second album, was a sensation. Van Morrison is also making music tours to this day.

Van Morrison – $90 Million

Bob Dylan – $200 million

Greatest Hits: The Times, They Are A’Changin’, Blowin In The Wind

Folk singer Bob Dylan is one of the greatest musicians in pop-culture (and counterculture). In the early 1960s, he released his eponymous album, followed by hit record after hit, The Times They Are A’Changing ‘and’ Blowin ‘In the Wind’ Civil Rights anthems. Politically, he released many albums and singles. He was also one of the first to use electrically amplified instruments in his rock music, a move that was then controversial. He sold over 100 million albums in 2012 and 2016, respectively, and received the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Nobel Prize.

Bob Dylan – $200 Million

Brian Wilson – $75 million

Greatest Hits: Good Vibrations, I Get Around, God Only Knows, Barbara Ann

Brian Wilson co-founded beach Boys. Signed in 1962 to Capitol, he wrote over twenty-four of the band’s top 40 hits. He’s considered one of the twentieth century’s most creative songwriters, and some say he’s a genius. He, with his brothers and cousin, founded the Beach Boys. Wilson still tours occasionally and is considered an indie pop and punk godfather. Though artists (including the Beatles) gained a lot from their influence, his melodies and orchestrations proved difficult to initiate.

Brian Wilson – $75 Million

John Fogerty – $70 million

Greatest Hits: Proud Mary, Bad Moon Rising, Fortunate Son

John Fogerty had a good solo career and a brilliant career as a Creedence Clearwater Revival member, a band he formed with his brother Tom, Doug Clifford, and Stu Cook. He was the lead guitarist, composer and composed most songs. The band broke up sadly in 1972, starting a great solo career. Rolling Stone placed him among 100 Best Guitarists and Greatest Singers of all time (respectively). He’s penned many hits, including “Proud Mary,” which Tina Turner puts back in an iconic bop song.

John Fogerty – $70 Million

Willie Nelson – $25 million

Greatest Hits: Family Bible, On the Road Again

Willie Nelson, a songwriter, singer, and actor born in Texas, had his big break when he published Shotgun Willie. Plus, his Red Headed Stranger and Stardust albums made him an iconic figure of the 1970s. He has also starred in thirty films, written numerous books, and worked as a marijuana legalization activist and biofuel use activist. He’s also known for releasing The IRS Tapes, a double-album whose proceeds went to the IRS to pay off his unpaid tax debt.

Willie Nelson – $25 Million

Elton John – $500 million

Greatest Hits: Rocket Man, Crocodile Rock

To this day, rock legend Elton John has sold more than 300 million albums and had 58 Billboard singles in the top 40. In the history of the United Kingdom and the United States, his song, “Candle in the Wind,” which he wrote to honor Princess Diana after her tragic death, remains the best-selling single. He won five Grammys and several other accolades, placing him in critical success behind only The Beatles and Madonna. He is also an outstanding LGBTQ activist, raising more than $300 million for LGBTQ.

Elton John – $500 Million

David Bowie – $100 million

Greatest Hits: Changes, Space Oddity, Modern Love

Over 140 million albums were sold by David Bowie worldwide, earning ten Platinum certifications for his many hit songs. He was known for visual presentation and the reinvention of a clear style. Ziggy Stardust, an androgynous, daring pop legend, is he alter ego. When he was very young, Bowie, born in South London, started studying art and music. In 1983, he launched his music career, releasing Space Oddity. Before his sudden death at sixty-two, he married the supermodel Iman. He’s still an iconic rock and glam rock artist.

David Bowie – $100 Million

Glenn Frey – $200 million

Greatest Hits: Tequila Sunrise, Lyin’ Eyes, James Dean

Glenn Frey became the lead singer of The Eagles (and their guitarist as well). A number of the best-known songs he wrote, including “Tequila Sunrise,” “Lyin’ Eyes,” “Take It Easy,” “New Kid in Town,” and more. He went solo afterward since the Eagles broke up in 1980. No Fun Aloud was his debut. He had many hits, including “Blues Smuggler,” “The Heat Is On,” “Sexy Girl,” and more, reaching the top 40s. In New York City, he died at 67.

Glenn Frey – $200 Million

John Prine – $6 million

Greatest Hits: Sam Stone, Illegal Smile, Dear Abby

Since the 1970s, John Prine has been a songwriter and musician with a successful career. At the age of 14, he learned to play guitar, attending Folk’s Old Town School in Chicago. He took a break from music after eighteen and served in West Germany as part of the Army. He moved back to Chicago, where he worked as a man until the singer Kris Kristofferson noticed him and released his first Atlantic album. He’s famous for his satirical songs about current affairs and life in general.

John Prine – $6 Million

Bono – $700 million

Greatest Hits: Sunday, Bloody Sunday

One of Dublin’s most popular musicians is Bono. He’s the boss of U2, and he writes almost all U2’s songs. He won 22 Grammys for the band. He spoke at length about his style of songwriting. He utilizes social and political themes in his songs, and his songs are often affected by his upbringing at a religious school. In his earlier songs, he had a defiant sound, but as he said, he “matured” and began writing about more personal experiences he shared with U2 members. Ali Stewart, the singer, is married.

Bono – $700 Million

George Harrison – $400 million

Greatest Hits: Taxman, Here Comes the Sun

George Harrison was The Beatles’ lead guitarist, and because he was not one of their more famous members, he was nicknamed “the Quiet Beatle.” He wrote some of the band’s songs, including Here Comes the Sun, Taxman, Something, etc. George Formby, Carl Perkins, Chuck Berry, Django Reinhardt are his musical influences. He was also inspired by Indian culture and music, extending pop music to the band’s work to incorporate Indian instruments and Hindu spirituality. Born in Liverpool, he died in 2001 in LA.

George Harrison – $400 Million

Sam Cooke – $650,000

Greatest Hits: Wonderful World, Chain Gang, A Change is Gonna Come

The resident, musician, and business owner was Sam Cooke. He was an influential songwriter as well. His power in pop music and his popular voice called him “King of Soul.” When he was young, he started singing, joining The Soul Stirrers until his later solo career. He supported Aretha Franklin, Al Green, Curtis Mayfield, Bobby Womack, Billy Preston, Marvin Gaye, and many more. He made James Brown and Otis Redding popular. AllMusic author Bruce Eder called him the “inventor.” of the soul genre.

Sam Cooke – $650,000

Bert Berns – $20 million

Greatest Hits: Hang on Sloopy, Twist and Shout, Here Comes the Night

Bert Berns, born in the Bronx, was a very influential producer and songwriter in the 1960s. Popular pieces such as “Twist and South,” “Hang on Sloopy,” and more include his credits. He produced popular Atlantic, Bang, and Shout-signed songs such as “Brown Eyed Girl,” “Under the Boardwalk,” and “Baby Please Don’t Go,” He used to dance in mambo nightclubs when he was young and lived in Havana before the Cuban Revolution brought him back to America. He died of heart complications at 38 years of age.

Bert Berns – $20 Million

Marvin Gaye – $5 million

Greatest Hits: How Sweet It Is, Ain’t That Peculiar, I Heard it Through the Grapevine

Marvin Gaye, nicknamed “Prince of Soul” and “Prince of Motown,” helped form the Motown sound of the 1960s. Before becoming a solo artist, he was the first player in-house. Besides Stevie Wonder, he was one of the first Motown musicians to break away from the record industry and independently make his own music. He was a major influence on the genre neo-soul and quiet storm music. For Midnight Love, Grammy won. In his last appearance on the 1983 NBA All-Star Game, he sang the anthem.

Marvin Gaye – $5 Million

Chrissie Hynde – $12 million

Greatest Hits: Talk of the Town, Back on the Chain Gang

Chrissie Hynde created The Pretenders, her frontwoman since 1978. The hippie counterculture movement influenced her, working in a jointly owned clothing store with designer Vivienne Westwood in London. She left music for fashion. With musicians including UB40, Cher and Frank Sinatra, she released songs. She gave it to Real Records, Dave Hill, after making a demo tape in 1978. She started paying the back rent she owed in her practice room in London, making it all come back and more.

Chrissie Hynde – $12 Million

Lucinda Williams – $15 million

Greatest Hits: Can’t Let Go, Get Right With God

The country singer Lucinda Williams, born in Louisiana, is one of the most prominent folk-rock and country-rock movements. Since 1978, she has been in the music industry and became famous for her style when her debut album, Lucinda Williams, was released. The song ‘Passionate Kisses,’ which won Williams her first Grammy in 1994, was included in this debut. She’s known for constantly working, releasing just two more albums to date.

Lucinda Williams – $15 Million

Harry Nilsson – $7 million

Greatest Hits: Without You, Coconut

As one of the few successful rock artists of his age, Harry Nilsson made history, never playing a major concert or touring, but enjoying significant commercial success. Known for his Great American Songbook style, mixed with Caribbean sounds, he is an artist. As a tenor, he had a three-and-a-half-octave range. He had an enduring impact on Indie rock. He wrote songs for bands such as The Monkees. Nilsson Schmilsson is his most commercially successful album.

Harry Nilsson – $7 Million

Curtis Mayfield – $10 million

Greatest Hits: People Get Ready

Curtis Mayfield was a member of the big band The Impressions of the 1950s and 1960s, renowned for its civil rights activism and songs. Born in Chicago, as part of a gospel choir, he began singing. When he met Jerry Butler, a fellow artist, he joined the Impressions. He wrote songs that, because of their social consciousness, became part of the civil rights movement. His album “People Get Ready,” on Rolling Stone’s Greatest All-Time Songs, was listed as #24. He directed Super Fly as well.

Curtis Mayfield – $10 Million

Max Martin – $260 million

Greatest Hits: Baby One More Time, It’s Gonna Be Me, I Want It That Way

One of our most contemporary authors is Max Martin. Born in Sweden, Britney Spears (“…Baby One More Time”), The Backstreet Boys (“I Want It That Way”), and NSYNC (“It’s Gonna Be Me”) have composed a hit string for them. On the Billboard Charts, he wrote twenty-two number one songs. He’s produced several of these hits as well. He also wrote for Katy Perry, Maroon 5, Weeknd, and Taylor Swift. In the number one singles, he’s written, he’s behind Paul McCartney and George Martin.

Max Martin – $260 Million

Allen Toussaint – $3 million

Greatest Hits: Working in the Coal Mine, Yes We Can Can, Java

Allen Toussaint was one of New Orleans’ most prominent genre rhythm-and-blues figures, born in Gert Town, Louisiana. He began his career in the 1950s as a “backroom figure” for his writing and composition. He wrote songs like “Fortune Teller,” “Working in the Coal Mine,” “Java,” “Mother – in – Law,” and more. “He also made some big hits, including “Lady Marmalade” and “Right Place, Wrong Time.” He learned to play the piano as an elderly neighbor. His dad also played the trumpet and worked on the railway.

Allen Toussaint – $3 Million

Chuck Berry – $10 million

Greatest Hits: Ida Red, You Can Never Tell, Johnny B. Goode

Chuck Berry was dubbed “Father of Rock ‘N Roll.” He refined and re-adapted the rhythm and the blues to form rock and roll, creating a style of solo guitars and performances that became the basis of the genre. Born in St. Louis, he was involved in music at an early age. He started playing with the Johnnie Johnson Trio band, but he had a break when he met singer Muddy Waters. Muddy got him hooked with Chess Records, and Ida Red was his first hit, selling over one million records.

Chuck Berry – $10 Million

Pete Townshend – $105 million

Greatest Hits: Happy Jack, Pictures of Lilly

One of the most common names is Pete Townshend. The legendary co-founder of that band, The Who. His band career lasted more than fifty years, and in the second half of the twentieth century, the band under his leadership became one of the most prominent voices in music. He composed more than a hundred songs for the eleven albums of The Who, including songs for two rock operas, Tommy and Quadrophenia. He also wrote essays, columns, books, etc. He began a promising career as a soloist.

Pete Townshend – $105 Million

George Clinton – $1.8 million

Greatest Hits: Can’t C Me, Loopzilla, You’re Thinkin’ Right

George Clinton, a former Motown songwriter, is known for writing and recording several hit songs for indie Detroit soul labels. He formed The Parliaments, and his own band later renamed Parliament and Funkadelic. In the years after that, Clinton was known for his distinctive psychedelic rock and electro-funk style. 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 – $1.8 Million

Isaac Hayes – $12 million

Greatest Hits: Soul Man

The key force behind Stax Records was Isaac Hayes. He was an in-house session musician for the label before becoming a singer-songwriter. He was born in Tennessee and wrote the song ‘Soul Man,’ which is considered one of the most influential soul songs. He wrote famous songs for movies as well. He composed the film score for Shaft, earning an Oscar for his score. He won the “competitive” Oscar as the third African-American man.

Isaac Hayes – $12 Million

Joe Strummer – $4 million

Greatest Hits: Rock the Casbah

Joe Strummer is one of punk rock’s most influential figures. He founded the band The Clash, which was inducted in 2003 into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The band’s second album on UK charts was #2, and their third and fourth US albums were successful, becoming platinum-certified. Strummer collaborated with bands like The Mescaleros, Pogues, Latino Rockabilly, 101ers, and more. He also had a solo career, wrote TV and film scores, made radio plays, and became a major performer for an activist organization, Rock Against Racism.

Joe Strummer – $4 Million

Patti Smith – $16 million

Greatest Hits: Because the Night

Patti Smith is a songwriter, poet, and singer, and, thanks to her groundbreaking debut album, Horses, she was an influential part of the punk rock movement in New York City in the 1970s. She is known as the laureate of a punk poet, merging poetry and punk rock. With Bruce Springsteen, she wrote the song “Because the Night,” and maybe it’s her most famous hit. She is also a novelist and won the National Book Award for her memoir, entitled Only Kids, in 2010. She is “Greatest Artists.” from Rolling Stone, too.

Patti Smith – $16 Million

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 breaking boundaries in her acting, songwriting, and singing, sometimes creating controversy in her pictures and lyrics. Since 1979, she has been in music. Before turning to music and working as a guitarist for Breakfast Club, she moved to New York City to pursue a dance career. In 1982, she signed a record contract with Sire Records. Her songs include “Like a Virgin,” “Ray of Light,” “Confessions on a Dance Floor,” and more, award-winning. Other artists also reference her as an influence.

Madonna – $590 Million

Fats Domino – $8 million

Greatest Hits: Ain’t That a Shame, Jambalaya, Lady Madonna

One of the genre’s most influential musicians was New Orleans rock-and-roll pioneer Fats Domino. He inspired R&B as well. Between 1955 and 1960, he sold over sixty-five million records and had eleven top ten hits. He was considered modest and camera-shy, so his influence on rock is often overlooked. He hit the top 40 billboard charts with 35 albums. Many of these records are certified platinum or gold. He released the album “The Fat Man” in 1949, the first rock and roll record of selling a million copies.

Fats Domino – $8 Million

Kurt Cobain – $50 million

Greatest Hits: Smells Like Teen Spirit, Sappy

Nirvana’s frontman, considered one of Generation X’s most influential bands, was Kurt Cobain. He is also the lead guitarist for the band. Born in Washington, he and Aaron Burckhard and Krist Novoselic founded the band in 1987. It was part of the Grunge scene in Seattle. Mostly through his second album, which had the single “Smells Like Teen Spirit.” Nirvana signed with DGC and flourished. Cobain resented media coverage, claiming that his message was misconstrued and oversimplified by the mainstream.

Kurt Cobain – $50 Million

Walter Becker – $20 million

Greatest Hits: Bad Sneakers, Do It Again

Steely Dan’s co-songwriter and founder was Walter Becker. He also played guitar and bass for jazz/rock bands. When they were both students at Bard College, he met his co-founder, Donald Fagen. They decided to get Steely Dan started and moved to LA. Becker also moved to Hawaii following the breakup after a successful commercial run and became a record producer and part of the band China Crisis, an English band. Steely Dan was reformed in 1993 by Fagen.

Walter Becker – $20 Million

Tom Waits – $25 million

Greatest Hits: Closing Time, Somewhere

Tom Waits is a singer-songwriter and actor who was born in California. He is renowned for his distinctive, heavy sound and punk lyrics. He specialized in jazz in the 1970s, but he also had blues and vaudeville influences as well. The Beat Generation and Bob Dylan are his inspirations. In San Diego, he began singing and moved to LA to sign an asylum deal. His first albums, which marked his first commercially successful album, included Closing Time, Saturday Night’s Heart, and Small Change.

Tom Waits – $25 Million

Dan Penn – $1 million

Greatest Hits: Cry Like a Baby, The Dark End of the Street

Dan Penn is a songwriter who wrote and recorded several hits in the 1960s, including The Dark End of the Street,” “Cry Like a Baby,” and Do Right Woman.” He collaborated with artists such as The Box Tops, Chips Moman, Spooner Oldham. As he was camera-shy, he preferred songwriting over showmanship. His writing relationship was successful with Chips Moman for Press Publishing Company, although the pair had a fall-out that ended the partnership, described as “short-lived” but “intense.” One of his most successful collaborations to date is his collaboration with Aretha Franklin.

Dan Penn – $1 Million

Stevie Nicks – $75 million

Here we see none other than Fleetwood Mac’s Stevie Nicks! She was the band’s lead singer and wrote so many incredible lyrics. Born in Arizona, Stevie worked with Lindsey Buckingham, her boyfriend at the time. With Fleetwood Mac’s success, the band sold over 40 million copies of their second album! Overall, Stevie has sold over 140 million albums including her solo career.  Additionally, she’s had more than 40 songs make it to the Top 50 charts.

Stevie Nicks – $75 Million

Mick Jagger – $360 million

It’s crazy to think that Mick Jagger has been active in the music industry for over 50 years now. He’s famous for his lively and unique voice. One of the most iconic people in rock music, Mick is a member of the Rolling Stones. Fun fact, he went to the London School of Economics before he became a musician. He wrote a lot of songs for his band in addition to songs he and Keith Richards wrote together. To this day, Mick Jagger is making headlines.

Mick Jagger – $360 Million

Willie Dixon – $2 million

For the most part, you’ll hear the name Willie Dixon along with Muddy Watters. After World War II, both of them became iconic figures in Chicago’s blues scene. Willie players bass and guitar while singing with his unique and beautiful voice. It’s safe to say he was one of the 20th century’s best songwriters. “My Babe, “Hoochie Coochie Man,” and “Spoonful” are only a few of his songs. We aren’t surprised to hear that other musicians have covered his songs.

Willie Dixon – $2 Million

Morrissey – $50 million

Steven Morrissey is someone who’s better known by his last name. Born to a pair of Irish immigrants, he started developing an interest in music as a young boy. He was the lead of The Nosebleeds, but it wasn’t until he was with The Smiths that he gained commercial success. Later on in his career, Morrissey went solo as well and wrote some songs like “Your Arsenal,” “Viva Hate,” and “Kill Uncle”.

Morrissey – $50 Million

Smokey Robinson – $100 million

If it wasn’t for Smokey Robinson, the Miracles wouldn’t have much success in the industry. Smokey was the band’s songwriter and head producer. After retiring, he launched his solo career in 1972. In 1990, he ended up leaving Motown Records and went on to write plenty of music for other musicians. Did you know that his nickname is from his uncle? His older uncle nicknamed him “Smokey Joe” and decided that was his “cowboy name”.

Smokey Robinson – $100 Million

Kenny Gamble – $8.5 million

Born in Philadelphia, Kenny Gamble made a name for himself through his work in the local soul scene. He would record himself on arcade machines as a kid. After a while, he developed a serious interest in music. Later on, he founded a band that was managed by Jerry Ross named Gamble & Huff. In 1967, the Soul Survivors covered their song! Kenny is more famous for songs like “Expressway to Your Heart” and “I’m Gonna Make You Love Me.”

Kenny Gamble – $8.5 Million

Jimmy Webb – $10 million

Jimmy Webb was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1986. Funny enough, the Oklahoma native made it to the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame as well! Throughout his career, Jimmy had several platinum songs such as “All I Know,” “MacArthur Park,” and “Wichita Lineman.” He’s worked with people like Linda Ronstadt and even Garfunkel over the years. In fact, he’s spoken about songwriting and wanting to make music that “crushed lonely hearts.”

Jimmy Webb – $10 Million

Merle Haggard – $40 million

One of the founding fathers of country music is Merle Haggard. It’s true for Bakersfield as well. Merle was born in the Great Depression in California. After his father passed away, he decided to pursue a career in country music. His songs are what made him great. Writing about American patriotism, the working class, and the Vietnam War are all components that allowed him to become famous. He had plenty of chart-topping hits. Some of them even made it to the Billboard charts.

Merle Haggard – $40 Million

Taylor Swift – $360 million

Pennsylvania native, Taylor Swift, has got to be one of the most popular musicians right now. When she began her music career, she was only 15 years old. In order to chase her dreams, she moved to Nashville and got a record deal with Big Machine. In fact, Taylor was the youngest artist to be signed by Sony. In 2006, she released her debut album, and the rest is history! Ever since then, she’s released eight albums and has evolved since she’s started. Her sound has gone through many different transformations, and her popularity has only grown over time.

Taylor Swift – $360 Million

Buddy Holly – $1 million

Have you ever heard of Buddy Holly? We’re sure you have. The singer-songwriter was born during the Great Depression in Texas. Back in the ’50s, he became a known rock ‘n roll figure in America. In the past, he’s dabbled in other genres like Western, R&B, and gospel. After opening for Elvis Presley, Buddy decided to pursue music in a more serious manner. He joined a group with Carl Bunch, Tommy Allsup, and Waylon Jennings called The Crickets.

Buddy Holly – $1 Million

The Bee Gees – $86 million

The Bee Gees were a group made up of three brothers: Robin, Barry, and Maurice Gibb. Back in the 1960s and 1970s, they were at the height of their careers. They were a huge hit among disco fans. They loved changing their sound regularly and switching things up. Born on the Isle of Man, the trio spent their childhoods in Manchester. The Rattlesnakes came to be, but soon they changed their name to the Bee Gees. In 1967, Robert Stigwood joined them.

The Bee Gees – $86 Million

Ray Davies – $12 million

Ray Davies served at The Kinks’ guitarist and songwriter. The English musician was seen at the Britpop godfather. In 1964, his band got a record deal. They spent many years in the spotlight at the height of their success. Just so you know, Ray is the man who wrote “You Really Got Me,” which is seen as a breakthrough hit for the band. Through his success, Ray led the band, unafraid to experiment with their sound. After the band broke up in the late ’90s, Ray launched his own solo career.

Ray Davies – $12 Million

Paul Westerberg – $9 million

Back in the 1980s, Paul Westerberg was a member of The Replacements, an alt-rock band. At the time he joined them, he’d been working as a janitor. He followed the sound of the music when he heard them perform and spoke to them, convincing them to let him in the band. Apparently, the lead singer left after this happened. All the same, the band saw much success with Paul in the lead. He started his own solo career after the band broke up.

Paul Westerberg – $9 Million

Robert Johnson – $500,000 (estate)

Born in 1911 in Mississippi, Robert Johnson was a pioneer of the blues. However, his life wasn’t very documented, unfortunately. All the same, in terms of music, his legacy lives on. He was part of several recording sessions and only produced 29 songs. Sadly, he didn’t live long enough to see his songs succeed. After his death, Don Law released these songs as singles. After their success, other artists began getting inspired by these songs. In fact, Bob Dylan and Keith Richards have both spoken about Robert’s influence on their own music.

Robert Johnson – $500,000 (estate)

Eminem – $210 million

One of the most famous rap artists, Eminem writes his own music. In fact, he launched Shady Records and signed artists like Obie Trice, 50 Cent, Yelawolf. Born Marshall Mathers, Eminem has sold over 230 million albums worldwide. Throughout his immensely successful career, he’s won 15 Grammys, 17 BMAs, and 8 AMAs, to name a few. The rapper had nine records that made it to the top of the Billboard charts. He’s actually the only person to achieve such a thing!

Eminem – $210 Million

John Lennon – $800 million

Without a doubt, John Lennon was an extraordinary artist. Born in Liverpool, he co-founded The Beatles there as well. Before that, in his teens, he made another band named Quarrymen. Throughout his successful career, John wrote plenty of songs for The Beatles. He also had a successful career with hit songs like “Working Class Hero,” “War is Over,” and “Imagine.” He was in Plastic Ono with his wife, Yoko Ono.

John Lennon – $800 Million

R.E.M. – $75 million

R.E.M. was actually one of the first rock bands in the United States. It was made up of Mike Mills, Michael Stipe, Peter Bruck, and Bill Berry. At the time, their incredible guitar solos and revolutionary lyrics changed the music industry as a whole. With an independent label named Hib-Tone, they released their music. At first, their early popularity was thanks to their single, “Radio Free Europe.” It wasn’t until 1987 that they had their first mainstream hit, “The One I Love.”

R.E.M. – $75 Million

Jeff Barry – $1 million

Jeff Barry was born in 1938, in Brooklyn. He was a major key player in the pop-rock scene later on when he became a musician. He made a name for himself by collaborating with Ellie Greenwich. These two went on to become one of the biggest songwriting duos of the 1960s. Jeff wrote many popular songs such as “Chapel of Love,” “River Deep-Mountain High,” and “Do Wah Diddy Diddy.” Keep in mind he also worked on tracks like Sugar Sugar” and “Pack Leader” with Andy Kim and Shadow Morton.

Jeff Barry – $1 Million

Kanye West – $250 million

Kanye West is a worldwide famous rapper who’s sold over 140 million albums. Throughout his career, he’s gone through many transformations. From baroque pop to gospel and even soul, Kanye is not someone who’s afraid to try something new. He’s good friends with Jay-Z as well. The Chicago native began rapping in 1996. Initially, he started out as a writer and producer for Roc-A-Fella Records.

Kanye West – $250 Million

Prince – $300 million

Prince is one person who’s blessed us with his incredible music for four decades. Thanks to his flamboyant performances and amazing music, he became a household name and rose to fame. Known for his elevated falsetto voice, Prince was another artist who was unafraid to experiment with his music. He’s inspired pop, soul, psychedelic rock, punk, and R&B genres throughout the years. When he recorded his debut song, he was only seven years old. Ten years later, he signed a record deal with Warner Bros.

Prince – $300 Million