How Much Does A Songwriter In Hollywood Make? Here Are The Richest Of Them And Their Net Worth

Johnny Cash – $60 million

Greatest Hits: I Walk the Line, Folsom Prison Blues

Johnny Cash, selling more than ninety million records worldwide, is one of the most popular artists. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame of Country Music, as well as the Hall of Fame and Gospel Music Hall of Fame of Rock & Roll. Popular for his songs of rough edges. “Hello, I’m Johnny Cash” was the opening line for him. He will make a quick presentation before each gig, shirking the showboat common in the rock genre (but less so in country music). In Walk, the Line, spread by 20th Century Fox, Cash’s heritage was retrieved.

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 musician, artist, and pianist. In her songs, she combined elements of folk, pop, jazz, and rock and started performing in the streets and small bars. Including frequent activism and protests, she was prominently involved in the Baby Boom counterculture. Among her greatest successes were her “Big Yellow Taxi” tracks, “Woodstock,” and Both Sides, both published by Reprise Records now. Noted for its adaptability as well. At times, she altered her look and sound, becoming music and technological force.

Joni Mitchell

Jerry Garcia – $40 million

Greatest Hits: Truckin’, Sugaree

Throughout his thirty-year career, Jerry Garcia, born in San Francisco, was part of this influential band. He had a number of other bands and other solo records as well. On Rolling Stone’s “100 Greatest Guitarists” ranking, he was 13th. He was the primary songwriter of the Grateful Dead, better recognized for his form of acid music. Truckin ‘, “Truckin’,” He was famed for his improvisation and guitar solos, which suited him well because it eased tension, he said in an interview.

Jerry Garcia

Paul Simon – $75 million

Greatest Hits: Bridge Over Troubled Water

Almost every single, including “Mrs. Robinson,” “Sound of Silence,” and possibly their most successful success, “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” owned by Columbia Records, was composed by Paul Simon. The couple split up in 1970, and Graceland, inspired by South Africa, where he stayed for a while, was written by Simon. Graceland sold 14 million copies upon its publication, and it is his most popular solo work to date. He had success on Broadway, writing musicals. With the poet Derek Walcott, he wrote The Capeman. He had become a screenwriter.

Paul Simon

James Taylor – $60 million

Greatest Hits: Paint It Black, Night Owl

Five Grammys were presented to singer-songwriter James Taylor and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inducted him in 2000. He’s one of the greatest artists ever to sell 100 million records worldwide. “Fire and Rain”Fire and Rain,” He also covered several popular songs including “How Sweet It Is”, “Handy Man,” “Sweet Baby James.”

James Taylor

Carole King – $70 million

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

Carole King was one of the most successful and lucrative female songwriters ever, from 1950-2000. She wrote or co-wrote 118 Billboard Hot 100 tracks. And America alone is that. She published sixty-one songs, making her the most successful female songwriter there too, reaching the UK charts. She has published many records, including Writer and Tapestry, her breakthrough being the latter. For almost four months in America, Tapestry was in the charts and continued on the charts six years after. In 2012, she earned a Hollywood Star.

Carole King

Stevie Wonder – $110 million

Greatest Hits: Superstition

One of the most famous artists ever is Stevland or Stevie Wonder. He also played harmonica, percussion, keyboards, harpejji, and several other instruments besides his singing and writing prowess. He recorded over a hundred million albums and received 25 Grammys and an Academy Award (among many other accolades). He was later inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as well as the Hall of Songwriters. On the Billboard Hot 100, Wonder had some major hits. He signed with Tamia, an 11-year-old Motown label. He was and is) acknowledged being a prodigy.

Stevie Wonder

Billy Joel – $180 million

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

Owing to the popularity of his first album, singer and composer Billy Joel is nicknamed “Piano Man” Since the 1970s, he has been a solo artist in the industry. He’s sold more than 150 million records globally, and one of America’s best-selling albums ever remains his Greatest Hits set. He was born in the Bronx and dropped out of high school to pursue jazz. In 1972, he confiscated Columbia Documents and concluded a deal. Among the 23 awards, he received five Grammys.

Billy Joel

Burt Bacharach – $160 million

Greatest Hits: Arthur’s Theme, Close to You

Burt Bacharach, the songwriter, is one of the 20th century’s most prominent composers. In 1928, he was born in Missouri and began writing in the 1980s. To build songs documented by over 1,000 artists, he collaborated with writer Hal David. He is renowned for his collaboration with Dionne Warwick as a musician, as well as his chord progression and jazz harmony. He often partnered with smaller orchestras, giving their participants special instruments. Contemporary, easy-to-hear, and pop are his types. He plays the keyboard as well and dances.

Burt Bacharach

Randy Newman – $50 million

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

Randy Newman, as well as his signature voice and film scores, is known for his extensive songwriting and arranging. He served mostly as a movie composer, earning twenty Oscars, only winning twice. It’s one of the Oscars with the most nominations. He was inducted into the Songwriters’ Hall of Fame in 2007. For films like Cold Turkey, Meet the Parents, Seabiscuit, and nine separate Pixar films including Toy Tale, Aliens, Inc., and Vehicles, he wrote both animated and live-action songs. Signed up with Warner Bros.

Randy Newman

Dolly Parton – $500 million

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

Dolly Parton, in addition to being a famous musician, has recorded over 3,000 albums. Whitney Houston sang, “I Will Always Love You,” and that song was covered by almost every famous singer. Interviewed regarding her songwriting, she said that when she was only seven years old, she began writing. If it’s a poem, concept, album, or little tidbit, she said she’s attempting to compose something every day. With a strong religious heritage in the Appalachian Mountains, she was inspired by her folk upbringing. She received 35 BMI Awards.

Dolly Parton

Tom Petty – $95 million

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

One of the best-selling musicians ever was guitarist Tom Petty. When he encountered ten-year-old Elvis Presley, he became involved in rock and roll. He was also inspired by his own industrial rock interpretation of The Rolling Stones. He founded the disastrous Mudcrutch band. But the founding of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers turned out to be a game-changer. Petty formed the band in the 1970s and their second album.

Tom Petty

Loretta Lynn – $65 million

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

Founded in Kentucky, Loretta Lynn is one of the most famous and successful country singers in the history of country music. She is renowned for songs such as “You Ain’t Woman Enough Don’t Come Home A’Drinkin,” “Fist City,” “One’s on the Way” etc. After her greatest hits, her biographical film, Coal Miner’s Daughter, was called. She sold over forty-five million records. She had two hundred singles, one single and one single.

Loretta Lynn

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 for fifty years. The Velvet Underground was not financially popular during its tenure together but is still considered one of the most prominent underground alt-rock groups of its time. In 1970, Reed quit the Velvet Underground and issued 20 solo albums. His second and third records sold good, although he had some ups and downs. He was made alive by his later albums, Fresh Sensations, and New York.

Lou Reed

Kris Kristofferson – $160 million

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

Speaking of Kris Kristofferson, he’s a singer-songwriter with a promising career as a comedian. For other musicians, he was a writer and also merged his tracks with the famous writer Shel Silverstein. He was popular, like him, Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash, and Willie Nelson, for his outlaw nation partnerships and the group The Highwaymen. He appeared in movies such as Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, Heaven’s Doors, Blade and A Star is Born. He earned a Golden Globe for the performance of A Star’s Born. Today, he resides in Maui, Hawaii.

Kris Kristofferson

Paul McCartney – $1.2 billion

Greatest Hits: Yesterday

The only name here that would overtake John Lennon in terms of fame is Paul McCartney, although it makes sense that he was a co-founder of the Beatles as well. He had over 2,200 singers covering tracks, particularly with the song Yesterday. He was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame twice, once for his Beatles career and once for his solo career. He won eighteen Grammys, and he and his fellow Beatles members were appointed MOB in 1965. He was also knighted for music services in 1997. It goes without mentioning that McCartne today made these accomplishments

Paul McCartney

Van Morrison – $90 million

Greatest Hits: Gloria, Brown Eyed Girl

Van Morrison, who started his musical career as a youth, is a music icon. He performed with numerous showbands in Ireland and became famous as part of the band Them, a Northern Irish R&B group. He was the lead singer, releasing the song “Gloria” with Them that would characterize the genre. He released the popular single “Brown-Eyed Girl.” in the late 1960s. His first album was Astral Weeks, but sales were in.

Van Morrison

Bob Dylan – $200 million

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

One of the most pop-culture (and counterculture) artists is folk singer Bob Dylan. He composed the Civil Rights anthems The Days They Are A’Changin ” and Blowin ‘In the Sky, launching his eponymous album in the early 1960s, preceded by hit record after hit. He also published several political albums and singles. In his rock music, he was also one of the first to use electrically amplified devices, a change that was controversial then. He sold over 100 million records in 2012 and 2016, respectively, and won the Presidential Medal of Independence and the Nobel Prize.

Bob Dylan

Brian Wilson – $75 million

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

Beach Boys was co-founded by Brian Wilson. Signed in 1962 to Capitol, he composed about twenty-four of the band’s top 40 songs. He’s considered one of the twentieth century’s most innovative songwriters, and others claim he’s a genius. He, with his brothers and cousin, formed the Beach Boys. Wilson now performs occasionally and is still known as the godfather of indie music and punk rock. Though musicians (including the Beatles) learned a ton from his influence, his melodies and orchestrations proved difficult to initiate.

Brian Wilson

John Fogerty – $70 million

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

As a member of Creedence Clearwater Revival, a band he founded along with his brother Tom, Doug Clifford, and Stu Cook, John Fogerty had both a successful solo career and a genius career. He was the main singer, the writer, and several of the songs were written. Unfortunately, in 1972, the band split up and he embarked on a brilliant solo career. Rolling Stone listed him as #40 and #72 among the 100 Finest Guitarists and Greatest Singers of all time (respectively). Like “Proud Mary,” which Tina Turner brings back into a popular bop tune, he has penned several hits.

John Fogerty

Willie Nelson – $25 million

Greatest Hits: Family Bible, On the Road Again

Born in Texas, the songwriter, musician, and actor Willie Nelson received his first break when he launched Shotgun Willie. That, plus his Red Headed Stranger and Stardust records, made him an enduring character of the 1970s. He has also appeared in thirty films, published several novels, and worked as a drug prohibition activist and biofuel use activist. The IRS Tapes, a double-album whose profits went to the IRS to pay off its unpaid tax debt, is also remembered for its publication.

Willie Nelson

Elton John – $500 million

Greatest Hits: Rocket Man, Crocodile Rock

To date, music star Elton John has released more than three hundred million records and has 58 Billboard singles in the top 40. In the past of the United Kingdom and the United States, his album, “Candle in the Wind,” which he penned to remember Princess Diana after her tragic death, remains the best-selling hit. He received five Grammys and numerous other accolades, keeping him in vital popularity behind only The Beatles and Madonna. He is also an exceptional LGBTQ activist, earning more than $300 million for LGBTQ people.

Elton John

David Bowie – $100 million

Greatest Hits: Changes, Space Oddity, Modern Love

About 140 million records were recorded by David Bowie worldwide, winning ten Platinum certifications for his several hit tracks. He was renowned for graphic presentation and the reinvention of a clear theme. Ziggy Stardust, an androgynous, bold music legend, is his alter ego. When he was really young, Bowie, born in South London, started learning art and music. In 1983, he began his music career, launching Space Oddity. Before his premature death at sixty-two, he married the supermodel Iman. He’s also an influential punk and glam rock star.

David Bowie

Glenn Frey – $200 million

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

Glenn Frey is the lead singer of The Eagles (and their guitarist as well). A variety of the best-known singles he produced, including “Tequila Sunrise,” “Lyin’ Eyes,” “Take It Easy,” “New Kid in Town,” and more. He went solo afterward, as the Eagles split up in 1980. No Fun Aloud was his introduction. He had several songs, including “Blues Smuggler,” “The Heat Is On,” “Sexy Girl” and more, cracking the top 40s. In New York City, he died at 67.

Glenn Frey

John Prine – $6 million

Greatest Hits: Sam Stone, Illegal Smile, Dear Abby

John Prine is a songwriter and singer with popular careers since the 1970s. At the age of fourteen, he learnt to play guitar, taking classes at Folk’s Old Town School in Chicago. He took a break from music after eighteen and worked in West Germany as part of the Army. He went back to Chicago, where he served as a guy before the singer Kris Kristofferson heard him and helped him release his first Atlantic record. He’s renowned for his sarcastic songs about public affairs and life in general.

John Prine

Bono – $700 million

Greatest Hits: Sunday, Bloody Sunday

Born in Dublin, one of the most famous musicians is Bono. He’s the manager of U2, and he authors almost all U2’s albums. He won 22 Grammys for the band. He spoke at length about his style of songwriting. He incorporates social and political issues in his music, and his songs are also inspired by his childhood at a religious school. In his earlier albums, he had a rebellious voice, but as he said, he “matured” and began writing about more intimate encounters he shared with U2 members. Ali Stewart, the musician, is married.

Bono

George Harrison – $400 million

Greatest Hits: Taxman, Here Comes the Sun

The Beatles’ lead guitarist was George Harrison, and he was dubbed “the Quiet Beatle” though he was not one of their more prominent participants (as opposed to McCartney or Lennon). (as compared to Lennon or McCartney). He wrote several of the songs of the band, like Here Comes the Light, Taxman, Whatever, etc. George Formby, Carl Perkins, Chuck Berry, Django Reinhardt are his musical influences. He was also influenced by Indian culture and music, extending pop music to the band’s work to integrate Indian instruments and Hindu spirituality. Born in Liverpool, he died in 2001 in LA.

George Harrison

Sam Cooke – $650,000

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

A resident, singer, and business owner, Sam Cooke was also an influential songwriter. He was dubbed the “King of Soul” by his pop music influence and famous voice. He began performing when he was young, leading The Soul Stirrers before his later solo career. He helped Aretha Franklin, Al Green, Curtis Mayfield, Bobby Womack, Billy Preston, Marvin Gaye, and several more.

Sam Cooke

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 (also by Bert Russell and Russell Byrd). Famous parts such as “Twist and South,” “Hang on Sloopy” and more contain his credits. He created successful Atlantic, Boom, and Shout-signed songs such as “Brown Eyed Girl,” “Under the Boardwalk” and “Baby Please Don’t Go,” He used to party in mambo nightclubs when he was young and stayed in Havana until the Cuban Revolution took him back to America. He died of cardiac complications at 38 years of age.

Bert Berns

Marvin Gaye – $5 million

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

Marvin Gaye, dubbed “Prince of Soul” and “Prince of Motown,” helped shape the Motown sound of the 1960s. Before becoming a solo artist, he was the first in-house session musician. He was one of the first Motown artists, in addition to Stevie Wonder, to break free from the album business and independently produce his own records. He was a significant influence on the neo-soul sound and quiet storm pop. For Midnight Devotion, he won a Grammy. The song was sang at his only TV performance at the 1983 NBA All-Star Game. He was still on Soul Train.

Marvin Gaye

Chrissie Hynde – $12 million

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

The Pretenders, her frontwoman since 1978, was created by Chrissie Hynde. The hippie counterculture movement inspired her, working in a jointly run clothes store with designer Vivienne Westwood in London. She abandoned music for clothes. With musicians like UB40, Cher and Frank Sinatra, she published albums. She offered it to the owner of Real Music, Dave Hill, after producing a demo tape in 1978. She started paying the back rent she owes in her practice space in London, having it all fall back, and more.

Chrissie Hynde

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 influential members of the folk-rock and country-rock trends. Since 1978, she has been in the music business and became popular 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 release. She’s notorious for continuously performing, producing only two more albums to date. Her big break came as she missed the gold-certified Gravel Route to Car Wheels.

Lucinda Williams

Harry Nilsson – $7 million

Greatest Hits: Without You, Coconut

As one of the few popular rock stars of his generation, Harry Nilsson made history, never performing a major concert or traveling, yet still achieving substantial commercial success. Popular for his Great American Songbook form, blended with Caribbean sounds, he is a musician. As a tenor, he had a three-and-a-half-octave range. He has an enduring effect on Indie music. He composed music for bands such as The Monkees. Nilsson Schmilsson is his most critically popular release. He was also a Hollywood Vampires drinking party founder and a childhood buddy of John Lennon’s.

Harry Nilsson

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, famous for its civil rights movement and music. Born in Chicago, as part of a gospel group, he began performing. As he encountered Jerry Butler, a fellow musician, he joined the Impressions. He wrote songs which, because of their social conscience, became part of the civil rights movement. His album “People Get Ready,” on Rolling Stone’s Greatest All-Time Tracks, was classified as #24. He also directed 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 contemporary writers is Max Martin. Born in Sweden, Britney Spears (“…Baby One More Time”), The Backstreet Boys (“I Want It That Way”), and NYSNC (“It’s Gonna Be Me”) also written a hit string for them. On the Billboard Charts, he wrote twenty-two number one albums. He’s produced some of these songs as well. He also wrote for Katy Perry, Maroon 5, Weeknd, and Taylor Swift. In the number one songs he’s written, he’s behind 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 one of New Orleans’ most influential rhythm-and-blues genre figures, born in Gert Area, Louisiana. In the 1950s, he started his career and was defined as a “backroom figure” for his writing and composition. Songs such as “Fortune Teller,” “Working in the Coal Mine,” “Java,” “Mother – in – Law” and more were composed by him. “He also created several major hits, including “Lady Marmalade” and “Right Spot, Wrong Time.” As an elderly neighbor’s child, he learned to play the piano. His dad played the trumpet as well and served on the railway.

Allen Toussaint

Chuck Berry – $10 million

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

“Father of Rock ‘N Roll.”Father of Rock’N Roll. He was born in St. Louis, and at an early age was interested in music. He started performing with the Johnnie Johnson Trio, but he got his break when he encountered the singer Muddy Waters. Muddy had him hooked on Chess Music, and Ida Red was his first success, selling more than a million records.

Chuck Berry

Pete Townshend – $105 million

Greatest Hits: Happy Jack, Pictures of Lilly

One of the most popular names is Pete Townshend. The iconic co-founder of the 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 influential voices in rock. He wrote more than a hundred songs for the eleven albums of The Who, including songs for two rock operas, Tommy and Quadrophenia. He also published articles, columns, novels, etc. He started a fruitful career as a soloist. He’s a legendary musician. That doesn’t hurt.

Pete Townshend

George Clinton – $1.8 million

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

George Clinton, a longtime Motown songwriter, is renowned for composing and releasing many hit singles for independent Detroit soul labels. He founded The Parliaments, his own team, later renamed Parliament and Funkadelic. In the years after that, Clinton was recognized for his distinctive acid rock and electro-funk sound. He also sang, “Can’t C Me.” for artists like Ice Cube, Outkast, Redman, Wu-Tang Clan, and more. He influenced rap music, writing Tupac’s song “Bop Gun” C Kunspyruhzy, his own label.

George Clinton

Isaac Hayes – $12 million

Greatest Hits: Soul Man

The main influence behind Stax Records was Isaac Hayes. He was an in-house studio guitarist for the label before becoming a singer-songwriter. He was born in Tennessee and recorded the song ‘Soul Man,’ which is known to be one of the most popular soul songs. He wrote popular songs for movies as well. He wrote the film score for Shaft, winning an Oscar for his score. He earned the “competitive” Oscar as the third African-American kid. He was named a BMI Symbol in 2003, receiving ten prizes.

Isaac Hayes

Joe Strummer – $4 million

Greatest Hits: Rock the Casbah

Joe Strummer is one of punk rock’s most influential personalities. He formed the band The Clash, which was inducted in 2003 into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The second album of the band on the UK charts was #2 and their third and fourth albums in the US were popular, being platinum-certified. With bands such as The Mescaleros, Pgues, Latino Rockabilly, 101ers, and more, Strummer even collaborated. He also had a solo career, composed scores for television and film, made radio plays and became the main actor for an advocacy group, Rock Against Racism.

Joe Strummer

Patti Smith – $16 million

Greatest Hits: Because the Night

Patti Smith is a songwriter, author, and musician, and, due to her seminal debut record, Horses, she was an integral member of the punk rock scene in New York City in the 1970s. She is regarded as the laureate of a protest poem, merging art and punk rock together. With Bruce Springsteen, she wrote the song “Because the Night” and maybe it’s her most popular single. She is also a writer and received the National Book Award for her memoir, entitled Just Men, in 2010. She is “Greatest Artists.” from Rolling Stone, too.

Patti Smith

Madonna – $590 million

Greatest Hits: Like a Virgin, Like a Prayer, Vogue, Hung Up

Madonna is regarded as the Queen of Pop, and she is recognized for smashing barriers with her performing, songwriting, and recording, even causing an uproar with her pictures and lyrics. She has been in music since 1979. Before transitioning to music and performing as a musician for Breakfast Party, she traveled to New York City to pursue a dance career. In 1982, she signed a record deal with Sire Labels. Her songs inc.

Madonna

Fats Domino – $8 million

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

One of the genre’s most popular artists was New Orleans rock-and-roll pioneer Fats Domino. He influenced R&B as well. Around 1955 and 1960, he sold over sixty-five million albums and recorded eleven top ten singles. He was deemed humble and camera-shy, but his impact on rock is sometimes missed. He had thirty-five songs reach the top 40 billboard charts. Many of these records are certified platinum or gold. “The Fat Man”The Fat Guy.

Fats Domino

Kurt Cobain – $50 million

Greatest Hits: Smells Like Teen Spirit, Sappy

Nirvana’s singer, deemed one of Generation X’s most successful bands, was Kurt Cobain. He is also the lead guitarist for the project. Established in Washington, he, along with Aaron Burckhard and Krist Novoselic, formed the band in 1987. It was part of the Grunge Movement in Seattle. Especially from his second release, which included the song “Smells Like Teen Spirit.” Nirvana signed with DGC and flourished. Cobain resented media attention, arguing that his meaning was misconstrued and oversimplified by the press. He married Courtney Lust, a rocker.

Kurt Cobain

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 with jazz/rock bands. When they were both students at Bard College, he encountered his co-founder, Donald Fagen. They wanted to get Steely Dan underway and traveled to LA. Becker then traveled to Hawaii after the dissolution after a good commercial period and became a record maker and member of the band China Crisis, an English band. Steely Dan was reformed in 1993 by Fagen.

Walter Becker

Tom Waits – $25 million

Greatest Hits: Closing Time, Somewhere

Tom Waits is a singer-songwriter and actress who was born in California. He is famed for his unique, heavy voice, and punk lyrics. He concentrated in jazz in the 1970s, but he also had blues and vaudeville roots as well. The Beat Generation and Bob Dylan became his inspirations. In San Diego, he started singing and relocated to LA to negotiate an asylum contract. His first songs, which represented his first commercially popular release, included Closing Time, Saturday Night’s Heart, and Minor Change. Waits wrote for Francis Ford Coppola’s One the Heart Score.

Tom Waits

Dan Penn – $1 million

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

He worked with artists such as The Box Tops, Chips Moman, Oldham Spooner. As he was camera-shy, he favored songwriting to showmanship. His writing relationship was successful with Chips Moman for Press Publishing Business, but the pair had a fall-out that ended the partnership, which was characterized as “short-lived” but “intense.” One of his most successful to date is his work with Aretha Franklin.

Dan Penn

Stevie Nicks- $75 Million

Greatest Hits: Landslide
Stevie Nicks is one of the richest songwriters of all time. With a net worth of $75 million, the Fleetwood Mac’s leader singer and solo artist, is one of the most successful artists of all times. She sold over 140 million albums and wrote one hit after the other. Up to this day, Stevie Nicks is a real music legend and doesn’t even think about stopping to work.

Stevie Nicks- $75 Million

Mick Jagger- $360 million

Greatest Hits: Midnight Rambler, Honky Tonk Women
Mick Jagger is a name everyone knows. The Rolling Stones founder, is a real music legend. Mick Jagger is not only a musician but also holds a Bachelors Degree in Economics, from the “London School Of Economics”. He and his music partner Keith Richards, had a huge influence in the Rock’n’Roll industry and were an inspiration for many people. With their deep lyrics and great tunes they sold over millions of albums. Mick Jaggers net worth is around $360 million high.

Mick Jagger- $360 million

Willie Dixon- $2 Million

Greatest Hits: Hoochie Coochie Man, My Babe
Willie Dixon was born in Mississippi and is one of the most legendary American blues musicians. The songwriter was also a producer, a vocalist, a bass and a guitar player. Willie Dixon was famous for his special blues style and the way he played the bass and the guitar. Besides hits like “Hoochie Coochie Man” and “My Baby”, he also received famous awards like Grammys and Co. Famous artists like The Doors and more covered his legendary songs.

Willie Dixon- $2 Million

Morrissey- $50 million

Greatest Hits: Shoplifters of the World Unite, Sheila Take a Bow
The English singer, author and songwriter is also one of the most successful singers in history. He got famous through his band “The Smiths”, who released songs such as “There Is A Light That Never Goes” or “How Soon Is Now?”. Before his time at the band “The Smiths”, he was part of bands such as “Nosebleeds” or “Slaughter & the Dogs”. The singer is really famous in the music genre of indie pop and alternative indie. The famous singer has a net worth of around $50 million.

Morrissey- $50 million

Smokey Robinson – $100 million

Greatest Hits: Tracks of My Tears, Going to a Go-Go
Smokey Robinso is an American singer and songwriter,as well as record producer, and record executive. The Michigan born musician, was not only the frontman of the musical group “Miracles” but also their founder. With songs like “Cruisin”, “Just To See Her” or “Being With You” they got successful really fast and were seen as one of the most talented musical group of all times. Smokey Robins is 81 years old now and not much on stage anymore. With a net worth of around $100 million he deserves a break!

Smokey Robinson – $100 million

Kenny Gammble – $8.5 million

Greatest Hits: I’m Gonna Make You Love Me
The American songwriter, producer and singer. The in Philadelphia born musician made music since his childhood and is most famous for his band “The Romeos” who started in the music industry during the 1960s. He and his band are especially famous for songs such as “Chains Of Love” or “Don’t Stop Loving Me”. With 77 years, the famous musician has a net worth of around $8.5 million.

Kenny Gammble – $8.5 million

Jimmy Webb – $10 million

Greatest Hits: Wichita Lineman, MacArthur Park
Born in Oklahoma, Jimmy Webb became one of the most famous and successful musicians and songwriters of all times.He is famous for his songs such as “All I Know,”or “MacArthur Park and was even inducted into the Hall of fame in the 80s. He was an inspiration for many other artists as well and even wrote his own memoirs, which were published in 2017. Through hard work and his talent, Jimmy Webb owns a net worth of around $10 million.

Jimmy Webb – $10 million

Merle Haggard – $40 million

Greatest Hits: Okie from Muskogee, The Fightin’ Side of Me
Merle Haggrad is not only a songwriter, singer and guitarist but a wonderful fiddler as well. The famous singer that is known as a real country legend, was born in California during the hard times of the great depression. With songs like “Pancho & Lefty”, “Mama Tried” or “If I Could Only Fly”, he not only influenced the music industry but made himself a huge name. Unfortunately the famous singer already died in 2016. We are sure his music and he will never be forgotten.

Merle Haggard – $40 million

Taylor Swift- $360 million

Greatest Hits: Shake It Off, I Knew You Were Trouble
Everyone knows the name Taylor Swift. The pop-country singer is one of the most influential and famous singers and music producers of our time. She already knew early on, that she wants to step foot in the music industry and therefore moved at the young age of 14 to Nashville, where she started to pursue her music career. It didn’t take long, until she was singed by Sony. She is known to write one hit after the other, such as “Love Story”, “Shake It Off” and much more. Her net worth is around $360 million high.

Taylor Swift- $360 million

Buddy Holly – $1 million

Greatest Hits: That’ll Be the Day, Peggy Sue
Buddy Holly is known as one of the most legendary music figures that influenced the American rock’n roll scene in the 50s. He was always on the road and released famous albums such as “That’ll Be The Day” or “Buddy Holly”.

Buddy Holly – $1 million

The Be Gees-$86 million

Greatest Hits: Stayin’ Alive, How Deep Is Your Love
The Bee Gees are one of the most famous bands of all time and are consisting of the three brothers Robin, Maurice and Barry Gibb. The band that is most famous for songs such as “Stayin’Alive” or “How Deep Is Your Love”. Their music was especially during the 70s and 80s very popular and managed to sell over 220 million records. Simply unbelievable. Today the three brothers have a shared net worth of around $86 million.

The Be Gees-$86 million

Ray Davies – $12 million

The British musician Ray Davis, started his career as the guitarist of the band “The Kinks”. He is a real legend, and seen as one of the biggest influences in British pop music, as we know it today. No matter if as part of “The Kinks” or as a solo artist, Ray Davis knows exctly what the crowd wants to hear. He wrote one hit after the other, including songs such as “You reallz got me” or “Something Better Begining”.

Ray Davies – $12 million

Paul Westerberg – $9 million

Greatest Hits: Backlash, Dyslexic Heart
The story of the musician Paul Westerberg is a very interesting one. The american that worked as a janitor back in the days, was heard playing music by the famous band “The Replacements” and was shortly after already part of them. Especially during the 80s the band was very popular and sold milliones of albums. Their most famous songs are including songs such as “Backlash” or “Dyxslexic Heart”. Paul Westerberg was also a very successful solo artist.

Paul Westerberg – $9 million

Robert Johnson- $500,000

Greatest Hits: Terraplane Blues, Come On In My Kitchen
Robert Johnson was a blues musician, that just became famous after his death. After his death, the famous music producer Don Law released many of the 29 songs the blues legend recorder, which became very popular in no time! The musician was especially known and respected for his great and unique guitar style, which was later used by popular musicians such as Bob Dylan. Some of his most famous songs were “Terraplane Blues” or “Come in my kitchen”. Still after all these years, the blues musician that was unknown during his times, made a lasting impact on the music industry.

Robert Johnson- $500,000

Eminem -$210 millionen

Marshall Mathers, that is known under his stage name Eminem, is one of the most famous rappers of all time. With songs like “Superman”, “Not Afraid” or “The Real Slim Shady”, he won multiple Grammys, BMAS and even Oscars. Eminem is known for his extreme lyrics and his fast rap style. He is not only a great raper but also opened his own record label that also signed artists, such as 50 Cent, Obie Trice and more. Eminem that sold over 230 million albums, ;has a net worth of around $210 million.

Eminem -$210 millionen

John Lennon -$800 million

Greatest Hits: Working Class Hero, Imagine
John Lennon is a real music legend and was one of the co-founders of the most famous boy band of all times, “The Beatles”. After the legendary band split up, the iconic musician had a very successful solo career and released songs such as “Imagine”, “War is over” or “Working Class Hero”. Unfortunately the legendary musician was assassinated in December, 1980. Until this day his songs and his music style influenced the music industry.During his carrer he made a whopping of $800 million.

John Lennon -$800 million

R.E.M. – $75 Million

R.E.M. was one of the most popular and successful American rock bands of all times and formed in Georgia, by drummer and musician Bill Berry. Bill Berry formed the band with other musicians such as Michael Stipe, Peter Buck and Mike Mills, who all meet each other at the University of Georgia. One of the most famous songs is “Losing My Religion” that was holding its place in the charts for a long long time. Up to this day, the band still performs in front of a big crowd. Over all these years, the bands net worth got up to $75 million.

R.E.M. – $75 Million

Jeff Barry- $1 Million

Greatest Hits: Do Wah Diddy Diddy, Be My Baby
Jeff Barry, who was born 1938 in Brooklyn, New York, is a real musical icon! He was one of the most famous singers, songwriters and producers of his time. Some of his most famous songs are “Do Wah Diddy Diddy” or “Da Do Ron Ron”.He was signed under labels such as RCA, Bell or United Artists. Other songs that he wrote were “Sugar Sugar” or “River Depp-Mountain High”. After years of work, the legendary musician enjoys his freedom now with an estimated net worth of $1 Million.

Jeff Barry- $1 Million

Kanye West – $250 Million

Greatest Hits: Monster, Graduation, Through the Wire, Slow Jamz
Kanye West is one of the most popular and successful singer, raper and songwriter of today! His music style and his beats just bring the crowd to dance and sing with him. He is known to be very assure of himself, but with this musical talent he has every right to be! Some of his most famous songs are “Gold Digger”, “Runway” or “Monster”. Besides his musical career he is also a famous designer and known for his label Yeezy. His networth is around $250 million high.

Kanye West – $250 Million

Prince, $300 Million

Greatest Hits: Kiss, When Doves Cry, Nothing Compares 2 U
For many years, the famous musician Prince made people dance, feel joy and love life through his music. The musician that was born as Prince Rogers Nelson, was not only a singer and multi-instrument player, but was also an actor, a dancer and a director. He might only have been 1,6 m tall, but he was one of the biggest musicians in the industry. His music style had many different facetted and he sold over millions of albums over the years. Some of his greatest hits were songs like “Kiss”, “When Doves Cry” or “Nothing Compares To You”. Unfortunately the famous singer died in 2016, however he will always be a legend in the music industry!

Prince, $300 Million