Feb 12 2009 07:09 PM ET

Madonna was 2008's biggest music earner: Surprised?

Madonna_lTicket prices for Madonna’s last tour might have seemed outrageous, but that didn’t stop her from becoming 2008′s top money-maker in the music biz, according to a new report from Billboard. Her Madgesty raked in $242 million last year, far outpacing runners-up Bon Jovi ($157 mil) and Bruce Springsteen ($156 mil). What’s more, she did it almost exclusively on the back of her tour revenue, since the album she put out last spring sold approximately squat. (Too bad, there were some dope songs on there!) Consider this a reminder before we rush to count her out as an artist past her prime: Madonna is still a very major power player. Maybe President Obama should urge Congress to pass an additional stimulus package that requires Madonna to tour again, ASAP? Just think of all the hot-dog vending and ticket-scalping jobs that could create!

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Comments (11 total) Add your comment
  • ks

    SO OVERRATED!

  • Al

    why would i be surprised, she’s always the biggest earner.

  • Marie

    Considering that Madonna’s average ticket price is around $300 each, versus Bon Jovi’s and Springsteen’s which are around $200, is it really a surprise she made the most?

  • milo

    She’s the only artist out there that’s worth every penny. Oh and Simon, she announced a new leg of the tour weeks ago, where have you been? She may not be touring states side this year but she’s touring again nonetheless.

  • paige

    wow a post on EW about Madonna that isnt bashing her- this feels oh so 5 years ago, and i must say im pleased… oh and her album actually didnt bomb as you think unless $350,000,000 worldwide sounds like crap… whatever, Madonna can have a tour where she’s sitting on a chair reciting the phone book and itll still make money- and ill be there too!

  • paige

    wow she gots some abs!

  • Lil

    Yes, I am surprised. She is old as dirt and sucks.

  • Deacon

    To all those bashing Madonna, I saw her for the first time on this tour because a friend had an extra ticket. She blew me away in concert. She is worth $400 tickets.

  • Ellipsian

    Simon, you’re pimping the new (very good) album with “She’s Not Me”?! Really!??! “Spanish Lesson” and “Incredible” are soooo mad at you, and rightfully so. Really though, “Miles Away” is the best song on the album (yet, like any Madonna song that is not a first single, it was inexplicably overlooked by radio. Shame.)

  • Katharine

    Ellipsian- ‘Spanish Lesson’ and ‘Incredible’ are like the 2 worst songs on the album (& not that bad, but). How about ‘Heartbeat’, ‘Devil Wouldn’t Recognize You’, ‘Voices’? Those are very good songs! Also, no crap Madonna’s the top earning tour- that woman’s the ultimate performer and has been since she began. Dance on, girlie!

  • Jim again

    She should do the Confessions Tour again… that was a MILLION times better than Sticky and Sweet!!!!

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