The 10 Richest Bassists In The World

It’s well known that lead singers and guitarists in bands get all the attention, and glory, while bassists are often the punch line of a joke.

But the people laughing right now are these 10 bassists, who each made serious dose for their efforts and whose bank account would make most musicians blush.

Last year we took a look at the million dollar fortunes of the highest paid Aussie musicians, the world’s best paid DJs, and the rappers that actually have the bank balances they brag about in their rhymes

[include_post id=”357135″]

Now The Richest (via Consequence Of Sound) has published a list of who they claim to be the richest 10 bassists in music, and the list is a veritable musical hit factory with some of the greatest and most well loved musicians of all time.

Topping the list is of course, Paul McCartney, probably the most famous bassist of all time from probably the most famous band of all time, The Beatles, worth an eye watering $1.2 billion. McCartney’s worth is so immense; it’s a whole $900 million ahead of the second richest bassist, an honour shared by The Police’s Sting, and KISS’ Gene Simmons.

It remains to be seen what effect, if any, Simmons recent tirade will have on his bank account after telling depression sufferers “fuck you! kill yourself” following the tragic passing of Robin Williams, leading to a boycott by Aussie rock station Triple M.

Roger Waters of Pink Floyd fame made it to No. 4, earning an estimated US$44 million just last year, while U2’s Adam Clayton, Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Flea, Led Zeppelin’s John Paul Jones, Black Sabbath’s Geezer Butler, No Doubt’s Tony Kanal, and Nirvana’s Krist Novoselic round out the rest of the list.

Probably most surprising is just how low John Paul Jones is on that list at No. 7 with an estimated fortune of $80 million, surprising given the band’s place in rock history and their record companies proclivity to constant reissues ad nauseam.

Still, excluding Paul McCartney’s impressive showing, these bassists fortunes are usually dwarfed by their singing counterparts. Led Zeppelin frontman Robert Plant easily surpasses John Paul Jones’ $80 million, with an estimated worth of $120 million.

[include_post id=”199985″]

While, Dave Grohl’s switch from the drum stool to frontman has seen him rake in $225 million, well ahead of Krist Novoselic’s $40 million.

Check out the full list below.

01. Paul McCartney – $1.2 billion
02. Sting – $300 million
02. Gene Simmons (KISS) – $300 million
04. Roger Waters – $270 million
05. Adam Clayton (U2) – $150 million
06. Flea (RHCP) – $115 million
07. John Paul Jones (Led Zeppelin) – $80 million
08. Geezer Butler (Black Sabbath) – $65 million
09. Tony Kanal (No Doubt) – $45 million
10. Krist Novoselic (Nirvana) – $40 million

Get unlimited access to the coverage that shapes our culture.

Subscribe to Rolling Stone magazine

Subscribe to Rolling Stone magazine