U2 top earners' ladder

U2 blew away the competition at the bank, earning a whopping €65.4m to become the biggest-earning music act of 2001.

Bono and the boys led the pack of Rolling Stone magazine’s 50 biggest moneymakers of last year.

There are several ageing rock acts in the Top 10 - the Beatles came in at number three with £32.6 million, Santana at number seven with £22.2 million, and Aerosmith at number nine with £16.5 million.

Madonna, in the charts for 20 years, did nicely herself, holding down the number five position with €43.1m.

Hip-hop also made a strong impression, with rap stars Dr Dre in the number two spot with €55m, and Master P at number six with €38m.

Rolling Stone compiled the list in its new issue by adding up money made from touring, records and publishing rights.

The magazine spoke to industry insiders, managers, agents, lawyers and publicists to estimate the final, net figures - what is left after expenses, fees and record label deductions.

Most of U2’s income came from its Elevation tour of North America and Europe. Part of Dr Dre’s windfall came from selling 30% of his record label.

The Beatles had a huge success with their greatest-hits album, 1, which topped charts around the world.

On the other hand, the Dave Matthews Band had to work for its number four slot - it netted €46m, most of it coming from touring.

In the boy-band competition, *NSYNC, at number eight with €28m, easily beat the Backstreet Boys, who came in at number 26 with €19.3m.

Birmingham-born rocker Ozzy Osbourne barely made the list - he came in at number 48 with €9m - but that should change next year with the runaway success of his MTV show, The Osbournes.