U2 top music industry money list

U2 were today named the highest-earning band on the planet over the last year.

The Irish legends, who have been staging their groundbreaking '360' tour performing under a giant “claw”, have been rocking all the way to the bank.

They were estimated to have raked in US$130m (€100.44m), according to Forbes.com, including ticket and merchandise sales and a steady-selling back catalogue.

Despite their huge success, Bono’s back injury has disrupted some of the band’s concert plans, including being forced to pull out of playing this year’s Glastonbury Festival.

Heavy metal group AC/DC, folk rocker Bruce Springsteen and 'Material Girl' Madonna – whose songs have been featured on the hit sitcom 'Glee' – also appeared highly in the round-up, showing experience counts.

Newcomer Lady Gaga, who has also been undergoing a massive tour recently, was one of the few members of the younger generation of artists to make the top 10.

Beyonce Knowles beat her hip hop star husband Jay-Z, with the couple coming in third and sixth place respectively.

Despite a turbulent few years, comeback queen Britney Spears was in fifth place, with her earnings put at $64m (€49.45m).

Coldplay came in equal 10th place, thanks to money made while still touring in support of their 2008 album 'Viva La Vida'.

Here are the top earning musicians of 2010 and the amounts they are estimated to have made according to Forbes.com:

1. U2 – $130m (€100.44m)

2. AC/DC – $114m (€88.1m)

3. Beyonce Knowles – $87m (€67.2m)

4. Bruce Springsteen – $70m (€54.1m)

5. Britney Spears – $64 (€49.44m)

6. Jay-Z – $63 (€48.67m)

7. Lady Gaga – $62 (€47.8m)

8. Madonna – $58 (€44.8m)

9. Kenny Chesney – $50 (€38.6m)

= 10. Black Eyed Peas – $48 (€37.1m)

= 10. Coldplay – $48 (€37.1m)