Nirvana frontman dethrones King

KURT Cobain has surpassed Elvis Presley to become the world’s top-earning dead celebrity.

The late Nirvana frontman raked in $50 million (€40m) from beyond the grave over the past year, according to US business website Forbes.com.

It is 12 years since Cobain killed himself at his Seattle home aged 27, but he continues to make money through record sales.

His debut at the top of the list is largely due to his widow Courtney Love selling a 25% stake in his song catalogue last year.

Elvis has held the number one spot for the past four years but between 2005-2006 he made only $42m (€33m).

However, while the list did not calculate the number of Kurt Cobain impersonators in the world, it is highly likely that the King is still way out in front when it comes to tribute acts.

Third in the list is Charles Schulz, creator of the Peanuts cartoon strip.

John Lennon is fourth, followed by new entry Albert Einstein.

Andy Warhol is sixth, ahead of Theodor ‘Dr Seuss’ Geisel and singer Ray Charles.

Marilyn Monroe and country legend Johnny Cash make up the top 10.

Author JRR Tolkien, Beatle George Harrison and reggae star Bob Marley are just outside the top 10.