20 highest-earning artists of 2008 in the US

Every year the LA Times busts out a calculator and scans a bunch of data from the likes of Pollstar and Neilsen to work out which pop acts, bands and artists made the most cash. Concert tickets, album and download sales are totted-up to create the 'Ultimate Top 10'. Or 'Ultimate Top 20', as we have here courtesy of Blabbermouth…

1. Madonna ($120.1 million)
2. Celine Dion ($106.8 million)
3. Kenny Chesney ($95.7 million)
4. Eagles ($90.7 million)
5. AC/DC ($82 million)
6. Coldplay ($81.6 million)
7. Bon Jovi ($81.4 million)
8. Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band ($79 million)
9. Jonas Brothers ($77.9 million)
10. Rascal Flatts ($77.1 million)
11. Neil Diamond ($70.5 million)
12. Taylor Swift ($62.2 million)
13. Michael Buble ($59.5 million)
14. Metallica ($56.4 million)
15. Carrie Underwood ($54.9 million)
16. Dave Matthews Band ($51.6 million)
17. The Police ($51 million)
18. Lil Wayne ($50.8 million)
19. Tom Petty ($50.5 million)
20. Kid Rock ($50. 2 million)

Black Ice

With AC/DC's Black Ice hitting number one in 29 countries, it's no real surprise to see the rockers charting so highly. And The Eagles and Celine Dion? Well they do tend to charge rather high performing fees…