Imagine listening to your favorite rock music, minus the drums. Hard to imagine? Drummers have undeniable importance in any rock band. A drummer may not be in the spotlight like other band roles, but he is no less than a backbone for the band. Having said that means many drummers across the globe gained commercial recognition for their excellent beats and playing skills.
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Richest Drummers List (2023)
Most of these famous drum players are associated with globally successful rock bands. Their long-reigning commercially successful drumming careers blessed them with riches over the decades. So, for today, we are having a look at the top ten richest and highest-paid drummers in the world.
| Drummer | Band | Net Worth |
|---|---|---|
| Travis Barker | Blink-182 | $50 million |
| Chad Smith | Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Chickenfoot, Chad Smith’s Bombastic Meatbats | $90 Million |
| Joey Kramer | Aerosmith | $100 Million |
| Roger Taylor | Queen, Smile, Queen + Adam Lambert, The Cross, Queen + Paul Rodgers, Felix & Arty, Band Aid 30 | $200 Million |
| Don Henley | Eagles, Bee Gees | $250 Million |
| Charlie Watts | The Rolling Stones, The ABC&D of Boogie Woogie, Alexis Korner’s Blues Incorporated, Rocket 88 | $250 Million |
| Phil Collins | Genesis, Brand X, Band Aid, Flaming Youth, The Phil Collins Big Band | $300 Million |
| Dave Grohl | Nirvana, Foo Fighters, Queens of the Stone Age, Them Crooked Vultures, Killing Joke, Scream, Dain Bramage, Sound City Players, Teenage Time Killers, Mondo Generator, Probot, Juliette and the Licks, Earthlings | $320 Million |
| Larry Mullen Jr. | U2, Passengers, Automatic Baby | $350 Million |
| Lars Ulrich | Metallica | $350 Million |
| Ringo Starr | The Beatles, Rory Storm and the Hurricanes, Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band, Plastic Ono Band | $350 Million |
#11 Travis Barker
Travis Barker Net Worth
- Associated Band: Blink-182
- Travis’s Net Worth: $50 million
Travis Barker earned his reputation as a musician and reality Tv performer when he first started with the popular pop-punk band Blink 182 but has since collaborated with various other famous artists. In addition to that, he founded the rock bands “+44” and “Box Car Race”. Apart from that, he has performed alongside Goldfinger, Antemasque, and rap/rock group “Transplants”. His expertise in drumming is like no other, which has allowed him to remain relevant throughout all these years.
Travis Barker’s net worth is around $50 million as of 2023 making him number 11 on our list of highest paid drummers. His net worth and reputation earned him the extremely well-deserved position of 11th amongst the world of richest drummers.
#10. Chad Smith
- Associated Band/Act: Red Hot Chili Peppers
- Chad’s Net Worth: $90 Million
Chad Smith is the drummer of the mega-popular band, Red Hot Chili Peppers. He has gathered global recognition for his astonishing drumming technique. Apart from his prominent role in Red Hot Chili Peppers, he is also the drummer of the hard rock group Chickenfoot. In 2012, Red Hot Chili Peppers made it into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and Smith has an undeniable importance in the band’s commercial success.
Chad Smith’s net worth is $90 Million as of 2023 making him number 10 on our list of wealthiest drummers in the world. He is known as one of the most popular and versatile rock band drummers. Spin magazine placed Smith at number 10 on their list of “100 Greatest Drummers of Alternative Music”.
See Also: 35 Most Famous TikTokers Celebrities Accounts (2023 List)#9. Joey Kramer
- Associated Band/Act: Aerosmith
- Joey’s Net Worth: $100 Million
Joey Kramer needs no introduction among Aerosmith fans. His name is widely known as the drummer for the hard rock band Aerosmith. Kramer is also credited for naming the band ‘Aerosmith’. His heart-throbbing connection with the drums has gained commercial recognition for Aerosmith as well as himself. In addition to playing the drums, Kramer owns the credit for creating some of the most commercially successful songs for the band.
Joey Kramer’s net worth is $100 Million as of 2023. He and the band (Aerosmith) are still together and open to creating more albums. His famous Aerosmith songs include “The Hand That Feeds”, “Kings and Queens”, “Pandora’s Box”, and “Closer”.
#8. Roger Taylor
- Associated Band/Act: Queen
- Roger’s Net Worth: $200 Million
Roger Taylor is well-known as the drummer for the rock band Queen. He is distinguished for creating unique sounds and beats. In a poll conducted by Planet Rock (2005), Taylor was voted as the eighth-greatest drummer in classic rock music history by radio listeners. His association with Queen as a drummer started back in the band’s early days, and he continues to remain a part of the group.
Roger Taylor’s net worth as of 2023 is $200 Million, making him the 8th richest drummer as of 2023. Queen is still active with Adam Lambert as the vocalist, Brian May on guitars, and Roger Taylor on the drums.
#7. Don Henley
- Associated Band/Act: Eagles
- Don’s Net Worth: $250 Million
Don Henley is a globally acknowledged drummer, singer, songwriter, and record producer. He is famous as the co-lead vocalist and drummer for the Eagles. Henley is now the only remaining founding member of this band. His commercially successful career as a versatile musician explains his net worth of $250 Million. Henley’s legacy remains in the spotlight even after decades since the band broke up.
Don Henley’s net worth stands at approximately $250 Million as of 2023, making him take the 7th spot among the wealthiest drummers in the world. His famous songs from Eagles include “Witchy Woman”. “Desperado”, and “Best of My Love”.
#6. Charlie Watts
- Associated Band/Act: Rolling Stones
- Charlie’s Net Worth: $250 Million
Charles Robert Watts was a renowned English musician who earned international fame as the exceptional Rolling Stones drummer. He performed well in the band from 1963 until he died in 2021. Well, it is a must to mention that he was trained initially as a graphic artist who developed an interest in jazz and joined the band Blues Incorporated. Charlie’s incredible playing technique has majorly contributed to the band’s success over the decades. Rolling Stones continues to retain its legacy in the history of rock and roll music.
Charlie Watts’ net worth is $250 Million as of 2023. For his contributions to rock and roll music, he was included as number 12th on Rolling Stones’ list of 100 greatest drummers of all time.
#5. Phil Collins
- Associated Band/Act: Genesis
- Phil’s Net Worth: $350 Million
Phil Collins is known as a multi-talented artist and the drummer for the rock band Genesis. Collins is involved with multiple artistic roles and gained recognition for what he does. He sings, writes songs, acts, and he is also an established record producer. His drumming skills have put him in the spotlight for years, making him one of the wealthiest drummers globally. Collins is fond of playing Gretsch drums.
See Also: 10 Celebrities Before and After Success Stories To Get Inspiration FromPhil Collins’ net worth is $350 Million as of 2023. He has made a comfortable spot on the 5th position among the richest drummers.
#4. Dave Grohl
- Associated Band/Act: Nirvana, Foo Fighters
- Dave’s Net Worth: $330 Million
Dave Grohl is a multi-talented musician who is known as the drummer for Nirvana and the founder of Foo Fighters. Grohl’s association with Nirvana ended after the tragic death of Kurt Cobain. It was only then that Grohl moved on to form his band for which he took controls on guitars. For his exceptional drumming capabilities, Dave Grohl got inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame along with his Nirvana bandmate, Kurt Cobain.
Dave Grohl’s net worth stands approximately around $330 Million as of 2023, making him take the 4th spot among the richest drummers in the world. Foo Fighters has gained global success over the years and released their ninth album in 2017.
Her daughter Voilet Grohl also performed along with her father several times for the Nirvana band.
#3. Larry Mullen Jr.
- Associated Band/Act: U2
- Larry’s Net Worth: $300 Million
Who hasn’t heard about the famous rock group U2? Larry Mullen Jr. is the co-founder and drummer for the world-famous rock band. His drumming capabilities have earned him worldwide recognition and commercial success. His famous militaristic style of drumming has always won the heart of rock music fans.
Larry Mullen Jr. has a net worth of $300 Million as of 2023, making him take the 2nd spot on the list of richest drummers in the world. Mullen Jr. co-founded U2 in 1976 and has been a part of it since the band’s earliest days.
#2. Lars Ulrich
- Associated Band/Act: Metallica
- Lars’ Net Worth: $350 Million
Lars Ulrich gained worldwide recognition as the co-founder and drummer for the American heavy metal band Metallica. Metallica has served as the base for creating heavy metal music and earned special recognition across the globe since the very beginning. Ulrich’s energetic drum-playing technique has a significant contribution in helping Metallica top the charts.
Lars Ulrich’s net worth is $350 Million as of 2023, making him the 3rd richest drummer in the world as of 2023. He, with James Hetfield, founded Metallica in 1981 and they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2009.
#1. Ringo Starr
- Associated Band/Act: The Beatles
- Ringo’s Net Worth: $350 Million
Ringo Starr needs no introduction. As the globally famous drummer of the international group, the Beatles, he has an astounding net worth of $350 Million. Starr is also renowned for his occasional lead vocals for the group’s songs. He has also written commercially acclaimed songs like “Don’t Pass Me By”, and Octopus’s Garden”.
Ringo Starr’s net worth tops the list of richest drummers in the world with $350 Million as of 2023. He now performs solo and also released a new single in 2017, “Give More Love”.
Richest Drummers In The World
Summary:
These wealthiest drummers highlight the vital importance of a drummer in any rock band. Although they are often kept in the shadow, the role of a drummer in creating a commercially recognized band performance will remain unchanged.
Can you think of more drummers to add to the list of the richest drummers in the world? We would be looking forward to your valuable feedback in the comments.
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