08 November 2009 7:45
The rich list
It’s a long way to the top, but it’s all rock’n’roll royalties now for Australian rock legends AC/DC.
editor@australiantimes.co.uk
By Ashlea Maher
The rockers have topped this year’s list of Australia’s richest entertainers, the 2009 BRW Top 50 Entertainers list, knocking The Wiggles off the perch and pipping Kylie Minogue at the post.
If you wanted any excuse to quit your day job and start jamming out in the garage, the group brought in a mega revenue of $105 million this year, which is actually a nine-fold increase on the previous year.
BRW told the Sydney Morning Herald that the band’s hit Black Ice album, released last October, was most probably the clinching sweetener for the band.
“They’ve always been steady on the list but have come from $12 million last year to $105 million this year, blowing everyone out of the water,” BRW reporter Jane Lindhe said. This year’s takings are a “retirement income” for them she said.
‘Our Kyles’ retained second place with an estimate take of $47 million, up from $40 million last year, The Wiggles took third with revenue of $45 million down from $50 million. Probably Australia’s richest couple, Keith Urban came in at number five with $20 million and Nicole Kidman ranked ninth with $11 million. Russell Crowe was the highest paid actor with $25 million up his sleeve, taking fourth position, down from a podium placing third spot last year.
Newcomers to The List were Hamish Blake and Andy Lee of Hamish and Andy fame, as well as shock jocks Kyle Sandilands and Jackie O’Neill who also all made it into the top 50.
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