Which Legendary Musician Would Earn The Most On Social Media Today?

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  A new study by Money.co.uk reveals which legendary musicians would be earning the most from modern platforms such as YouTube, Instagram and Spotify 
• Analysing icons from Jimi Hendrix to Frank Sinatra, the study revealed that Bob Marley would be making the most in 2021, with his estimated earnings topping £1.2 million 
• The reggae legend is followed by Elvis Presley and David Bowie, who sadly passed in 2016 

New research has revealed which legendary musicians would be making the most money from modern platforms such as Instagram, YouTube and Spotify if they were still alive today, crowning Bob Marley as the King of Reggae and a modern-day influence. 

The study, conducted by Money.co.uk analysed official Spotify, YouTube and Instagram accounts of 50 of the biggest stars from yesteryear and ranked the estimated earnings of each based on the number of streams and followers they currently have. 

Taking the top spot, Jamaican reggae star Bob Marley stands tall with his estimated earnings reaching a grand total of £1,224,891. Marley’s biggest income would unsurprisingly be from the music streaming service Spotify, thanks to his 12,438,220 monthly streams generating £513,444 each year, with multiple generations listening to hits like ‘Redemption Song’ and ‘No Woman No Cry.’ Marley’s enduring influence also continues through to social media, with over 6 million fans following his official Instagram account. 

Elvis Presley, is the second-highest earner, with the beloved Blue Suede Shoes rocker taking home narrowly less than Marley, with an estimated £1,176,150 per year, when combining his streams and followers across these modern platforms. Following Presley is British star David Bowie, another musical icon who influenced many contemporary artists, the study estimates the ‘Life on Mars’ singer could be earning over £1 million. 

Female musicians also feature amongst the top 20 earning artists, including ‘the Queen of Soul’ herself, Aretha Franklin, who rounds off the top 10 as a result of her estimated earnings coming in at a healthy £542,690. Etta James and Ella Fitzgerlad also feature on the list of legendary musicians, who would still be earning big alongside current chart-toppers. 

The Top 20 Legendary Musicians Who Would Earn The Most On Spotify & Social Media 

James Andrews, personal finance expert at money.co.uk, commented: “As discussion of who will be this year’s Christmas Number One starts to hot up, we wanted to take a look back at the artists who paved the way for today’s stars and celebrate just how much of an influence they still have.

“Given most haven’t released a new track for decades, let alone been snapped with a new partner in an A-list hotspot, it’s a testament to the enduring power of their work to inspire and move people who weren’t born when they first stepped into a recording studio. 

“With their predicted earnings totalling some impressive sums on platforms that didn’t exist when most of their albums came out, it’s clear to see that they’re still loved by modern audiences, be it through a listen on Spotify or a follow on Instagram.” 

To see the full research, visit: https://www.money.co.uk/pensions/legendary-earnings