MADONNA is pop's TOP earner - Billboard

US: Madonna has beaten Bruce Springsteen and Pink Floyd founder Roger Waters to be named the highest-paid musician in 2012 by trade publication Billboard.

The 54-year-old singer has topped the annual rundown of the top money-makers for the second time in five years.

Her 88-date MDNA world tour, 2012's most successful, helped her take home $34.6m (£26.1m), Billboard said.

Concerts account for 68.9% of the total revenues for the 40 artists on the list, which estimates annual earnings. According to the figures, compiled using Boxscore concert data and Nielsen SoundScan sales information, Bruce Springsteen came a close second.

He earned $33.4m (£25.3m) after touring to sold-out stadiums and arenas on the back of his number one album Wrecking Ball.

Strong merchandise sales helped with his earnings, with Springsteen's live shows making up 92% of his overall revenue. - BBC NEWS

MUSIC'S TOP EARNERS IN 2013

1 Madonna $34.6m

2 Bruce Springsteen $33.4m

3 Roger Waters $21m

4 Van Halen $20m

5 Kenny Chesney $19.1m

6 Dave Matthews Band $18.9m

7 Tim McGraw $18.3m

8 Jason Aldean $17.6m

9 Coldplay $17.3m

10 Justin Bieber $15.9m