Any ranking of the best guitar riffs in history is subjective. The net worth of some of the guitarists who wrote the riffs that feature on those numerous lists is not up to argument. In the world of Rock, there are a lot of musicians who play guitar, but they aren't considered guitarists. This implies that performers like Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, and Jon Bon Jovi will not be included on this list, despite their status as legendary musicians in their own right.
Instead, we're looking at musicians primarily known for their guitar playing. We've produced a list of the ten richest guitarists in the world based on data from celebritynetworth.com. Because of this, Audacy offers specific channels for these musicians.
Pete Townshend – Net Worth: $150 Million
Pete Townshend is a multi-talented musician, singer, songwriter, and guitarist who rose to fame as a founding member of the iconic rock band The Who. To his credit, he didn't only start the band; he was also its primary songwriter, contributing to the success of the band's records, which have sold more than 100 million copies worldwide. Inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, he has been recognized as one of the finest guitarists of all time and has earned countless trophies and honors during his career.
Ronnie Wood - $200 Million
The Rolling Stones made Ronnie Wood famous, although he had a successful solo career before they hired him. From 1969-1975, Wood was a member of Faces, a band that became a high-grossing live act. He subsequently joined The Rolling Stones, a band that was already hugely successful but was about to skyrocket.
Paul Stanley - $200 Million
Since joining KISS, Stanley has enjoyed tremendous success. That may be an understatement. KISS has become one of the most popular live acts in the world due to the band's consistent traveling schedule. Along with the Rock & Brews chain of restaurants & ownership of an arena football franchise, Stanley and Gene Simmons have collaborated on various companies outside the world of music.
Jimmy Buffet – Net Worth: $600 Million
One of the richest men in music, Jimmy Buffet, doesn't make all of his money through music alone. The "island escapism" music he created has spawned a global business empire that includes the "Cheeseburger in Paradise" and "Margaritaville" restaurant chains, as well as Margaritaville Tequila, Margaritaville Footwear, and Margaritaville Foods" product lines and even a $1 billion retirement community in Daytona Beach, Florida.
Jimmy Page – Net Worth: $180 Million
Jimmy Page, widely regarded as one of the greatest guitarists of all time, is next up. His involvement with Led Zeppelin is well-known. His work with The Yardbirds doesn't appeal to individuals who want a more laid-back sound. Page is a two-time Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, a consistent presence on every "Greatest Guitarist" list ever compiled, and an influence on nearly every guitarist and artist born in the previous 50 years. His net worth is $180 million.
Bob Dylan – Net Worth: $375 Million
Although Bob Dylan is most recognized for his songwriting and singing, it's uncommon to see him perform without a guitar or with his back to the crowd. His decision to play an electric guitar at the Newport Folk Festival in 1965 was a turning point for popular music. More than 100 million copies of his albums, 10 Grammy Awards, an Academy Award, and a Presidential Medal of Freedom have been sold. Upon Dylan's death in December 2020, Universal Music Publishing Group purchased the entirety of his song repertoire for $300 million. According to TheRichest, he has a net worth of around $375 million after the sale.
Dave Gilmour – Net Worth: $180 Million
Being the frontman of one of Rock's most commercially successful bands means you have to have some money saved up. Dave Gilmour, Pink Floyd's principal guitarist and leader following Roger Waters' death, is a great example of this. He is said to have $180 million in real estate, bank accounts, pensions, and other investments. The fact that Pink Floyd's albums have sold over 250 million copies isn't shocking. Gilmour is well-known not just for his wealth but also for his generous nature. He has become one of Rock's most prominent philanthropists thanks to his efforts to raise awareness of climate change, homelessness, and other concerns.
Eric Clapton - $450 Million
Eric Clapton has had a successful career as a musician. As a member of Cream, The Yardbirds, and as a solo artist, Eric Clapton has sold over 100 million records worldwide. He has been inducted three times into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. However, Clapton has accumulated a sizable portion of his wealth outside of music through his large vehicle and art collections. Clapton's Ferrari collection, according to Celebritynetworth.com, is worth up to $100 million.
Keith Richards - $500 Million
The guitarist for "The Greatest Rock & Roll Band in the World," as many refer to them, comes in at number one. Richards is at the top of this list because of his many accomplishments with the Rolling Stones. Richards has had a successful solo career and has been a producer since the 1960s, in addition to his work with The Stones. There are songs he worked on with Aretha Franklin and Johnnie Johnson, as well as Ronnie Spector that bears his name. As an actor, Richards has appeared in several films, including Pirates of the Caribbean and others.
The Edge – Net Worth: $400 Million
The Edge was not named 'The Edge' from the moment of his birth, which is a bit of a surprise. Both he and he was not born with a fortune. However, the guy once known as David Evans has managed to earn a new identity and a sizable fortune along the way. As a member of U2, The Edge has had 22 Grammy nominations and has sold between 150 and 170 million records worldwide. He is widely regarded as one of the best guitarists of all time, and his net worth is estimated at $400 million.
