U2 have topped Rolling Stonemagazine's list of highest-earning pop groups, netting $61.9 million last year.
The Irish supergroup earned the money from touring, recording and copyright royalties, ahead of rap mogul Dr Dre, the Beatles, the Dave Matthews Band and Madonna, according to the magazine.
The magazine said it compiled the numbers through conversations with industry insiders such as managers, label executives, agents, lawyers and publicists.
Most of U2's income came from its successful Elevation tour of 113 arenas across North America and Europe, grossing $143 million, according to a report by Amusement Business.
Gangsta rap pioneer, Dr Dre, who signed Eminem to his Aftermath label, followed in second place with a net income of $51.9 million. The magazine noted that Dr Dre received a reported $35 million payment when Vivendi Universal SA's Interscope Records boosted its stake from 50 per cent to 80 per cent.
More than 30 years after they broke up, the Beatles came in third with $47.9 million, due to the worldwide release of their hits album 1. The Dave Matthews Band netted $43.4 million, most of it coming from touring.
Madonna, who also toured last year, ranked number five with $40.8 million, driven by a reported $20 million to $30 million recording advance from a contract renogotiation with AOL Time Warner Inc.'s Warner Music Group.