The Rolling Stones are Britain’s first billion dollar band: Rockers are the only musicians to gross 10 figures as they top up their bank balance with first album release in 18 years

While most famous faces will acquire deep pockets and healthy bank accounts over the course of their careers, not many walk away with a billion dollars.

Topping the rich list are The Rolling Stones, the first band to enter Britain will earn a billion dollars gross.

The iconic band has struck gold through electrifying live performances and more than 250 million album sales.

Their concerts have generated a whopping $2 billion in ticket sales over the years, and in 2021 fans spent $130.9 million on just 14 performances on the No Filter tour in the US.

Cliff Dane, the money whiz who ranked the rockers for The Sunday Times Rich List, applauded the Stones, along with Led Zeppelin, for initiating mega-stadium tours.

Artists: Frontman Mick Jagger always knew how to put on a show and it is these concerts that have raked in a staggering $2 billion in ticket sales over the years

Even though the remaining members of Ronnie Wood (76), Mick Jagger (80) and Keith Richards (79) are now playing fewer shows, their devoted fans are happy to part with top dollar for tickets as they tend to be older and have more disposable income. and the Stones can now make more money from the till.

The person behind the Stones’ financial affairs is Joyce Smythwho reformed the US leg of the Stones tour following Mick’s heart surgery four years ago.

She has been their secret financial weapon and was introduced to the rock stars by Prince Rupert, a private banker who hired the band and who later became known as ‘Rupie the Groupie’.

And despite abandoning his studies in finance and accounting at the London School of Economics, Mick has consistently demonstrated a keen entrepreneurial instinct.

He recently opened with the words: ‘I don’t really like doing business, I just have to do it. Because if you don’t do it, you’re going to be fucked.’

Not one to shy away, the band has happily capitalized on partnerships with corporate giants like Budweiser, LVMH, Chase Manhattan and more.

Microsoft even reportedly shelled out millions to use “Start Me Up” in a Windows 95 commercial and Mercedes spent $1.5 million to use “Sympathy for the Devil” in a 2013 Super Bowl ad.

On Saturday, FC Barcelona debuted their limited edition match shirt, which features the iconic band’s infamous tongue and lips logo and retails for an eye-watering $400.

Limited ed: On Saturday, FC Barcelona debuted their limited edition match shirt featuring the iconic band’s infamous tongue and lips logo and retailing for an eye-watering $400

Iconic: Despite the band now playing fewer shows, their devoted fans pay top dollar for tickets and the Stones can now rake in more money at the box office (photo (top) Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Charlie Watts. (bottom) Brian Jones and Bill Wyman)

Smart: The band has happily benefited from partnerships with corporate giants like Budweiser, LVMH, Chase Manhattan, Microsoft and Mercedes

Here for: Mick Jagger and Ronnie Wood put on a very animated show during the exciting football match between Barcelona and Real Madrid, where the limited edition shirt debuted

Gripping match: There was a huge turnout of fans to see Barcelona play Real Madrid

It comes after the three remaining members, Ronnie Wood released their first original album after 18 years on October 20.

Hackney Diamonds, the band’s twenty-fourth studio album, went straight to number one – the eleventh time the band has achieved this feat.

It is already the fifth fastest selling album of the year and is currently the third most streamed album on Apple Music.

Six songs from the new record – Angry, Sweet Sounds of Heaven, Get Close, Bite My Head Off, Depending on You and Mess it Up – made the top 100 singles midweek chart this week.