Deceased musicians who produced the most earnings in 2022

The well-known US  magazine Forbes has compiled the ranking of artists who, although dead, have been able to generate the greatest profit during 2022 thanks to their musical legacy and beyond. Forbes monitors the profits and earnings generated by singers who have died since 2001: This year, the total sum of revenues is the highest ever. This is the methodology applied by Forbes: the ranking includes gross earnings from sales, licensing agreements and other sources, in the period between November 1, 2021 and October 30, 2022. 

The former member of the Beatles has made money thanks to the documentary The Beatles: Get Back, in addition to the royalties derived from his career both as a solo artist and with the original group of Liverpool.

Similar speech to George Harrison also for the other deceased member of the Beatles: although 42 years have passed since the death of John Lennon, the heirs of the singer-songwriter have received profitable earnings thanks to The Beatles: Get Back and music produced both solo and with Fab Four.

Juan Gabriel was one of Mexico's most prolific composers and singers, capable in his glorious career of writing and performing some 1,800 songs. The musician also won two Latin Grammy Award.

Historical drummer of Toto, Jeff Porcaro is considered a legend of music. 30 years after his death, his musical production has yielded 25 million dollars: in fact, not everyone knows that it was he who kept the rhythm in the best-selling album of all time, Thriller of Michael Jackson.

The name of Cohen is inextricably linked to his famous song Hallelujah, whose rights were purchased by Hipgnosis, a publicly traded music management and intellectual property company.

The music of the King of Pop is more alive than ever, and to generate substantial earnings for Michael Jackson was also the show of the Cirque du Soleil dedicated to him, staged in Las Vegas.

The father of the Soul has ceded his rights to Primary Wave, an independent music publisher: James Brown's assets are used in part to finance academic scholarships for children in need.

The King of rock ‘n’ roll has been dead for many years, but his myth is immortal. In particular, to still generate immense earnings is Graceland, his historic villa, which can currently be visited by tourists. But even today, even the merchandising linked to Elvis generates immense revenues all over the world.

In first place among the deceased musicians who have yielded more earnings is The Thin White Duke. Generating a profit of 250 million dollars for the heirs of Bowie was the sale of the entire music catalog of the singer-songwriter to Warner Chappell, a commercial operation that took place in January 2022.