Brian Wilson – $75 million
Greatest Hits: Good Vibrations, I Get Around, God Only Knows, Barbara Ann
Beach Boys was co-founded by Brian Wilson. Signed in 1962 to Capitol, he composed about twenty-four of the band’s top 40 songs. He’s considered one of the twentieth century’s most innovative songwriters, and others claim he’s a genius. He, with his brothers and cousin, formed the Beach Boys. Wilson now performs occasionally and is still known as the godfather of indie music and punk rock. Though musicians (including the Beatles) learned a ton from his influence, his melodies and orchestrations proved difficult to initiate.
Brian Wilson
John Fogerty – $70 million
Greatest Hits: Proud Mary, Bad Moon Rising, Fortunate Son
As a member of Creedence Clearwater Revival, a band he founded along with his brother Tom, Doug Clifford, and Stu Cook, John Fogerty had both a successful solo career and a genius career. He was the main singer, the writer, and several of the songs were written. Unfortunately, in 1972, the band split up and he embarked on a brilliant solo career. Rolling Stone listed him as #40 and #72 among the 100 Finest Guitarists and Greatest Singers of all time (respectively). Like “Proud Mary,” which Tina Turner brings back into a popular bop tune, he has penned several hits.
John Fogerty
