Long-running British heavy metal band IRON MAIDEN has made it into a list of the music world's biggest earners.

The band made £17.9 million (approx. $34 million) last year thanks to the massive success of their world tour in support of their last studio album, "Dance of Death", according to Heat magazine's annual rich list. They makes their entry into the chart at No. 9.

Heat bases its rich list on estimated earnings from record and DVD sales, tour revenue, merchandising, music publishing royalties and other income.

2003's top 10 earners in music world, according to Heat magazine:

01. ROLLING STONES (£55.3 million)
02. SIR PAUL MCCARTNEY (£40 million)
03. SIR ELTON JOHN (£34 million)
04. ROBBIE WILLIAMS (£30 million)
05. COLDPLAY (£25.3 million)
06. STING (£25.1 million)
07. PHIL COLLINS (£25.1 million)
08. FLEETWOOD MAC (£23.5 million)
09. IRON MAIDEN (£17.9 million)
10. DIDO (£15.8 million)

Band profile:

Iron Maiden