Cobain tops dead celebrity earnings list

Deceased Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain has topped a list cataloguing the annual earnings of dead celebrities.

According to US website Forbes the rock legend made approximately $50 million last year, beating off Elivis Presley, whose earnings reached $42 million.

Elvis had held the top spot for four years running but, following a move by Cobain's widow Courtney Love to sell a 25% stake in his song catalogue last year, the Nirvana frontman has debuted at the number one position this year.

The top ten also includes the likes of John Lennon, Ray Charles and Marilyn Monroe.