Bono is most powerful music star

U2's campaigning frontman Bono has been named the most powerful man in the music world - for being able to bend the ears of world leaders.

As well as his position as leader of the world's biggest rock group, Q Magazine says it is the 42-year-old Irish star's abilities as a lobbyist which put him at the forefront of top people in the music business.

Highest British entry is music misery Thom Yorke, 34-year-old frontman of rock act Radiohead, for his abilities to shift vast quantities of CDs and campaign on various issues.

Sir Paul McCartney, 60, is in joint ninth place, along with 69-year-old Yoko Ono, for their position as bosses of Apple Corp, which owns the commercial rights to The Beatles.

Former Spice Girls manager Simon Fuller, 42, who was behind the worldwide TV hit Pop Idol is ranked at number ten.

Nirvana leader Kurt Cobain is in fifth place despite being dead for eight years. The magazine says he is still the most influential musician in the world.

Rapper Eminem, 28, is third thanks to his colossal albums sales of around 25 million despite his "white trash" roots.

The rest of the top ten is made up of music industry chiefs.

Assistant editor of Q Mark Blake said: "With this list we wanted to reflect the music industry's biggest movers and shakers - both on and offstage.

"This means the musicians wielding power and influence and those on the business side help making it all possible."

A total of 12 Brits figure on the top 50 most powerful people in music 2002 list. Here is the top ten:

1. Bono.

2. Doug Morris (Universal Music boss).

3. Eminem.

4. L Lowry Mays (founder of US entertainment firm

Clear Channel).

5. Kurt Cobain.

6. Thom Yorke (Radiohead frontman).

7. Lyor Cohen (boss of Island Def Jam).

8. Clive Calder (head of Zomba Music).

9. Sir Paul McCartney/Yoko Ono.

10. Simon Fuller.

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