Singer Rufus Wainwright – who sought guidance from the ‘Rocket Man’ hitmaker Elton John in 2000 when he was struggling with an addiction to crystal meth – claimed the flamboyant star is very quiet away from his public persona and has little belief in his own abilities. He said: “I don't think people are aware of how shy he is. He's a bit like the Wizard of Oz. On the one hand there's this big pomp

U2 made more money than any other music act in the US in last year, according to Billboard magazine. The music journal said the band made $109 million in 2009. That's almost twice as much as the second best, Bruce Springsteen. U2 are in the middle of a world tour - and touring is the most lucrative activity for artists, Billboard said. The 360 Degree tour is the most expensive ever staged.