CLEARLY, Elvis has not left the building yet. And Jamaican reggae superstar, Bob Marley is definitely coming in from the cold, that is according to the latest figures released by Forbes magazine on the top 10 highest earning dead celebrities in 2003.

Bob Marley, the third world’s only megastar, placed 9th on the top 10 list, with earnings of US$9 million from worldwide sales of one million Bob Marley and Bob Marley and the Wailers albums during the year.

Elvis Presley, for the third year in a row, leads the Forbes.com annual list of top-earning deceased celebrities, according to the Forbes. The third annual list tracks the posthumous business dealings of the biggest stars of yesteryear.

Marley, who died from cancer in the Cedars of Lebanon Hospital in Miami on May 11, 1981, placed just ahead of actress Marilyn Monroe, who in death earned US$8 million for her estate.

To arrive at the earnings number, Forbes tallied standard royalties on sales of an artiste’s work, including CDs or books. Fees from licensing of one’s name and likeness for use in advertisements or promotions, as well as merchandising, were taken into account.

“In the case of songwriters, we took into account the many fees associated with the re-recording and live performances of classic songs or musicals, as well as their use in ads in television and movies. The final number reflects estimated earnings between September 2002 and September 2003,” said Forbes.

The magazine said that although Marley died more than 20 years ago, “surviving family members and clever music execs constantly find new ways to keep his music alive — and profitable”.

“His songs have been covered by a diverse assortment of musicians, including hip-hopper Lauryn Hill and classic rocker Eric Clapton, and every year there seems to be a digitally re-mastered re-release of an old album or a live show. Last year, fans were treated to a deluxe edition of the 1976 album Rastaman Vibration.”

Forbes said that Marley reportedly has on deck for 2004: a two-disc deluxe edition of the 1973 album Burnin’ and the 1975 album Live.

Rank Name Earnings ($mil)

1 Elvis Presley 40

2 Charles Schulz 32

3 J R R Tolkien 22

4 John Lennon 19

5 George Harrison 16

6 Theodor “Dr Seuss” Geisel 16

7 Dale Earnhardt 15

8 Tupac Shakur 12

9 Bob Marley 9

10 Marilyn Monroe 8