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There are certain professions you pursue for the perks. Politics, rock music, and blogging come to mind most immediately. All three come with amazingly extravagant lifestyles for the most successful and powerful. I definitely got into blogging for the lifestyle. As I write this, I am having my feet rubbed in $1,000 Brazilian nut butter by two of my "foot handlers." After I'm done, I will take a bath in my 24-karat gold tub with water imported from Switzerland — they have the softest water.

As we hear the news of two million jobs lost, a recession that could last years, and the bankruptcies of Fortune 500 companies, it's as good a time as any to look at the Lifestyles of the Musical and Famous. These are 10 musicians who have had the most extravagant, decadent lifestyles and habits of anyone. A life where the M&Ms are never brown, the Kristal always flows, and there's always a hotel room ready to demolish. Let the good times roll. Again. Soon. Please?

JONATHAN DAVIS - Giger Mic Stand
Most singers are happy with your standard Guitar Center-issue mic stand. Maybe hang a couple scarves from it if you’re Steve Tyler. Maybe put some candy-cane stripes on it if you’re Freddie Mercury or Rod Stewart. But that’s not good enough for Korn's bagpipe-blowing frontman. Davis commissioned famed Swiss designer H.R. Giger (he won an Oscar for the Alien monsters) to make him a “biomechanical erotic” mic stand. We don't know the cost, but it's definitely more than the Guitar Center version.

MICHAEL JACKSON - Neverland Ranch
Michael Jackson holds the #1 spot for biggest pop star extravagance: Neverland Ranch (named in honor of Jackson's favorite kid, Peter Pan). Jacko bought the 2,800-acre ranch in 1987 for an estimated $17 million. He built a private   amusement park on the property, which included a zoo, Ferris wheel, merry-go-round, roller coaster, and bumper cars. Sadly, all that high living costs more than Jackson's faltering career and outrageous spending habits could sustain. He got hit with his own personal recession and lost the property late last year.

ELVIS PRESLEY - Cadillacs
More than peanut butter-bacon-and-banana sandwiches, Elvis loved Cadillacs. From 1955 to 1977, he bought hundreds of them. Some he kept, some he gave away, and the last one he took to his grave at Graceland. His '65 Eldorado was insured for $250,000, had a gold-plated steering wheel, gold-plated TV and phone, and guitar-shaped sun visors. That's why he was the King, and I drive a Prius.

DAVID LEE ROTH - Paternity Insurance
At the peak of his Van Halen days, Diamond Dave had a lot of ladies. So many, in fact, that Roth decided to shell out $10K a year on paternity insurance with Lloyds of London.

BRIAN WILSON - Living Room Sandbox
In 1966 the Beach Boys' mastermind was a virtual shut-in. He was locked up in his Bel Air home, seriously expanding his mind and creating his masterpiece SMiLE. He placed a piano in a giant sandbox in his living room for inspiration. As if the drugs weren't enough.

LED ZEPPELIN - Private Jet
Led Zep was one of the first rock acts to tour in a private jet. Their chartered plane, the Starship (owned by former teen idol Bobby Sherman: smart dude) cost $30K and included a bar, organ, and 30-foot long couch. Plus a whole lotta booze. In fact, the booze probably cost more than the plane rental.

MASTER P - 40,000-Square-Foot House
Master P takes cribs to a whole new level. The New Orleans' rapper (excuse me, he's an "entrepreneur") has a 40,000-square-foot home in Baton Rouge. That's the size of some towns. Aside from the remote-controlled drapes, personal lake, and Willy Wonka glass elevator, he's got 14,000 gold tiles on his ceiling. Now I get the whole "No Limit" thing.

MC HAMMER - 40-Person Entourage
Hammer needed those parachute pants to keep a lot of cash. At his spending peak, he paid 40 people to follow him around. No one needs 40 people trailing him, especially Hammer. Not surprisingly, Hammer ended up bankrupt.

P. DIDDY - Umbrella Holder
When do you know you've finally made it? When you can afford to blow your money on some dude carrying your umbrella. Fozworth Bentley carried Diddy's umbrella for two years. I'm not sure who's the bigger fool.

MORRIS DAY - Personal Valet
You know Diddy was taking a page from Morris Day's book when he hired Fozworth. Day's valet, Jerome, has been around ten times as long. Why? He's cheaper and does more than just carry an umbrella. Jerome combs hair, primps clothes, and always has a mirror handy. Morris Day is getting rock star extravagance at value-added prices.

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