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They first burst out on the scene and began dominating their competition more than four decades ago, and the mighty Rolling Stones just haven’t stopped, according to Billboard, grossing more than $1.5 billion since 1990 and claiming the title of the top-grossing live act over that period.
The music industry publication has just released its list of the 25 highest-grossing live artists since 1990, with music legends the Rolling Stones, whose hit (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction dominated international music charts in 1965, nabbing the number one spot for the amount earned on the road since 1990, a period that began some 25 years after they first hit the airwaves.
Also cracking the $1 billion mark, are the rest of the top five, all veterans of the international touring circuit in their own right. U2 come in second, having also earned over
$1.5 billion, while Bono and co. also earned themselves top spot for attendance, with 20.5 million people lining up to see 526 shows since 1990.
Next on the list is arduous tourer Bruce Springsteen, who celebrates his 65th birthday this year. He earned nearly $1.2 billion while performing 727 shows since 1990. Surprisingly, the Boss is bested in this category by Celine Dion, who has taken to the stage 1143 times in that period, most likely owing to her Las Vegas residency.
Madonna and Bon Jovi round off the top five, with Billboard noting the average age of vocalists in the top 10 sits at 56 (and-a-half) years and more than half of the 25 acts feature artists who are over 60.
The list features only four acts who released their debut albums after 1990. Those are Dave Matthews Band (1993), Toby Keith (1993), Kenny Chesney (1994) and representing this century are international superstars Coldplay (2000).
Australia’s very own AC/DC also managed to scrape into 25th spot having grossed $337 million from 316 shows. See the full list below.
Billboards Top 10 Live Artists From 1990-2014
And the rest…
11. The Police/Sting
Gross: $556,114,962
Attendance: 7,257,611
Shows: 605
12. Roger Waters
Gross: $547,305,412
Attendance: 5,474,759
Shows: 316
13. Paul McCartney
Gross: $505,534,809
Attendance: 5,248,175
Shows: 220
14. Billy Joel
Gross: $499,978,726
Attendance: 10,408,169
Shows: 577
15. Rod Stewart
Gross: $497,033,399
Attendance: 7,885,676
Shows: 714
16. Neil Diamond
Gross: $465,448,371
Attendance: 8,870,666
Shows: 643
17. Metallica
Gross: $432,816,245
Attendance: 8,388,374
Shows: 468
18. Aerosmith
Gross: $417,573,638
Attendance: 8,405,069
Shows: 582
19. George Strait
Gross: $405,034,063
Attendance: 9,736,580
Shows: 584
20. Jimmy Buffett
Gross: $402,756,057
Attendance: 9,746,471
Shows: 539
21. Coldplay
Gross: $378,359,252
Attendance: 5,394,616
Shows: 315
22. Toby Keith
Gross: $361,256,245
Attendance: 8,608,696
Shows: 711
23. Cher
Gross: $351,625,611
Attendance: 4,531,739
Shows: 548
24. Fleetwood Mac/Stevie Nicks
Gross: $349,906,931
Attendance: 4,906,995
Shows: 483
25. AC/DC
Gross: $337,879,092
Attendance: 5,387,353
Shows: 316
HIghest Grossing Tours Since 1990
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Rolling Stones
1. The Rolling Stones Gross: $1,565,792,382 Attendance: 19,677,569 Shows: 538 -
U2
2. U2 Gross: $1,514,979,793 Attendance: 20,536,168 Shows: 526 -
Bruce Springsteen
3. Bruce Springsteen Gross: $1,196,116,507 Attendance: 15,010,773 Shows: 727 -
Madonnalive819
4. Madonna Gross: $1,140,230,941 Attendance: 9,694,079 Shows: 382 -
BonJovi
5. Bon Jovi Gross: $1,030,082,884 Attendance: 12,333,668 Shows: 578 -
Elton John
6. Elton John Gross: $786,791,043 Attendance: 12,164,513 Shows: 956 -
Dave Matthews Band
7. Dave Matthews Band Gross: $776,969,736 Attendance: 17,823,077 Shows: 992 -
Celine Dion
8. Celine Dion Gross: $737,573,927 Attendance: 6,546,109 Shows: 1,143 -
175811927LC036_Kenny_Chesne
9. Kenny Chesney Gross: $752,706,599 Attendance: 12,681,629 Shows: 755 -
Eagles
10. The Eagles Gross: $702,110,908 Attendance: 7,720,760 Shows: 484
