Let’s Hear it for the Old-Timers
By ph. diddy on Dec 26, 2004 in Touring
In the alleged youth culture of the U.S., it pays to tour when one is over 40:
In a dismal year for the touring industry, with ticket prices soaring and seats going unsold, music fans in North America partied like it was 1989 as Prince and Madonna topped the concert box office.
According to freshly tabulated estimates provided by concert trade publication Pollstar, Prince sold $87.4 million in tickets in 2004, while Madonna earned $79.5 million. Prince also worked a bit harder for his payday, playing 96 shows, compared with 39 for Madonna.
Canadian pop singer Celine Dion actually topped Madonna by about $900,000, but her haul came exclusively from 154 dates performed at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas as part of a four-year engagement at the casino.
Next on Pollstar’s list were hard rock warriors Metallica ($60.5 million), singer-comedienne Bette Midler ($59.4 million), reunited rock band Van Halen ($54.3 million) and country singer Kenny Chesney ($50.8 million). Source
4 Comment(s)
By Dave Diamond on Dec 26, 2004 | Reply
Hey, I just turned 40… OK, gotta go get me a tour!!
By Donyell on Dec 26, 2004 | Reply
lol, dave
By Bruce -- Harper Blue on Dec 26, 2004 | Reply
(sigh) I remember when $10 or $15 ate a good chunk of my pay, to go see the Carpenters or Judy Collins. I wouldn’t be able to afford a concert anymore. I suspect a good chunk of the blame can be placed on certain organizations, but who knows?
By Donyell on Dec 26, 2004 | Reply
bruce, everything is big business and about making as much money as you can…although concert goers only seem willing to dish out the big bucks for certain acts