This is a list of the top grossing worldwide ‘tours’ of 2010, according to Pollstar.
1. Bon Jovi
- Gross Takings: $201.1m (£130.7m)
- Average Ticket Price: $105.35
- Number of Shows: 80
- Gross Takings per Show: $2.5m
- Got Famous: 1980s
- Age Now: 48
2. AC/DC
- Gross Takings: $177m (£115m)
- Average Ticket Price: $97.21
- Number of Shows: 40
- Gross Takings per Show: $4.4m
- Got Famous: 1980s
- Age Now: 57
3. U2
- Gross Takings: $160.9m (£104.6m)
- Average Ticket Price: $100.17
- Number of Shows: 32
- Gross Takings per Show: $5m
- Got Famous: 1980s
- Age Now: 50
4. Lady Gaga
- Gross Takings: $133.6m (£86.8m)
- Average Ticket Price: $88.22
- Number of Shows: 138
- Gross Takings per Show: 0.97m
- Got Famous: 2000s
- Age Now: 24
5. Metallica
- Gross Takings: $110.1m (£71.5m)
- Average Ticket Price: $98.72
- Number of Shows: 60
- Gross Takings per Show: $1.8m
- Got Famous: 1980s
- Age Now: 47
6. Michael Buble
- Gross Takings: $104.2m (£67.7m)
- Average Ticket Price: $83.81
- Number of Shows: 111
- Gross Takings per Show: $0.94m
- Got Famous: 2000s
- Age Now: 35
7. Walking with Dinosaurs
- Gross Takings: $104.1m (£67.7m)
- Average Ticket Price: $50.56
- Number of Shows: 485
- Gross Takings per Show: $0.21m
- Got Famous: Late Triassic Period
- Age Now: 230m years
8. Paul McCartney
- Gross Takings: $93m (£60m)
- Average Ticket Price: $138.35
- Number of Shows: 31
- Gross Takings per Show: $3m
- Got Famous: 1960s
- Age Now: 68
9. Eagles
- Gross Takings: $92.3m (£59.9m)
- Average Ticket Price: $121.85
- Number of Shows: 54
- Gross Takings per Show: $1.7m
- Got Famous: 1970s
- Age Now: 62
10. Roger Waters (ex-Pink Floyd)
- Gross Takings: $89.5m (£58.1m)
- Average Ticket Price: $126.14
- Number of Shows: 56
- Gross Takings per Show: $1.6m
- Got Famous: 1970s
- Age Now: 67
Dinosaurs
With the exception of Lady Gaga and Michael Bublé, I would contend that none of the things touring actually exist any more. Or shouldn’t.
It is highly appropriate that the show ‘Walking with Dinosaurs’ is at number 7. Arguably Dinosaurs fill most of the other spots as well.
Bands that were big in the 60s, 70s and 80s should not still be massive today. It goes against all the impulses of Rock – and against the very definition of Pop.
The old Rock ‘n’ Roll attitude of ‘live fast, die young’ has been forgotten (or at least part of it) – and from the looks of those box office takings it seems these guys (note: all men) prefer filling their pensionable pockets to dying.
Fair enough – I suppose it’s not their fault that healthcare has advanced to the point where even rockers living fast can still survive to a ripe old age.
And I suppose it’s not their fault that they are top of these charts: it’s just that their fans are the ones with the money, baby-boomers all grown up, cashing in their own pensions.
And why not?
Well you’ve got to ask why the money in music is still with acts that hit the big time thirty years ago? What does that mean for the industry? What does that mean for innovation and new music? Do we really have to wait until we’re retired before we can afford to go and see top-line shows? What price nostalgia?
I guess you can make a parallel with books. On the Road by Jack Kerouac is still wildly popular with young kids looking for their first taste of freedom, just as it was in the 1950s and 1960s. It’s our job, writing today, to be better than that.
Otherwise, why bother at all?