According to a new report from Billboard, there are five acts that have made over a billion dollars off touring since 1990.Those five are hardly surprising, as they are the usual suspects found on most “highest-grossing tours” lists. But here they are, in order: The Rolling Stones, U2, Bruce Springsteen, Madonna, and Bon Jovi.
Because this list is tallying since 1990, hardly any newer acts made the cut. In fact, Coldplay, who released their debut album in 2000, are technically the “newest” act on the list, an astounding feat considering fellow “new” marquee acts like Justin Timberlake, Jay Z, Beyonce, and Maroon 5 are notably absent. In a list full of legacy acts like The Eagles, Cher, and Rod Stewart, it’s a testament Coldplay’s meteoric rise. Billboard also points out that, “among the top 10 earners since 1990, the average age of vocalists – upon whom touring takes the hardest toll – is 56-and-a-half, and not one is younger than 46.”
Other surprising details include the fact that Celine Dion has played 1,143 shows, 416 more than noted workhorse Bruce Springsteen, who played 727. Out of the top 25, Paul McCartney performed the least amount, grossing over $505,534,809 from 220 concerts.
Check out the full list below, which was compiled by Billboard Boxscore (via Billboard).
Highest Grossing Live Acts From 1990-2014
01. The Rolling Stones
Gross: $1,565,792,382
Attendance: 19,677,569
Shows: 538
02. U2
Gross: $1,514,979,793
Attendance: 20,536,168
Shows: 526
03. Bruce Springsteen
Gross: $1,196,116,507
Attendance: 15,010,773
Shows: 727
04. Madonna
Gross: $1,140,230,941
Attendance: 9,694,079
Shows: 382
05. Bon Jovi
Gross: $1,030,082,884
Attendance: 12,333,668
Shows: 578
06. Elton John*
Gross: $786,791,043
Attendance: 12,164,513
Shows: 956
07. Dave Matthews Band
Gross: $776,969,736
Attendance: 17,823,077
Shows: 992
08. Celine Dion
Gross: $737,573,927
Attendance: 6,546,109
Shows: 1,143
09. Kenny Chesney
Gross: $752,706,599
Attendance: 12,681,629
Shows: 755
10. The Eagles
Gross: $702,110,908
Attendance: 7,720,760
Shows: 484
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
*Includes co-headlining tours
