Veteran pop stars such as Paul McCartney, the Rolling Stones and Cher helped drive North American concert ticket sales to a record US$2.1 billion last year, thanks to fans who forked out up to US$350 each for the privilege of seeing their idols.
According to data collated by concert trade publication Pollstar, sales hit a record for the fourth consecutive year, and rose about 20 percent from 2001's tally of US$1.75 billion.
Ticket prices for the top 100 acts averaged US$46.56, a 6 percent increase over 2001's US$43.86 average.
But the major acts charged sky-high prices. McCartney, on tour for the first time in nine years, was the top grosser with US$103.3 million, Pollstar said. The former Beatle charged an average of US$129.92 per ticket at his 53 shows, but his top price was about US$250.
McCartney now ranks No. 4 on the all-time North American concert charts, behind the Rolling Stones (US$121 million, 1994), U2 (US$109.7 million, 2001) and Pink Floyd (US$103.5 million, 1994).
The Rolling Stones, who were the No. 2 earners last year with US$87.9 million, averaged US$119.20 per ticket, but tickets in the major cities cost as much as US$350.
On the other hand, fans in the front rows paid much less, about US$90 each.
Pollstar editor Gary Bongiovanni said greedy rock stars were crippling the industry by demanding hefty guarantees from promoters, which results in high ticket prices and many empty seats.
"It would be difficult to find an industry insider who could pronounce overall business as healthy," he said.
The gross figures do not include merchandising sales, where rock stars earn a mint from such costly souvenirs as US$35 T-shirts and US$10 flashing buttons.
* McCartney, on tour for the first time in nine years, was the top grosser among rock stars with US$103.3 million.
* The Rolling Stones, who were the No. 2 earners in 2002 with US$87.9 million, averaged US$119.20 per ticket.
* Cher's supposed farewell tour was No. 3 on the list with total sales of US$73.6 million, and an average ticket price of US$71.89.
* Billy Joel and Elton John grossed US$65.5 million. Their average ticket cost US$107.88, but fans could shell out up to US$175.
* The Dave Matthews Band was fifth with US$60.1 million. Their average ticket was a relative bargain at just US$39.84.
Pop diva Cher's supposed farewell tour was No. 3 on the list with total sales of US$73.6 million, and an average ticket price of US$71.89. Her maximum was about US$80.
The ever-popular pairing of Billy Joel and Elton John grossed US$65.5 million. Their average ticket cost US$107.88, but fans could shell out up to US$175.
The Dave Matthews Band was fifth with US$60.1 million. Their average ticket was a relative bargain at just US$39.84. The group was also the most popular in terms of number of tickets sold, with more than 1.5 million fans paying to see their 77 shows.
By that measure, Cher was No. 2 with 1.1 million fans at 93 shows, and rock band Creed third with 953,000 fans at 83 shows, but No. 8 on the grosses list with US$39.2 million.
For the first time, a Rolling Stones tour did not top the year-end charts. But the band played only 34 concerts, of which five were small theater gigs where tickets went for just US$68. They resume their North American tour on Wednesday in Montreal, and are unlikely to top the 2003 list because they have only 14 concerts scheduled, including one free show.
Other major acts lined up for 2003 include 1970s veterans Fleetwood Mac and the Eagles. There are also unconfirmed reports of a reunion by the three surviving members of English rock group Led Zeppelin, which broke up after the 1980 death of drummer John Bonham.
Rounding out the year's top 10 were: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band at No. 6 with US$42.6 million, Aerosmith at No. 7 with US$41.4 million, Creed at No. 8, Neil Diamond at No. 9 with US$36.5 million, and the Eagles at No. 10 with US$35.4 million.
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