From 1990 to May 2014, the Rolling Stones have grossed $1,565,792,382 in ticket sales from 538 concerts, with attending totaling 19,677,569, according to Billboard.
U2 was ranked close behind at No. 2 (with $1,514,979,793 in ticket sales), while Bruce Springsteen held down the No. 3 spot,with $1,196,116,507 in ticket sales. (See the full list below.)
The No. 1 ranking for the Stones should come as no surprise to longtime fans, since the band has often had the top-grossing tour of the year almost every time that the Stones have toured for the past few decades.
The Rolling Stones are currently on their "14 on Fire" tour, which goes to Asia, Europe, Australia and New Zealand. (See the tour dates below.)
In the 1980s and 1990s, the Rolling Stones toured in stadiums. In the 2000s and 2010s, the Rolling Stones have scaled back and toured in arenas. However, their ticket prices continue to rise. And even though many fans complain about the ticket prices, Rolling Stones tours always sell out.
During the Rolling Stones' "50 and Counting" anniversary tour 2013, U.S. ticket prices ranged from $85 for a basic ticket to about $2,500 for a VIP ticket package. Most of the tickets for that tour's U.S. concerts were priced at $150 to $600 each. To ensure that some fans get a chance at seating in front rows with the lowest-priced tickets, the Rolling Stones have randomly allocated some of their lowest-priced tickets to have seating in the front.
Top Live Artists From 1990-2014
1. The Rolling Stones
Gross: $1,565,792,382
Attendance: 19,677,569
Shows: 538
2. U2
Gross: $1,514,979,793
Attendance: 20,536,168
Shows: 526
3. Bruce Springsteen
Gross: $1,196,116,507
Attendance: 15,010,773
Shows: 727
4. Madonna
Gross: $1,140,230,941
Attendance: 9,694,079
Shows: 382
5. Bon Jovi
Gross: $1,030,082,884
Attendance: 12,333,668
Shows: 578
6. Elton John*
Gross: $786,791,043
Attendance: 12,164,513
Shows: 956
7. Dave Matthews Band
Gross: $776,969,736
Attendance: 17,823,077
Shows: 992
8. Celine Dion
Gross: $737,573,927
Attendance: 6,546,109
Shows: 1,143
9. 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
(Source: Billboard Boxscore)
