Playing to sold out houses, Paul McCartney is 2002's top grossing artist, earning over $126 million, according to Billboard. McCartney, whose outing this year was his first in nearly 10 years, has said that last year's Concert For New York City at Madison Square Garden was the inspiration for his 2002 tour.
And not surprisingly, eight of this year's top
10 grossing tours are by groups and artists from the 60's and 70's, like we have
seen in previous year-end tour charts: the Rolling Stones, Cher, Billy Joel and Elton
John, Aerosmith, the Eagles and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young who tied for the
No. 10 spot.
Kenny Chesney takes top country artist honors with $22.7 million, followed by
Toby Keith ($21.3 million), George Strait ($19.6), Alan Jackson ($18.8), and
Brooks & Dunn ($19.5).
According to Billboard, 10 of the top 25 tours were produced exclusively by Clear Channel Entertainment.
2002 Top 10 Grossing Tours:
1. Paul McCartney – $126.1 million
2. Rolling Stones – $90 million
3. Cher – $67.6 million
4. Billy Joel / Elton John – $66 million
5. Dave Matthews Band – $52.8 million
6. Neil Diamond – $52.2 million
7. Britney Spears – $43. 7 million
8. Creed – $37.3 million
9. Aerosmith – $36.3 million
10. the Eagles – $34.9 million
10. Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young – $34.9 million
