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Live Nation's Michael Rapino Upbeat About 2012, Teases Madge Outing


LOS ANGELES (CelebrityAccess MediaWire) — Live Nation's president and chief executive officer Michael Rapino appears to be upbeat about the live industry's prospects in 2012.

In a recent interview with the Los Angeles Times, Rapino reiterated what the company had teased earlier in the week in the announcement of their upcoming quarterly earnings report; that business in 2012 was up by as much as 14 percent. The teaser also reported that the number of shows being booked was also on the rise to the tune of 15% worldwide.

Rapino also let slip that while officially, there was no confirmed Stones tour yet, tickets for Madonna's widely anticipated 2012 tour will likely go onsale shortly after the Super Bowl this weekend.

"At this point we're optimistic about 2012," Rapino told the Times. "Madonna's going on the road, and those tickets will go on sale right after the Super Bowl. If you have one or two of those giant tours, it keeps the industry level where you want it."

The Stones are also widely expected to tour in 2012 as it will be their 50th anniversary, however the tour may be tied up in litigation between Live Nation and former company chairman Michael Cohl over who has rights to the tour. – CelebrityAccess Staff Writers