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Rock Has Dominated Concert Revenues for 40 Years. Here’s Proof.

By Erica Banas // Rock Music Reporter

Some of rock’s biggest artists are featured in a new chart from tour industry tracker Pollstar, which has released a new ranking of the top touring artists since 1980.

The two biggest touring acts since 1980 are the Rolling Stones and U2 coming in at numbers one and two, respectively. Both bands have the distinction of being the only two acts on the list that cleared the $2 billion gross mark.

A number of major rock acts are scattered throughout the top 2o of the massive 150 artist ranking. Among them are Bon Jovi, the Eagles, Metallica, Paul McCartney and more.

Scroll below and see which acts made the top 20 of Pollstar’s Top Touring Artists list along with their total touring grosses.

  • 20. André Rieu

    Total gross: $783,135,491

  • 19. Rod Stewart

    Total gross: $796,050,406

  • 18. Roger Waters

    Total gross: $841,218,937

  • 17. Taylor Swift

    Total gross: $924,991,375

  • 16. Ed Sheeran

    Total gross: $968,919,574

  • 15. Beyoncé

    Total gross: $1,012,704,645

  • 14. Coldplay

    Total gross: $1,038,862,173

  • 13. Dave Matthews Band

    Total gross: $1,085,558,730

  • 12. Kenny Chesney

    Total gross: $1,110,826,825

  • 11. Billy Joel

    Total gross: $1,187,103,345

  • 10. Paul McCartney

    Total gross: $1,193,812,645

  • 9. Metallica

    Total gross: $1,219,599,179

  • 8. Eagles

    Total gross: $1,314,544,780

  • 7. Bon Jovi

    Total gross: $1,329,891,400

  • 6. Celine Dion

    Total gross: $1,354,352,578

  • 5. Madonna

    Total gross: $1,389,746,222

  • 4. Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band

    Total gross: $1,527,407,373

  • 3. Elton John

    Total gross: $1,748,183,036

  • 2. U2

    Total gross: $2,127,771,684

  • 1. The Rolling Stones

    Total gross: $2,165,280,638

For the complete list of all 150 ranked artists based on tour revenue, head over to Pollstar.com.

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