Billion Dollar Elders: Older Rockers Dominate List Of Big Money Tours

What do the Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen, U2, Madonna and Bon Jovi all have in common?  According to Billboard, each of those acts have earned more than a billion dollars from touring since 1990. And word to the snot-nosed little Biebers of the music world: 15 of the Top 25 touring acts included feature artists who are now over 60-years-old.

To put it perspective, consider that what the Stones alone have accomplished over the last 24 years: Over 538 shows, the band has played to more than 19.6-million people, grossing more than $1.56-billion. U2 played eight less shows (the slackers), but still earned a very respectable $1.51-billion.

The Boss, really is, too. Springsteen played more shows than anyone else in the Top 5 — 727 shows over the last 24 years and earned more than $1.1-billion for having played in front of approximately 15-million people. Bon Jovi’s concert attendance of 12.3 million topped Madonna’s by just under 3-million people over 578 shows, earning the band $1.03-billion.

The rest of the Top 25 list was dominated by classic rockers. Here’s an overview:

• Elton John is at #6 ($786-million)
• The Eagles are at #10 ($702-million)
• The Police/ Sting snagged #11 ($556-million)
• Roger Waters at #12 with $547-million
• Paul McCartney scored lucky #13 ($505-million)
• Billy Joel at #14 with $499-million
• Rod Stewart is #15 ($497-million)
• Metallica land at #17 ($432-million)
• #18 belongs to Aerosmith ($417-million)
• Fleetwood Mac / Stevie Nicks are at #24 ($349-million)
• AC/DC scooted into the #25 position ($337-million)

In case you missed it, the Rolling Stones relaunched their "14 On Fire" Tour in Norway Monday night. They kicked off the European portion of the run with a show in Oslo and opened with their classic, "Jumpin' Jack Flash."  It was also the first show for Mick Jagger since losing his long time girlfriend, L'Ren Scott, to suicide.