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AC/DC's 'Black Ice' Tour Is 2010's Highest-Grossing So Far
- Posted on Jul 27th 2010 7:24AM by Farah Ishaq
PA Photos
The Anglo-Australian rock group returned to the live arena in 2008, after an eight year touring break, to promote new studio album, 'Black Ice,' and their tour has racked up impressive ticket sales since the start. In 2009, AC/DC grossed $135 million and were watched by an estimated 1.6 million fans, and this year have already been seen by a further million people.
The Billboard Mid-year Tours Chart compiles data from Nov.28, 2009 to June 19, 2010 and shows that AC/DC top the list over other consistent big rock concert ticket sellers Bon Jovi ($52 million) and Metallica ($40 million).
Consequently, the 2008-2010 'Black Ice' tour will end up being the second-highest grossing tour of all time, with total figures collated at the moment at $441.6 million. Total sales for 2010 are expected to come in at around $177.5 million from their scheduled 40 shows this year.
They will come in second behind only the Rolling Stones 'A Bigger Bang' 2005-2007 tour, which grossed an almighty $558.3 million from 147 shows worldwide.
AC/DC's storming live success has also been recognised in the Forbes 2010 Music Earners List, in which they came in second only to U2. The Irish rocker's enormous 360 'Claw' stadium tour grossed $311 million in 12 months and their earnings were topped up by huge merchandise sales.
- Filed under: Concerts and Tours, News, UK
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Add a Comment
Jennifer
I like ac/dc and having worked for several rock bands on the road crew, I know that a lot of people AND a lot of businesses benefit from a tour of this size. It costs a ton of money to put on this type of show. I wish them future success and more tours.
However, I would like to request that the reporter writing this article go to school and learn proper grammar.
Mike
A quarter of a BILLION in 18 months? Geez, why in hell did I ever give up the guitar? And I had good hands--too.
July 27 2010 at 12:59 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
jeff
I'm with Joe in his opinion, always loved ac/dc!
July 27 2010 at 12:17 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
M
I guess you have to be a BP exec for people to get pissed about the amount of money that's being paid to them.
July 27 2010 at 12:16 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
Larry
I'm sure U2 gave 90% of their profits to the African recovery fund as they are always asking us to do..
July 27 2010 at 11:54 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
bob
AC/DC ROCKS !!!!
while u2 SUCKS !
Neil
While it's true economy doing terrible and many people broke, Balinwire forgets tours like these employ alot of people, not just roadcrew but also people working at stadiums, not like group takes home the whole amount. Also seems although many people broke they can afford to get minds off their problems with one night of great live rock n roll which is getting harder to find.
July 27 2010 at 11:32 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
the big Fangu
The reason some of these bands are making so much money touring like AC/DC The Stones IS because they know how to rock and rock hard, still kicking ass the other reason is music sucks now a days and we go back to the past for greatness listen up new generations go back to blues bendiing guitar strings play from the heart and ROCK N ROLL like these bands that know how to kick ass.........
July 27 2010 at 11:16 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
Lucas
Good for them! I saw them on this tour on July 31st, 2009 in Giants Stadium. Awesome show, I hope they release another album and go on tour again!
July 27 2010 at 11:12 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
11 Comments