Three years after his untimely death, Michael Jackson is still a huge concert draw, at least as portrayed by the Cirque du Soleil.
Michael Jackson Immortal
Michael Jackson: the Immortal by the performance group leads the mid-year list of top grossing tours in North America as assembled by Pollstar. Between January 1 and June 30, that tour grossed $78.5 million.
Among tours involving living artists, Roger Waters leads the way with $61.9 million followed by Van Halen with $44.9 million, Kenny Chesney with $33.9 million and Lady Antebellum with $30.0 million.
Of other top veteran artists, Bruce Springsteen is at 7 with $30.0 million and Elton John at 8 with $26.0 million.
Worldwide, the story is a little different with Waters at the top grossing $158.1 million. Springsteen is second with $79.9 million and the Jackson show is third with is total gross coming from North American sales.
Here is the top five on each list followed by all other veteran artists in the top 100. Click on the list name to see Pollstar’s complete top 100:
North American Tours (in millions)
01. Michael Jackson: The Immortal (Cirque du Soliel) – $78.5
02. Roger Waters – $61.9
03. Van Halen – $44.9
04. Kenny Chesney – $33.9
05. Lady Antebellum – $30.9
07. Bruce Springsteen & the E-Street Band – $30.0
08. Elton John – $26.0
17. Red Hot Chili Peppers – $18.3
19. Jimmy Buffett – $18.1
29. Bryan Adams – $12.0
30. Beach Boys – $12.0
35. George Strait – $10.4
37. Neil Diamond – $10.0
39. Paul McCartney – $9.0
40. New Edition – $8.6
45. Yanni – $7.6
Worldwide Tours (in millions)
01. Roger Waters – $158.1
02. Bruce Springsteen & the E-Street Band – $79.9
03. Michael Jackson: The Immortal (Cirque du Soliel) – $78.5
04. Coldplay – $73.9
05. Lady Gaga – $67.2
06. Van Halen – $44.9
08. Madonna – $42.1
09. Paul McCartney – $40.1
11. Elton John – $37.4
18. Red Hot Chili Peppers – $24.7
23. Rod Stewart – $22.0
25. Bryan Adams – $21.7
33. Prince – $18.1
35. Jimmy Buffett – $18.1
39. Scorpions – $17.2
42. New Kids on the Block/Backstreet Boys – $16.4
