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Prince Grosses $45.7 Million, Followed by Madonna at $44.9 Million and Dion at $40.8 Million

July 12, 2004

It hasn’t been a great year for touring artists, but Prince, Madonna and Celine Dion are bucking the trends as the top three money earners on this year’s Pollstar list of 2004’s Top 100 Tours at the midway point of the year. See the entire list by clicking here.
Prince’s "don’t call it a comeback" comeback tour tops the list with $45.7 million in grosses, including a "free" giveaway of his new album, Musicology, a controversial move which has kept the record high on the album chart all summer—at least according to Soundscan. Prince has sold a total of 737k tickets, with an average gross of $1.038 million per show, based on an average ticket price of $61.59.

Madonna’s Re-Invention Tour is next, selling $44.9 million worth of tickets, followed by Dion, who didn’t have to leave Las Vegas to rack up $40.8 million in sales. Madonna sold 258k total tickets at an average ticket price of $174.17 (highest in the Top 100) through June 30, while Celine moved 296k at a $137.65 average price.

The rest of the year’s Top 10 included Bette Midler ($33.7m), Rod Stewart ($32.7m), Shania Twain ($27.6m), Kenny Chesney ($27.0m), Metallica ($26.1m), Aerosmith ($25.2m) and Alan Jackson/Martina McBride ($24.9m).

At numbers 11-20 are Beyonce ($19.8m), Elton John ($19.1m), Britney Spears ($18.9m), Luis Miguel ($18.0m), George Strait ($17.4m), David Bowie ($16.4m), Kid Rock ($16.3m), Fleetwood Mac ($15.4m), Sarah Brightman ($14.9m) and Linkin Park ($14.5m).

Life must really begin at 40.

bkw said:

Yeah, seems like that touring is only for old folks - god, what happened to superstars that A) rule the charts B) sell out arenas and C) are in their 20s/early 30s...

The list above is a sure sign that the music industry is changing...

Krid said:

hmmm
got a point there friend

The young bucks don't even practice there own steps or organize the theme for their shows anymore, said it before and I'll say it again
Just industry puppets only concerned about one thing

righteous1 said:

These kids have no clue today! "Step aside, let the pro's go" as a song says. I saw Madonna a couple weeks ago, then Prince in MSG this past Monday. This was my 8th time seeing Prince Live and I just grow more Insatiable each time! I do have to say, though I paid $338. for 2 Madonna tix, the show was "good," but not nearly as much energy as Prince's show! Like a review said ... that Madonna could only dream of. Plus, the only way she's on top is because her tickets are 2 and 3 times as much as Princes, and she does not do encores! I think she doesn't because she doesn't know how or isn't prepared. When you have the raw, God-given talent that Prince has, you just get up and do yo thang! Madonna seems to be choreographed so that she might not know what to do if she were coaxed back on stage. No disrespect meant, I like her, but no body, and I mean NOBODY can touch PRINCE LIVE! He is untouchable! We won't even open the can of "Disney Products" as I like to call the Britneys, Justins, etc...

eyelikefunkymusic said:

So you think encores are spontanious? You think Prince just forgot to play Purple Rain and the crazy cheering reminded him so he ran back out?

If Madonna isn't doing encores it's because she realized that they are stupid. The artists should just play the damn show because it's not like anyone actually believes that they forgot to play their biggest hits and our cheering persuaded them to come back out. Encores are played out.

you have got to kidding...

Encores are played out???

I have to disagree with you - thats part of the concert experience

It doesnt surprise me Madonna does none as she is the one that is played out

2020 said:

When EVERYONE does something it is played out.

I absolutely hate encores. They are just dumb. I choose not to stand and applaud for 5 minutes as the muscian I'm there to see sits backstage and twiddles their thumbs waiting for time to pass until they go back out and play a few songs they had planned to play all along. The whole thing annoys me.

I'd rather have a musican add the encore songs in somewhere during the show and have that be it.

lovemachine said:

Ehem, well. I know encores are usually planned, they are basically a break between sets. We all know Prince doesn't forget to play something, he does it for us. He likes to wet our appetite, then give it to us like we like it!!! I mean, they change clothes, get water or whatever, then come back out. Encores are basically giving you yet more of what you hunger for. I mean, it gives you more excitement and more bang for the buck. Come on, Purple Rain is a staple song for Prince and his fams. The encore is like the answer to a tease. And, maybe some are spontaneous, but not because he forgot to do a song, just because he's givin' us what we want... more of him!
As for Madonna, maybe she just thinks she doesn't need to give you anything extra for the 150+ dollars you spent. I mean, watch Prince, he plays with you on stage and each show is a little different. I don't know about many other artists who are 'spontaneous' like that, if you will. Encores are always a hit expecially for those who crave more and more!

2020 said:

Thank you for putting that out there!!!!
(See my response)

lovemachine said:

"Insatiable" wanting more, not satisfied, still hungry, in satisfiable...
Encores: giving more, going back for more, doing again...

RaspberryWoman said:

Let's remember one thing: these are "Real Musicians, playing Real Music" and they need a quick break here and there. I mean, they're giving you practically three hours of serious music and funk. Their fingers, arms and voices need to rest a moment. Have you ever been to one of the Prince concerts that went nearly 4 and 5 hours?! Well, I have, and they are rockin' hard and yes, they need to stop and get a drink or rest their arms for a few minutes or change their sweaty clothes. I mean they are human, not machines. Now, other 'pop' groups out there with digital and prerecorded music or those who don't actually stress their voices to sing, well, I guess they don't need breaks, now do they?

eyelikefunkymusic said:

The shows have all been around 2 hours and 15 minutes to almost 2 and half hours and Prince leaves the stage for 10 minutes in the middle and another 5 or 10 minutes before the encore. Hardly three hours.

Also, Prince has NEVER played a 4 or 5 hour concert. His longest show ever was the show at the Northrup at the end of the first celebration and that was just less then 4 hours and he left the stage for 2 long breaks while other musicians took over.

BTW I have seen Prince in the triple digits including nearly every Paisley show so I'm not a rookie here and you seem tohave atendency to exaggerate.

But back to the main point he is not giving you anything extra he is just spacing it out more. It's a silly tradition.


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[This message was edited Thu Jul 15 6:56:42 2004 by lovemachine]

lovemachine said:

Well, I'm seeing him for the 9th time this Saturday. I know you or someone else may have been to more of his shows, but I specifically remember seeing him in DC at the MCI Center during the NewPowerSoul album tour, and that show went for at least 4 hours (over I think). Not that HE himself played olone, the whole time, but others joined him like: Larry G & Chaka Khan. The FunkFest went on very, very long and very, very satisfying. MY Point is that yes, I believe it may be necessary for an encore, espeically at longer shows simply for a true musician to rest a moment. Plus, it builds excitement-at least at Prince shows, since we know he does encores. I personally enjoy when he does them, for his benefit of rest, and mine since good things come to those who wait. Wouldn't you wanna party all night with Prince-I am a huge fan and I wanna party all night with him. Why get two hours, then get cut off just like that, leaving me unsatisfied like unfulfilling lovemaking.
Nuf Said

eyelikefunkymusic said:

You seem like the kind of person who buy the 1 pound package of thin sliced bacon instead of the 1 pound package of thick sliced bacon because you get more. Think about it

lovemachine said:

Remember Chloreen Baconskin on Crystal Ball. (Couldn't help myself)

Aside from bargaining and weighing, I just love Prince. Bottom Line. I'll take as much of him for as long as I can. Yeah, I know he's taking a break then coming back refreshed. I mean, it makes sense. Or would you rather go to a show, have them run thru the whole thing in one set, then cut you off? I'd rather stretch out my time with him.