The document summarizes the Rolling Stone's annual list of the highest earning rock stars from touring in 2005. It states that U2 topped the list earning $154.2 million from touring over 100 arena and stadium shows worldwide. The Rolling Stones came in second earning $92.5 million primarily from a limited 40 U.S. date tour. Touring revenue has become more significant than album sales and royalties for most top earning artists according to U2's manager Paul McGuinness.

1. RICHEST ROCK STARS
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Dominate Biz
U2, Stones, Eagles Top RS annual list
of rock’s top earners BY BRIAN HIATT
The lesson of rolling stone’s fifth-annual list of music’s
biggest moneymakers? Touring, more than ever, is where the
money is: The vast majority of artists in our Top
Thirty made the bulk of their cash on the road in 2005.
Album royalties pale in comparison. “The music busi
ness has changed,” says
Paul McGuinness, longtime
manager of U2, who came
out on top last year, taking in
an estimated $154.2 million
after selling out more than
100 arena and stadium
shows around the world.
“Our recording income is
not insignificant, but it’s
less than we make from
touring. The figures used to
be closer together.” U2 make
an estimated $15 million
in advances for each album
they release, plus additional
royalties; they grossed $139
million on the road in the
North America in 2005–
including as much as $150,000
per night in merchandise sales
Stones Rock 1.2 Million in Rio Playing a rare free show, the Rolling Stones rocked more than 1.2 million fans in Rio de
Janeiro, as their A Bigger Bang tour swept through South America. The massive gig-held
at an estimated cost of more than $4 million - took place on Copacabana Beach, where the
stones delivered a two-hour set of classics and new songs. The show won’t set a Guinness
record - Rod Stewart drew more than 3 million at a 1994 New Year’s Eve show, also at the
Copacabana - but the massive crowd was the Stones’ largest ever.
(see sidebar).
The Rolling Stones, whose touring in 2005 was limited to
forty or so U.S. dates, came in at Number two, earning $92.5
million. The rest of the Top Ten is occupied almost exclusively
by veteran artists,
$154 MILLION
$40 MILLION
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