From their beginnings in the South Bend area. through a few lineup changes and some ups and downs, Umphrey McGee’s success and level of performance has grown over the years due to hard work and continuous road testing of their compositions and style. And, although many would have a good case to argue that Umphrey
Fans shelled out $115.9 million to “come on up for the rising,” making Bruce Springsteen the number one concert draw in North America in 2003.
Springsteen and the E Street Band played 47 concerts, including 13 stadium shows in the New York area alone, making New Jersey’s favorite son one of the biggest money-makers in concert history, second only to The Rolling Stones’ 1994 total of $121.2 million. This year, Mick and the boys pulled in $38.5 million in North America, ranking the original bad boys of rock & roll in the 14th position.
Pollstar editor-in-chief Gary Bongiovanni predicted 2003 will be the fourth record-setting year in a row with around $2.4 billion in concert business, mostly because fans have become accustomed to higher ticket prices for big-name acts. Four acts in Pollstar’s top 10 earners for the year – Celine Dion, the Eagles, Simon & Garfunkel and the Billy Joel-Elton John double bill – charged more than $100 per ticket, on average. Among those raking in the loot: Celine Dion finished second to Springsteen, earning $80.5 million for a one-city, 145-date “tour”: her residency at a Las Vegas casino. “If you’re wondering why Elton John is considering camping there for a while – that’s why,” Bongiovanni said. “You can make a lot of money and you don’t have to travel.” Country had five of the top 20 tours for 2003, with Kenny Chesney’s $35.76 ducats the lowest ticket price of all the tours that placed in the top 20. The Dixie Chicks, despite being dogged by controversy over a remark made about President Bush, had the most lucrative country tour of all time with a $60.5 million total. Other acts in Pollstar’s top 20 for 2003 include Phish, Tim McGraw, Fleetwood Mac, and Pearl Jam.
Source Pollstar.com .
