Oldies But Goodies Top Concert Sales In 2010

SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS/AP)- Gross revenues and total ticket sales from concert tours were down considerably in 2010 as the faltering economy and a glut of overpriced shows shunned by fans cast doubt on the music industry's last sure bet.

KCBS' Melissa Culross Reports:

Pollstar year-end numbers show overall grosses for the top 50 tours worldwide fell 12 percent to $2.93 billion and ticket sales dropped 15 percent or about 7 million from 2009's 45.3 million.

"Because of the down economy, because a number of key acts weren't on the road, and because people were just tired of paying upwards of $100 for a concert ticket it was a bad, bad summer for them, and it just carried over to the end of the year," said Chicago Tribune music critic Greg Kot.

Estimates from the touring industry trade magazine show Bon Jovi pulled in more than $201 million worldwide to land 2010's top tour. AC/DC was next ($177 million), followed by U2 ($160 million), Lady Gaga ($133 million) and Metallica ($110 million) rounded out the top five.

Pollstar reported ticket prices were the only number to increase from 2009 to 2010: Up $2.86 or about 4 percent.

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