Megadeth's Farewell Tour and Other Successful Bands Who Grossed Millions

Few announcements in the metal music world hit harder this summer than Megadeth’s reveal of their final world tour. One of thrash metal’s Big Four, the band has decided to call it quits, but not after giving fans one last album and a chance to see them live. Megadeth's announcement brings touring artists into the spotlight, as some critics question if this move is more about money than artistic integrity. True Megadeth fans aren't going to care about that side of things; they have the chance to see Megadeth live one more time.

The announcement serves as a reminder of Megadeth’s place among the most relentless touring acts in music. No matter the year or album, the band has continued to connect with fans through powerful live shows. Each tour has been an event and an opportunity for the faithful to gather and for new listeners to discover their intensity on stage. But Megadeth isn't the only band to find success while on the road. In fact, there are many groups grossing millions in touring dollars, bands that have been lucrative for decades.

24/7 Tempo ranks the 50 most successful touring artists since 1981, based on ticket sales data from Pollstar, concert gross totals, album sales from the RIAA, and Billboard chart metrics. Sources include Pollstar, the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), and Billboard.

Megadeth

Tickets sold: 6.9 million
Est. concert gross: $280.4 million
Certified U.S. album sales: 9.5 million
Top charting song: Symphony of Destruction (1992)
Top charting album: Countdown to Extinction (1992)

The Police

Tickets sold: 4.9 million
Est. concert gross: $367.8 million
Certified U.S. album sales: 22.0 million
Top charting song: Every Breath You Take (1983)
Top charting album: Zenyatta Mondatta (1980)

Santana

Tickets sold: 7.7 million
Est. concert gross: $338.3 million
Certified U.S. album sales: 43.5 million
Top charting song: Smooth (feat. Rob Thomas) (1999)
Top charting album: Supernatural (1999)

Chicago

Tickets sold: 7.8 million
Est. concert gross: $308.8 million
Certified U.S. album sales: 38.5 million
Top charting song: Hard To Say I'm Sorry (1982)
Top charting album: Chicago Transit Authority (1969)

Luke Bryan

Tickets sold: 8.1 million
Est. concert gross: $451.0 million
Certified U.S. album sales: 13.0 million
Top charting song: Drunk On You (2011)
Top charting album: Tailgates & Tanlines (2011)

Brad Paisley

Tickets sold: 8.1 million
Est. concert gross: $328.7 million
Certified U.S. album sales: 8.5 million
Top charting song: Then (2009)
Top charting album: Time Well Wasted (2005)

New Kids on the Block

Tickets sold: 8.2 million
Est. concert gross: $343.7 million
Certified U.S. album sales: 16.5 million
Top charting song: You Got It (The Right Stuff) (1988)
Top charting album: Hangin' Tough (1988)

P!nk

Tickets sold: 8.2 million
Est. concert gross: $762.5 million
Certified U.S. album sales: 18.0 million
Top charting song: Just Give Me a Reason (feat. Nate Ruess) (2013)
Top charting album: Funhouse (2008)

Guns N' Roses

Tickets sold: 8.5 million
Est. concert gross: $751.3 million
Certified U.S. album sales: 44.5 million
Top charting song: November Rain (1992)
Top charting album: Appetite for Destruction (2004)

Rush

Tickets sold: 8.6 million
Est. concert gross: $341.8 million
Certified U.S. album sales: 26.0 million
Top charting song: New World Man (1982)
Top charting album: Moving Pictures (1981)

Mötley Crüe

Tickets sold: 8.7 million
Est. concert gross: $367.3 million
Certified U.S. album sales: 25.0 million
Top charting song: Without You (1990)
Top charting album: Dr. Feelgood (1989)

André Rieu

Tickets sold: 8.8 million
Est. concert gross: $783.1 million
Certified U.S. album sales: 0.0 million
Top charting song: <500,000
Top charting album: Home for the Holidays (2012)

James Taylor

Tickets sold: 8.9 million
Est. concert gross: $446.4 million
Certified U.S. album sales: 33.0 million
Top charting song: Handy Man (1977)
Top charting album: Sweet Baby James (1970)

Brooks & Dunn

Tickets sold: 8.9 million
Est. concert gross: $307.3 million
Certified U.S. album sales: 27.5 million
Top charting song: Ain't Nothing 'Bout You (2001)
Top charting album: Brand New Man (1991)

Roger Waters

Tickets sold: 9.0 million
Est. concert gross: $841.2 million
Certified U.S. album sales: 75.0 million
Top charting song: N/A
Top charting album: Radio K.A.O.S. (1987)

Toby Keith

Tickets sold: 9.0 million
Est. concert gross: $385.0 million
Certified U.S. album sales: 25.0 million
Top charting song: Red Solo Cup (2011)
Top charting album: Unleashed (2002)

ZZ Top

Tickets sold: 9.1 million
Est. concert gross: $278.7 million
Certified U.S. album sales: 25.0 million
Top charting song: Legs (1984)
Top charting album: Eliminator (1983)

Iron Maiden

Tickets sold: 9.2 million
Est. concert gross: $475.8 million
Certified U.S. album sales: 6.5 million
Top charting song: N/A
Top charting album: Piece Of Mind (1983)

Depeche Mode

Tickets sold: 9.2 million
Est. concert gross: $573.3 million
Certified U.S. album sales: 10.5 million
Top charting song: Enjoy the Silence (1990)
Top charting album: Violator (1990)

Alan Jackson

Tickets sold: 9.4 million
Est. concert gross: $316.5 million
Certified U.S. album sales: 43.5 million
Top charting song: It's Five O'Clock Somewhere (with Jimmy Buffett) (2003)
Top charting album: A Lot About Livin' (And a Little 'Bout Love) (1992)

Beyoncé

Tickets sold: 9.4 million
Est. concert gross: $1.0 billion
Certified U.S. album sales: 29.5 million
Top charting song: Irreplaceable (2006)
Top charting album: Beyonce (2013)

Taylor Swift

Tickets sold: 9.6 million
Est. concert gross: $925.0 million
Certified U.S. album sales: 49.0 million
Top charting song: Shake It Off (2014)
Top charting album: 1989 (2014)

KISS

Tickets sold: 9.9 million
Est. concert gross: $532.4 million
Certified U.S. album sales: 21.0 million
Top charting song: Beth/Detroit Rock City (1976)
Top charting album: Alive (1975)

Journey

Tickets sold: 10.0 million
Est. concert gross: $470.9 million
Certified U.S. album sales: 49.0 million
Top charting song: When You Love a Woman (1996)
Top charting album: Journey's Greatest Hits (1988)

Paul McCartney

Tickets sold: 10.5 million
Est. concert gross: $1.2 billion
Certified U.S. album sales: 15.5 million
Top charting song: Say Say Say (with Michael Jackson) (1983)
Top charting album: McCartney (1970)

Celine Dion

Tickets sold: 10.9 million
Est. concert gross: $1.4 billion
Certified U.S. album sales: 53.0 million
Top charting song: Because You Loved Me (1996)
Top charting album: Falling Into You (1996)

Eagles

Tickets sold: 11.0 million
Est. concert gross: $1.3 billion
Certified U.S. album sales: 120.0 million
Top charting song: Take It to the Limit (1975)
Top charting album: Hell Freezes Over (1976)

Garth Brooks

Tickets sold: 11.2 million
Est. concert gross: $319.2 million
Certified U.S. album sales: 157.0 million
Top charting song: Wrapped Up in You (2001)
Top charting album: No Fences (1990)

Def Leppard

Tickets sold: 11.3 million
Est. concert gross: $514.2 million
Certified U.S. album sales: 35.5 million
Top charting song: Pour Some Sugar on Me (1988)
Top charting album: Hysteria (1987)

AC/DC

Tickets sold: 11.5 million
Est. concert gross: $668.4 million
Certified U.S. album sales: 75.0 million
Top charting song: Moneytalks (1990)
Top charting album: Back In Black (1980)

Madonna

Tickets sold: 11.7 million
Est. concert gross: $1.4 billion
Certified U.S. album sales: 64.5 million
Top charting song: Take a Bow (1994)
Top charting album: Madonna (1983)

Ed Sheeran

Tickets sold: 11.9 million
Est. concert gross: $968.9 million
Certified U.S. album sales: 14.0 million
Top charting song: Shape of You (2017)
Top charting album: ÷· (2017)

Tim McGraw

Tickets sold: 12.3 million
Est. concert gross: $679.9 million
Certified U.S. album sales: 37.5 million
Top charting song: It's Your Love (with Faith Hill) (1997)
Top charting album: Not a Moment Too Soon (1994)

George Strait

Tickets sold: 12.3 million
Est. concert gross: $631.3 million
Certified U.S. album sales: 69.0 million
Top charting song: She'll Leave You With a Smile (2002)
Top charting album: Pure Country (Soundtrack) (2004)

Coldplay

Tickets sold: 12.5 million
Est. concert gross: $1.0 billion
Certified U.S. album sales: 14.5 million
Top charting song: Viva La Vida (2008)
Top charting album: A Rush Of Blood to the Head (2002)

Neil Diamond

Tickets sold: 12.9 million
Est. concert gross: $629.3 million
Certified U.S. album sales: 49.5 million
Top charting song: Love on the Rocks (1980)
Top charting album: The Jazz Singer (Soundtrack) (1980)

Rod Stewart

Tickets sold: 13.2 million
Est. concert gross: $796.1 million
Certified U.S. album sales: 38.0 million
Top charting song: Tonight's the Night (Gonna Be Alright) (1976)
Top charting album: Out of Order (1988)

Jimmy Buffett

Tickets sold: 13.3 million
Est. concert gross: $574.6 million
Certified U.S. album sales: 23.0 million
Top charting song: Margaritaville (1977)
Top charting album: Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes (1977)

Aerosmith

Tickets sold: 13.3 million
Est. concert gross: $603.2 million
Certified U.S. album sales: 69.5 million
Top charting song: Cryin' (1993)
Top charting album: Get a Grip (1993)

Phish

Tickets sold: 13.5 million
Est. concert gross: $595.9 million
Certified U.S. album sales: 5.5 million
Top charting song: N/A
Top charting album: Farmhouse (2000)

Trans-Siberian Orchestra

Tickets sold: 15.3 million
Est. concert gross: $769.0 million
Certified U.S. album sales: 8.5 million
Top charting song: N/A
Top charting album: The Lost Christmas Eve (2004)

Grateful Dead

Tickets sold: 15.5 million
Est. concert gross: $333.4 million
Certified U.S. album sales: 19.5 million
Top charting song: Touch of Grey (1987)
Top charting album: In the Dark (1987)

Kenny Chesney

Tickets sold: 16.4 million
Est. concert gross: $1.1 billion
Certified U.S. album sales: 35.0 million
Top charting song: The Good Stuff (2002)
Top charting album: No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems (2002)

Billy Joel

Tickets sold: 17.0 million
Est. concert gross: $1.2 billion
Certified U.S. album sales: 86.0 million
Top charting song: The River of Dreams (1993)
Top charting album: The Stranger (2001)

Bon Jovi

Tickets sold: 17.8 million
Est. concert gross: $1.3 billion
Certified U.S. album sales: 34.5 million
Top charting song: Always (1994)
Top charting album: Slippery When Wet (1986)

Metallica

Tickets sold: 19.5 million
Est. concert gross: $1.2 billion
Certified U.S. album sales: 63.0 million
Top charting song: Enter Sandman (1991)
Top charting album: Metallica (1991)

Elton John

Tickets sold: 19.8 million
Est. concert gross: $1.7 billion
Certified U.S. album sales: 79.0 million
Top charting song: Cold Heart (PNAU Remix) (with Dua Lipa) (2021)
Top charting album: Diamonds (2017)

Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band

Tickets sold: 20.8 million
Est. concert gross: $1.5 billion
Certified U.S. album sales: 71.0 million
Top charting song: Dancing in the Dark (1984)
Top charting album: Born in the U.S.A. (1984)

The Rolling Stones

Tickets sold: 22.1 million
Est. concert gross: $2.2 billion
Certified U.S. album sales: 66.5 million
Top charting song: Start Me Up (1981)
Top charting album: Some Girls (1972)

Dave Matthews Band

Tickets sold: 23.3 million
Est. concert gross: $1.1 billion
Certified U.S. album sales: 34.5 million
Top charting song: The Space Between (2001)
Top charting album: Crash (1996)

U2

Tickets sold: 26.2 million
Est. concert gross: $2.1 billion
Certified U.S. album sales: 51.0 million
Top charting song: Beautiful Day (2000)
Top charting album: The Joshua Tree (1987)