Food for thought--top selling artists of 2007

[Ken Walker]

Forbes just released their list of the top ten grossing artists of 2007. The list might surprise some people. Gross totals are based on gross music sales and touring income.

The Police--$142.3 million
Josh Groban--$104.6 million (holiday CD was best-selling of the year)
Kenny Chesney--$96.2 million
Justin Timberlake--$95.7 million
Miley Cyrus--$87.4 million (for those of you without pre-teen girls at home, that's Hannah Montana)
Tim McGraw--$85.3 million (touring with his hot wife probably helped that)
Rascal Flatts--$84.2 million (most overall music sales)
Celine Dion--$82.7 million
Van Halen--$63.8 million
Rod Stewart--$59.3 million

Anything surprising about this list?

[audiovisceral]

loved the police at al gore fest.

but wait, that's gross, not net? gross means nothing...

[YZ!]

Originally Posted by audiovisceral

loved the police at al gore fest.

but wait, that's gross, not net? gross means nothing...

Depends on what you're looking for.

Gross means how much the public spent, which is a valid measure of an artist's market. Of course, more data is needed for a proper assessment.

[Ken Walker]

What surprised me was that even though big labels seem to market to the younger crowds (i.e. 12-18 year old girls), there are some older acts that have real staying power and appeal. Besides Timberlake and Miley Cyrus (and maybe Rascal Flatts), who else on that list would seem to be the type to attract the under 23 crowd?

I teach in a racially mixed high school (hey, gotta have a day job to pay for the gear). There are kids walking the halls with tee shirts that say The Doors, Led Zepplin, Eric Clapton, Lynard Skinnard, AC/DC, Jimi Hendricks, and various rap artists. Other than a few Hannah Montana items, none of the young divas or boy bands get much attention. I have students ask me if I even heard of bands like Yes, ELP, Chicago, EW&F, old Motown music, etc. They hear what their parents hear and say how good the old music is.

When 16 year olds come to me and say that the Roger Waters concert blew away anything they've seen all year, I wonder if someone has missed something along the way. Rod Stewart number 10 on the list? I was surprised.

[Sid Viscous]

Originally Posted by kpaw

What surprised me was that even though big labels seem to market to the younger crowds (i.e. 12-18 year old girls), there are some older acts that have real staying power and appeal. Besides Timberlake and Miley Cyrus (and maybe Rascal Flatts), who else on that list would seem to be the type to attract the under 23 crowd?

I teach in a racially mixed high school (hey, gotta have a day job to pay for the gear). There are kids walking the halls with tee shirts that say The Doors, Led Zepplin, Eric Clapton, Lynard Skinnard, AC/DC, Jimi Hendricks, and various rap artists. Other than a few Hannah Montana items, none of the young divas or boy bands get much attention. I have students ask me if I even heard of bands like Yes, ELP, Chicago, EW&F, old Motown music, etc. They hear what their parents hear and say how good the old music is.

When 16 year olds come to me and say that the Roger Waters concert blew away anything they've seen all year, I wonder if someone has missed something along the way. Rod Stewart number 10 on the list? I was surprised.

I personally listen to more new music than old music and my kids still like Sabbath and Bowie. The "industry" is putting limitations on music that the kids don't. I believe that the labels are starting to understand that they need music to sell to people over 25.

[chetatkinsdiet]

where are the stones on the list? Was their tour not enough of 07 to make it? I guess the bulk of their latest tour was in 07. I can't even remember. THey tour for so long, the start to run together. I think I saw 3-4 shows on the last one and about 5 stops on the most recent.

m

[astronmr20]

It also shows how the traditional "record" and it's subsequent sales have taken quite a hit in lieu of touring and merchandising.

My old band was able to negotiate a situation where they retained 100% of their merch sales. They are essentially buying their houses and living off of that. Their advances eventually get paid off, but recorded mediums themselves- CD's in particular, are a high risk for labels to dump $200,000 into these days.

They know that folks will always show up at their shows, so it's a perfect situation for them, despite getting very little radio airplay in the 'states. They are making tons more cash in-pocket than the newer people on traditional deals who are getting enormous advances (debt).

[m. chan]

Van Halen? really? How did they make that this year? are they even touring yet? I cant believe that Eddie's son playing bass and ex-ambulance driver david could help bring them into the top 10. I believe Celine Dion made it though, her vegas show was really popular

[BevvyB]

75% of all the people making huge money on tours in 07 were over 30

[djsandman]

Originally Posted by kpaw

I teach in a racially mixed high school (hey, gotta have a day job to pay for the gear). There are kids walking the halls with tee shirts that say The Doors, Led Zepplin, Eric Clapton, Lynard Skinnard, AC/DC, Jimi Hendricks, and various rap artists. Other than a few Hannah Montana items, none of the young divas or boy bands get much attention. I have students ask me if I even heard of bands like Yes, ELP, Chicago, EW&F, old Motown music, etc. They hear what their parents hear and say how good the old music is.

When 16 year olds come to me and say that the Roger Waters concert blew away anything they've seen all year, I wonder if someone has missed something along the way. Rod Stewart number 10 on the list? I was surprised.

I'm actually a little surprised that kids are coming up to you and expressing how they enjoy the classics. I play in a weekly poker game with some highschool teachers and one of them told me a story about how he saw a girl wearing a T-shirt with The Rolling Stones' logo on it.
He commented about the shirt to the girl and the conversation went something like...
Teacher: "The Rolling Stones, all right!"
The girl looking puzzled: "What?"
Teacher: "The Rolling Stones... on your shirt..."
The girl: "umm..... what's the Rolling Stones?"
The teacher: "They are a rock band."
The girl: "Oh, I just liked the tounge!"

[Joerogers1970]

My 15 and 7 yr olds both started playing guitar in the last year. Both are into the heavy metal stuff but they love some of the classics. Where did they hear them you ask? In the car with dad - Yes but where they grew to like them:

The Video Game - Guitar Hero. Boston, Sabbath, Stones, Bowie. A ton of great songs on those those games.

I knew that it was a hit when my 15 yr old brought his real guitar into the media room to try to play along with the game.

Also, when my wife and I go to concerts now, we sometimes bring the kids. The first time we did this, we figured that people would be looking at us like we were crazy but no. There are a ton of kids at "old folks" concerts. The lawn is usually at least 1/4 kids under 18 for shows like Roger Waters, Steeley Dan, Journey, etc...

[narcoman]

the money has always been in selling to those with disposable income. Just that the NME and all that sell to the kids - us old guys dont need to be sold to!

[JimmyM]

Originally Posted by m. chan

Van Halen? really? How did they make that this year? are they even touring yet? I cant believe that Eddie's son playing bass and ex-ambulance driver david could help bring them into the top 10. I believe Celine Dion made it though, her vegas show was really popular

If Van Halen had started touring at the beginning of 07 instead of October 07, they probably would have had the highest grossing tour. Not only did they sell out every single venue, the ticket prices were almost as outrageous as the Police's.