Why should McCartney care what Yoko thinks – he made $98.8 million out of his US tour this year making him the highest grossing live act in America, according to end of year stats from Billboard. He grossed a further $27.5 million from dates in Mexico and Japan.
Commenting on his recent touring McCartney told reporters yesterday. "I'm thrilled with the success of this tour, but I'm also pleased that we had so much fun doing the tour. I'd like to thank the band, our crew and all the crowds who helped to make it fun. We originally set out to play only a few weeks of gigs but it all grew to become something very special to me. So now we're looking at taking this show to new places for new fun in 2003."
McCartney faces tough competition from The Rolling Stones though. Their promoter Michael Cohl chose not to make public total box office takings, but insiders reckon they must has grossed $90 million to date.
Other big tourers of 2002 in the US include Cher (grossing $67.6 million), Billy Joel and Elton John (whose joint tour grossed $66 million), Neil Diamond ($52.2 million), Britney Spears ($43.7 million), Aerosmith ($36.3 million), the Eagles ($34.9 million), 'N Sync ($33 million), Who ($28.6 million), Barry Manilow ($23.9 million), Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band ($22.2 million), and Blink-182/Green Day ($20 million).