Springsteen rules concert circuit, Celine takes Vegas

Los Angeles Times

Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band will be crowned 2003's top concert attraction by Pollstar in the magazine's annual ranking of the top 100 North American tours.

The New Jersey rocker grossed $115.9 million from 47 performances in 30 cities, according to the magazine.

Ironically, the tour itinerary for 2003's second highest-grossing concert performer consists of just one city: Las Vegas. Celine Dion played 145 shows that grossed $80.5 million at the Colosseum, a $95 million showcase within Caesar's Palace built expressly for her act.

The rest of the top 10 slots most likely will be occupied by the Eagles, Fleetwood Mac, Cher, Simon & Garfunkel, the joint Aerosmith/Kiss tour, the Dixie Chicks, Billy Joel and Elton John's combo tour, and the Summer Sanitarium hard-rock caravan. Those aren't necessarily in order, because some tour figures won't been finalized until this week.

The full list will appear in Pollstar's Jan. 12 issue.