12/8/25 Page 2
POLLSTAR - the live entertainment industry's trusted authority for in-depth data and box office reporting, has unveiled its exclusive release of the 25 MOST POPULAR TOURING ARTISTS OF THE MILLENNIUM chart. It covers all reported and estimated ticket sales from January 1, 2001, through the close of the 2025 chart year (November 18, 2025). Top 10 Rank / Artist / Tickets Sold / Total Gross: 1 - Coldplay - 24,805,126 - $2,486,330,250. 2 - U2 - 20,216,314 - $2,187,175,842. 3 - Ed Sheeran - 19,615,334 - $1,747,549,307. 4 - Dave Matthews Band - 19,552,586 - $1,126,711,752. 5 - Taylor Swift - 18,885,185 - $3,126,217,400. 6 - Bruce Springsteen - 18,622,566 - $2,016,611,312. 7 - Kenny Chesney - 18,198,369v$1,357,983,712. 8 - METALLICA - 15,567,194 - $1,456,399,805. 9 - BON JOVI - 13,904,391 - $1,286,252,048. 10 - Elton John - 13,840,415 - $1,764,832,667. No. 11 through 25 includes The Rolling Stones, GUNS N' ROSES, Eagles, IRON MAIDEN, Roger Waters, Paul McCartney and others. More details at news.pollstar.com.
Late guitar legend RANDY RHOADS, best known for his work with Ozzy Osbourne, would have turned 69 years-old on December 6. Extreme guitarist and longtime HardRadio friend NUNO BETTENCOURT shared the message below via social media in tribute to Rhoads: "Happy heavenly 69th birthday to one of the greatest guitarists to ever do it. How lethal of a guitarist, composer and performer do you have to be to change the world of guitar playing, influence a generation, and leave a legacy on the epicness of only 2 albums? Most guitarists need a lifetime of album releases to leave the abundance of riffs, solos and songs that you gifted us on Blizzard and Diary. The combination of your fierce and gentle approach to playing separated you from the pack. I would not be the guitarist I'm still striving to be today without your genius and passion. [] Give Ozzy a big hug for us..."
Very longtime HardRadio friends IRON MAIDEN is now taking a step into the world of exclusive distillates with THE RUM OF THE ANCIENT MARINER. Inspired by the epic story of "The Rime Of The Ancient Mariner" - a cornerstone of heavy metal history from the band's iconic album Powerslave (1984). This premium rum from the Caribbean is a carefully selected blend of rums from Jamaica and Barbados, aged in oak barrels according to the traditional Petites Eaux method to enhance flavor and character. The result is a soft and complex character of 40% vol.
