Longevity has certainly paid off for The Rolling Stones and U2.
A new report from Pollstar pegs the iconic British and Irish rock bands as the only live acts to gross more than $2 billion in ticket sales since the early-'80s.
Pollstar issued the report for ticket grosses and ticket sales in celebration of its 40th year of analyzing box office reports. The report included headlining shows only, omitting festival appearances and support gigs.
The Rolling Stones topped the gross sales chart, ranking third for total ticket sales, having earned roughly $2.16 billion on 22.1 million tickets sold since 1981.
U2 ranked one spot behind the Stones in ticket grosses at $2.12 billion but first place in the number of tickets sold with a staggering 26.1 million since 1981.
Other rock acts in Pollstar's top 20 for gross sales include (from highest rank to lowest) Elton John at No. 3 (with $1.7 billion), Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, Bon Jovi, Eagles, Metallica, Paul McCartney, Billy Joel, Dave Matthews Band, Roger Waters and Rod Stewart.
The top 20 in total tickets sold (from highest to lowest) includes DMB at No. 2, Springsteen and the E Street Band, Elton John, Metallica, Bon Jovi, Billy Joel, Grateful Dead, Phish, Aerosmith, Rod Stewart and Neil Diamond.
You can view the full chart here.