Re-Forming

The lure of concert-ticket cash, merchandise, and associated sponsorship deals is enough to tempt the most unlikely bands out of retirement. Mötley Crüe, Take That, Rage Against the Machine, Genesis, the Police, the Stone Roses, the Osmonds, and Fleetwood Mac have all re-formed and have toured or are planning to tour. It is interesting that none of these acts has released any new material, nor are they planning to. The immense earning potential of a quick world tour involves nothing more than rehearsing all your old material.

These reunion tours are a huge boost for the associated live business as well. The Police tour alone grossed over $350 million;⁴ on top of that, you still have bands such as the Rolling Stones bringing in $138.5 million for 39 shows.