Madonna tops Billboard's newly released list of the year's highest-grossing tours. From Nov. 9, 2011, to Nov. 13, 2012, the 54-year-old singer took the number one spot with 72 sold-out MDNA Tour shows, earning $228.4 million.
Performing to 1,635,176 fans, Madonna repeatedly caused controversy over the course of the tour. From showing up more than three hours late to her Miami show, to waving replica guns at a Denver concert in the wake of the Aurora shooting, Madonna definitely pushed boundaries.
Major music industry vets joined Madonna on the tour chart. With higher attendance but lower total gross, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band came in second. The Boss played to crowds totaling 2,165,925 for a gross of $199.3 million. Pink Floyd founder Roger Waters made $186.4 million over 72 shows, while Coldplay performed to 1,811,787 fans for a total of $147.1 million.
Lady Gaga, as well as Jay-Z and Kanye West, missed the top five. Gaga came in at number six, earning $124.8 million for the 65 sold-out shows of her Born This Way Ball Tour. Jay-Z and Kanye West reached number nine. The duo played 31 shows on the Watch the Throne Tour, making $46.9 million.