Rolling Stones Tour Passes U2 To Become Most Successful Ever

The Rolling Stones' A Bigger Bang tour is already the most lucrative in history, and it looks like it will continue into 2007.

The Stones have grossed $437 million U.S. since last fall, as the veteran British rock band have drawn 3.5 million people to 113 shows, according to Billboard Boxscore. An estimated two million people also saw them perform at Copacabana Beach in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil in February.

U2's Vertigo tour grossed more than $333 million from March 28, 2005 to March 2, 2006, and the band's 10 make-up shows this month will take their total to 121 concerts with an estimated gross of $377 million. That eclipses the Stones' 1994-95 Voodoo Lounge tour, which had revenues of $320 million.

Both U2 and the Stones' tours were promoted by Toronto's Michael Cohl, who told Billboard.com that Mick Jagger and company could extend their band's record to $500 million.

"I don't think we're done. There are still a lot of cancellations in Europe that the band feel obligated to try and make up. So I wouldn't be surprised if it keeps going next year."

A Bigger Bang has undergone both postponements and cancellations due to Keith Richards' brain surgery and throat problems for Jagger, but the aging rockers show few signs of wanting to stop padding their bank accounts. Director Martin Scorsese is making a concert documentary on the band that should be in theatres late next year.