Promoters Offer Whole Lotta Loot to Lure Led Zeppelin Back on Stage

From Times Online:

Led Zeppelin could earn well over £100 million if the hard-rock band went on tour next year in the wake of Monday’s triumphant reunion gig. The band are being pursued with offers from both Live Nation and AEG, the rival concert promoters, with each structuring bids in the form of a large upfront payment to lure the band to their venues.

One source said that “AEG put a bid in on the night” - although that could not be confirmed independently – but intense demand, as already seen for Monday’s gig, would probably make a Zeppelin reunion the most sought-after ticket in 2008. It is likely that the four-piece band would be able at least to match the estimated $212 million grossed by The Police for their reunion this year, according to figures compiled by Billboard, the industry magazine.

Typically, promoters and venue owners pay a high proportion of the box office gross to the artist. Industry insiders say that in the UK the proportion can be as high as 95 per cent. In America, the figure can reach as much 110 per cent – the proportion is higher than the box office gross because the venue owner will make money out of food and drink and at least some of the merchandising.

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