U2 Supremo!   (at least in the concert world)

U2 is No. 1 when it comes to touring. The band had the highest-grossing tour both in North America and worldwide in 2011.

Bono, the Edge and company grossed $156 million in North America on the strength of 1.7 million tickets sold, according to Pollstar, which covers the concert industry. They grossed $231.9 million worldwide off 2.39 million tickets.

Rounding out the top five highest-grossing touring acts in North America were

Taylor Swift ($97.7 million),

 Kenny Chesney ($84.6 million),

 Lady Gaga ($63.7 million) and

Bon Jovi ($57.1 million).

Did you see any of these gigs?  I’ve only seen U2 once on their PopMart Tour many, many years ago.

As for the worldwide top five, U2 was followed by the reunited Take That  (British Boy Band that I barely remember and they gross $224 million), Bon Jovi ($148.8 million), Swift ($104.2 million) and Roger Waters ($103.6 million).Tickets on U2's "360 Degrees" tour sold for an average of $97.15 worldwide and $91.67 in North America.

The entire concert industry had a 15 percent increase in ticket sales compared with 2010, despite 20 percent fewer reported shows, according to Billboard.

(U2's success in 2011 was bolstered by the rescheduling of postponed concert dates from 2010 due to Bono’s back injury that year).

Here's to OUR wealth, health, and happiness in 2012!  Know you're loved!