The Rolling Stones' "A Bigger Bang" world tour was the top-earning live extravaganza of the first half of 2006. Despite being forced to rearrange the European leg of their tour after guitarist Keith Richards fell out of a tree in April, the hitmakers earned $147.3 million.

Irish rockers U2 were the second highest earners with the $73 million generated by their "Vertigo" live shows before an illness in guitarist The Edge's family forced them to rearrange Pacific dates in March.

American rockers Bon Jovi took $65 million, while Billy Joel and Cirque du Soleil's Delirium round out the top five with $47.4 million and $38.7 million respectively.

The top ten earners are as follows:

1. The Rolling Stones - $147.3 Million
2. U2 - $73 Million
3. Bon Jovi - $65 Million
4. Billy Joel - $47.4 Million
5. Cirque Du Soleil's Delirium - $38.7 Million
6. Aerosmith - $35 Million
7. Coldplay - $29 Million
8. Luis Miguel - $25 Million
9. Trans Siberian Orchestra - $24 Million
10. Paul McCartney - $17.6 Million