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the tour is expected to earn more than $200 million

It seemingly has become impossible for these has-beens to fade away since the money they make touring is so astronomical. According to Rolling Stone it has quadrupled in the last decade and 85-90% of it goes to the performers as opposed to 15-20% for CDs. Here are the richest rock stars in 2005 according to Rolling Stone. Not the prevalence of the geezer rockers.

1. U2 - 139 million
2. Rolling Stones - 92.5 mil - short tour
3. Eagles - 63.2 mil
4. Paul McCartney - 56 mil
5. Elton John - 48.9 mil
6. Neil Diamond - 44.7 mil
7. Jimmy Buffet - 44 mil
8. Rod Stewart (oh, come on!) - 40.3 mil
9. Dave Mathews - ?
10. Celine Dion - ?

There were only a few rap artists in the top 20 or 40 richest.

The "geezers" are doing well because there are so few stepping up to take their place, and also because music is becoming more of a niche market. It's more difficult to be a big "rock" star per se. It's easier to be well known for, say, the "goth" subset of rock....but that is popularity amongst a minority.

Secondly, music is becoming more democratic over time - the cost of entry into the market has fallen dramatically, and the money to be made is likely to become more "diffuse" as well.

To conclude, the era of the big rock star is coming to a close. We can be thankful for this.

Regards, Ivan