Michael Jackson “made more from O2 shows than from Thriller”
Sounds like an outlandish headline, sure, but we were chatting to a promoter the other day, and they made a throwaway remark that Michael Jackson probably made more money in three days last week from ticket sales for his gigs at The O2 than he did from his Thriller album.
Their working went thus: Thriller sold 45 million albums worldwide, and according to the promoter, Jacko would have got on average no more than £1 per album – so £45 million in total. But 50 nights times 20,000 people times £75 equals £75 million, which even at a conservative estimate of an 80:20 split with promoter AEG is £60 million for the King of Pop.
One of the flaws in this logic is the fact that only the top-priced tickets were £75 for The O2 gigs, although that may be balanced by the fact that Jackson may be on an 85:15 or even 90:10 split, trousering him even more loot. Of course, the star made a lot more money from Thriller indirectly too – think of the tours, the sponsorships…
Still, as headline figures go, it’s not bad for 50 nights work…
Tags: michael jackson, o2, thriller, tickets
March 16th, 2009 at 11:04 pm
Thriller has sold 100million copies worldwide. Still, you make a good point. those who questioned jacksons ability to sell out the o2 must be eating crow.
March 18th, 2009 at 7:21 am
Michael Jackson is a Legend, great, untouchable and brilliant.
March 18th, 2009 at 7:09 pm
80% of gross turnover is not what Jackson “makes” and not comparable to the royalties he collected on Thirller.
You have to deduct sales tax, collection fee for ticketing before the 80/20 split plus actual concert costs and other costs payable by him – he probably ends up with about 25 to 35 million before personal income taxes