KING OF THE ROAD: Billy Joel was...

KING OF THE ROAD: Billy Joel was the top U.S. pop concert attraction for the first half of 1990, according Pollstar magazine, a leading industry trade publication.

With 47 shows at the mid-year point, Joel had grossed $22.8 million, barely nudging out Aerosmith ($21.2 million from 82 shows), New Kids on the Block ($19.7 million from 67 shows) and Paul McCartney ($18.9 million from only 20 shows).

Pop queens Janet Jackson and Madonna came in fifth and seventh, respectively, with their ballyhooed big-production tours taking totals of $17.9 million from 53 shows and $16 million from 32. McCartney had the biggest per-show average, with $945,000, as well as the single-highest grossing engagement: $3.5 million for two concerts at UC Berkeley Stadium.

“The first quarter of the year is probably the best time the business has seen in its history,” said Pollstar news editor Elizabeth Breen. “But the summer’s looking a little weak and a lot of people are anticipating the fall’s going to be really soft. There was such a glut of talent at the beginning of the year and I don’t think you’re going to see that in the fall.”