A countdown of the most epic tour dates...
Holly Frith

10:40 9th February 2012

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One of the most essential parts of being in a band is touring, and putting on a show that will make your fans want to come back again and again. Over the years there have been some mammoth tours that have taken in mind boggling amounts of money.

There have also been tours that have gone on for so long that it seems bands have taken over the world with incidents from the gigs hitting headlines over the years they take place.

It was reported earlier this year that Lady Gaga is to embark on the biggest ever tour for a musician with 450 dates across the world (now clearly untrue), we have created a countdown of the longest ever world tours.

With The Rolling Stones featuring twice, U2 and Cher all on the list. Touring continually since 7 June 1988, there is one man who is still on his ‘Never Ending Tour’ tour.

Click through to see the biggest names in music and their lengthy tour commitments.

  • 20 – Bruce Springsteen, Working On A Dream Tour (2009). Gross: $167million. Attendance: 1.8million.

  • 19 – U2, PopMart Tour (1997-98). Gross: $171million. Attendance: 3.9million.

  • 18 – Madonna, Confessions Tour (2006). Gross: $194million. Attendance: 1.2million.

  • 17 – Bon Jovi, Circle Tour (2010). Gross: $201million. Attendance: 1.9million.

  • 16 – Bon Jovi, Lost Highway Tour (2007-08). Gross: $210million. Attendance: 2.1million.

  • 15 – Metallica, Death Magnetic Tour (2008-10). Gross: $217million. Attendance: 2.6million.

  • 14 – Bruce Springsteen, The Rising Tour (2002-03). Gross: $221million. Attendance: 3.2million.

  • 13 – Bruce Springsteen, Magic Tour (2007-08). Gross: $235million. Attendance: 2.1million.

  • 12 – Eagles, Long Road Out Of Eden Tour (2008-10). Gross: $251million. Attendance: 2million.

  • 11 – Cher, Living Proof: The Farewell Tour (2002-05). Gross: $260million. Attendance: 3.5million.

  • 10 – Celine Dion, Celine Dion Taking Chances Tour (2008-09). Gross: $279million. Attendance: 3million.

  • 9 – The Rolling Stones, Licks Tour! (2002-03). Gross: $299millio. Attendance: 3.4million.

  • 8 – The Rolling Stones, Voodoo Lounge Tour (1994-95). Gross: $316million. Attendance: 6.3million.

  • 7 – The Rolling Stones, Bridges To Babylon Tour / No Security Tour (1997-99). Gross: $336milolion. Attendance: 5.5million.

  • 6 – The Police, The Police Reunion Tour (2007-08). Gross: $358million. Attendance: 3.3million.

  • 5 - U2, Vertigo Tour (2005-06). Gross: $389million. Attendance: 4.6million.

  • 4 %u2013 Madonna, Sticky & Sweet Tour (2008-09). Gross: $400million. Attendance: 3.5million.

  • 3 – AC/DC, Black Ice Tour (2008-10). Gross: $441million. Attendance: 4.8million.

  • 2 – The Rolling Stones, A Bigger Bang Tour! (2005-07). Gross: $558million. Attendance: 4.6million.

  • 1 – U2, 360 Degree Tour (2009-11). Gross: $558million. Attendance: 7million.

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Photo: WENN.com