Initial on-sales for Rod Stewart`s upcoming tour are running about 20 percent ahead of his last North American tour in 2004, according to his agent, Dennis Arfa, president of Artists Group International. The 2004 tour grossed $37 million. Stewart took in about $50 million last year.
Rod will play about 65 dates in North America beginning Jan. 12 in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.
Arfa attributes Stewart`s strong sales to his “icon” status. “He is also one of the few artist in his age bracket where record sales have made a difference,” Arfa tells Billboard.biz.