The on-going battle between mega-promoter Michael Cohl and Live Nation Entertainment now threatens to engulf one of the concert industry's all-time biggest acts, the Rolling Stones.

Late last year, Live Nation sued Cohl, its former chairman, for $5.35 million for allegedly breaching his 2008 exit contract. Terms of that arrangement called for Cohl to sign a limited non-compete agreement that reined him into only promoting concerts for certain acts with whom he has deep ties, such as the Stones, Barbra Streisand, Pink Floyd and Genesis.

The new Martin Scorcese-directed Rolling Stones concert film, "Shine A Light", will be released in a record 93 IMAX theaters domestically this Friday, April 4, simultaneously with the film's wide release in traditional theaters. The picture will also be released in IMAX theaters internationally during the days and weeks following the domestic launch. Countries include Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the UK.

"IMAX puts you right in the center of every action and every move - it's as if you are right there on stage with the band," Scorsese said in a statement. "I've always loved looking at IMAX, but to see these images of the Rolling Stones on the biggest canvas is something else all together." The movie was filmed, using 17 cinematographers, at the Beacon Theatre in New York in the fall of 2006 at a 60th birthday celebration of President Bill Clinton.

By Jane Cohen and Bob Grossweiner

They may tell us you can’t always get what you want, but veteran rockers the Rolling Stones have no problem getting exactly what they want.


Thanks to the band’s top-grossing Bigger Bang Tour, which took root in fall 2005 and ended this summer, the sexagenarian rockers top Forbes’ Top-Earning Musicians list with estimated earnings of $88 million from June 2006 to June 2007. The Stones’ haul pulled rank over Jay-Z, Madonna, Bon Jovi and Elton John, among others. All earnings are from entertainment income only.



Music mogul and president of Def Jam Recordings Jay-Z hit the #2 spot with $83 million in earnings. He’s returned to the studio to record his first concept album, inspired by the upcoming movie American Gangster, due out in early November.

Motherhood certainly has not slowed the Material Girl. Coming in at #3 with total earnings of $72 million, her "Confessions," tour pulled in more than 1 million fans. Madonna made history with the tour’s $194 million gross, making it the highest grossing tour by a female artist. New Jersey rockers Bon Jovi landed at #4 with $67 million in earnings. The band’s “Have A Nice Day” tour grossed $110 million last year.

The Rolling Stones and The Who are denying reports that they are signed up for the Live Earth concerts.