Priciest Private Performers

American rockers The Eagles made the top of the list of the most expensive private performers.

When they are not performing on stage, many bands collect their “pocket money” from private parties. Only the social crème known how much such performances can cost, since the ‘common people’ will never be able to afford them, even by getting a significant loan.

The reunited Eagles have made their way to the top of the list of the most expensive private performers for earning some four million pounds for performing their legendary Hotel California in New York in 2003. Isn’t that a nice sum?

A bit less expensive were The Rolling Stones, who earned 3.5 million pounds with a performance at the 60^th birthday of Texas mogul David Bonderman in Las Vegas. They are also top of the list of performers with the largest income (a total of 88 million dollars). But the sum of 3.5 million pounds is probably not fixed, considering the special demands of the band, an it is well-known that the Stones are one of the more pedantic crews.

Singer diva Celine Dion is earning a fair salary of 2.5 million pounds, several times a year. Lucky for the client if she does not have special demands, such as when she demanded an entire children’s choir at a concert. And not just any choir. It had to be the best in the area.

Another singing diva, Elton John, earned two million pounds in a single day for singing at the wedding of London mogul Peter Shalson in 2002. Not bad. Regarding demands, Elton falls for flowers and dimmed lights. Only floor lights are accepted, high neon lights are frowned upon.

Russian banker and industrialist Andrei Melnichenko gave his wife as a birthday present a performance by Christina Aguilera, for which he paid her 1.8 million pounds. For his wife’s 30^th birthday he gave her a 40-minute performance by Jennifer Lopez. The price? 700,000 pounds.

Then comes George Michael, a man who had the honor of opening up the new Wembley stadium. He earned 1.75 million pounds in one night. For a new year’s eve night George made almost two million pounds. The opportunity was given to him by a Russian industrialist, Vladimir Potanin.

The bottom of the list is made up of three performers hired by the British boss of the Bhs and Topshop, Philip Green. First he hired Beyonce and Destiny’s Child for 750,000 pounds for his son’s bar mitzvah in 2005. He also hired Tom Jones and Rod Steward for the same amount each. Some stars are really lucky.