Concert Business Remains Strong: Surprisingly, the concert business is hanging in there despite the economy and rising gas prices according to Pollstar. Bon Jovi grossed $56.3 million while Springsteen pulled in $40.8 million. Following Bon Jovi and Springsteen are:

Van Halen ($36.8 million)
Kenny Chesney ($35.3 million)
Michael Bublé ($32.5 million)
Kanye West ($31.6 million)
Jay-Z/Mary J. Blige ($30.7 million)
Rascal Flatts ($25. million)

Sales Record: Coldplay is breaking all kinds of records. Now, ‘Viva La Vida’ is the biggest paid download album in the United States with a sales total of 394,000. Also, Coldplay broke the record for first week pre-orders and first week album tallies on iTunes.

All Grown Up: Check out the article titled ‘A Grown-Up’s Guide To Summer Rock Festivals’ that discusses how concert promoters are beginning to cater to the needs of the older crowd who can afford multiday tickets costing between $150 and $250.

From Record Stores to Bloomingdales: According to Fashion Week Daily, Apple Records has given Bloomingdale’s exclusive rights to Beatles images and the store intends to create a Beatles clothing line. Bloomingdale’s also may sell Beatles iPods (limited edition) which will consist of their whole catalog.

Sales: My Chemical Romance who just released a live CD/DVD titled ‘The Black Parade is Dead!’ only sold 22,693 in its first week.

Shinedown’s new record sold ‘Sound of Madness’ sold 21,927 this week with a total of 72,359. Check out the Devour video here.

Kid Rock shows us that a hit single can still offer a sucker punch. Kid Rock’s ‘Rock N Roll’ Jesus leaped back into the top 10 selling 45,000 this week with a total of 1,102,807. The sales spike is due to the sampling single All Summer Long.

Kings of A&R: After a long extensive trip on the west coast, Kings of A&R will be returning with a crop load of new artists next week. Send new music to tips@kingsofar.com