As a teenager, did you ever wish that Aerosmith or the Stones could play at your birthday party? Your wish may just be granted now that superstars are willing to play at your soiree – or your daughter’s sweet sixteen party – just as long as you can meet their asking price.

George Michael – $3 Million an Hour?!

Last New Year’s Eve, British pop star George Michael flew to Russia to serenade a few hundred guest of Vladimir Potanin, a mining and lumber tycoon. The gig was 75 minutes and Michael was back to London by lunchtime. It’s estimated that he made $3 million an hour.

Potanin isn’t the only Russian magnate partying down with a rock star. Andrei Melnichenko, paid Christina Aguilera a reported $1.5 million to sing at his September 2005 wedding.

Aguilera, comedian Robin Williams, and singer Bette Midler entertained at the 84th birthday party of Joe Hardy, founder of 84 Lumber. Williams, who fetches $1 million a night, joined the Rolling Stones, and John Mellencamp at the 2002 birthday party for David Bonderman, co-founder of Texas Pacific Group. The reported price of the affair was $10 million.

$10 Million for a Teenager’s Birthday Bash

In 2005, David H. Brooks, a defense contractor in Long Island, N.Y., hired 50 Cent, Aerosmith, Don Henley, Tom Petty, Stevie Nicks and Ciara, for his daughter Elizabeth’s bat mitzvah. The bill? About $10 million.

Robert Norman, the head of the corporate and private events division for Creative Artists Agency, said many acts such as Seal, Hall & Oates, Styx and the Go-Go’s charge $100,000 to $200,000 for corporate events. Entertainer’s fees depend on several factors, such as where the party is held, and includes transportation, lodging, a production team, celebrity handlers, equipment and staging, and any additional rider requirements the entertainer asks for.

Cheap Trick – A “Cheap Trick” at $100K

The Who and Tina Turner charge $2 million, while Jimmy Buffett goes for $1 million to $1.5 million a night. More affordable acts include Jerry Lee Lewis at $125,000, the Beach Boys at $150,000 to $200,000, and Cheap Trick at $100,000 to $125,000.

Superstars secretly moonlighting as wedding singers? It’s rare to find an artist who won’t at least consider an offer. While it’s known that U2 and Bruce Springsteen won’t do private or corporate gigs, well respected artists like Bob Dylan and Elvis Costello will. It’s hard for artists to say no, especially when someone is willing to pay them more than what they make in weeks of touring.

Been to a corporate bash or private party where you were entertained by top-rate talent? Email us at tips@heliumreport.com. We’d love to hear about it.