Los Angeles - Concert promoter and venue owner Live Nation (NYSE: LYV) gave up equity stakes to performers including U2, Jay-Z and Madonna when it signed lucrative "360 deals" with them that includes recording, touring and merchandise, the Los Angeles Times reported, citing a regulatory filing.

U2 received 1.56 million shares -- or about 2.1% of Live Nation, currently worth around $18.5 million -- as part of its 12-year deal with the company.

Jay-Z received about 775,000 shares, with an option to purchase another 500,000, while Madonna received 1.7 million shares.

Other artists who signed 360 deals with Live Nation, such as Shakira and Nickelback, did not receive shares in the company, according to the Times.

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http://snipurl.com/4jlsn (Los Angeles Times)