Is Garth Brooks bigger than the Beatles? He's getting there

Garth Brooks is obsessed with bigness. Specifically, big numbers. As competitive as anyone in the music biz, the country megastar wants to be No. 1 in as many categories as he can. By some measures, he even tops the Beatles.

Not bad for someone who, in the prime of his career, took the better part of 10 years off from recording and touring to raise his three daughters.

Now, on his first all-stadium tour, the 57-year-old Oklahoman is poised to set another record — for total attendance at a Twin Cities stadium concert engagement — May 3-4 at U.S. Bank Stadium. In all, 140,000 fans are expected to see these sold-out shows, thank in part to Brooks' decision to sell seats behind the stage.

Remember, this is the man who in 1991 generated a staggering 160,000 ticket requests for a single concert at the Minnesota State Fair, and drew more than 200,000 for his 11-show run at Target Center in 2014, and 160,000-plus for his nine shows there in 1998.

Here is a look at some of his Garth-gantuan numbers.

1. The Beatles: 178 million

2. Garth Brooks: 148 million

1. Garth Brooks: 7

2. The Beatles: 6

* More than 10 million sold

1. The Beatles: 16

2. Garth Brooks: 8

1. Garth Brooks: 390 (2014-17)

2. Garth Brooks: 347 (1996-98)

3. Ed Sheeran: 223+ (2017-present)

1. U2: 7.3 million (2009-11)

2. Garth Brooks: 6.4 million (2014-17)

1. Garth Brooks: 11 shows at Target Center, 2014

2. Garth Brooks: 9 shows at Target Center, 1998

3. Prince: 5 shows at St. Paul Civic Center, 1984

1. Garth Brooks: 203,235 (2014)

2. Garth Brooks: 162,833 (1998)

1. Luke Bryan: $73.66

2. Garth Brooks: $74.77 (all tickets cost that price)

3. Kenny Chesney: $88.15

4. Ed Sheeran: $88.96

* Source: Pollstar

1. George Strait: 23

7. Garth Brooks: 13

1. Michael Jackson: 26

6. Garth Brooks: 17

1. Taylor Swift: 23

3. Garth Brooks: 19