Top Selling Artists (U.S. sales figures)

Witchfinder wrote:

How could anyone not know who George Strait is? The dude is a huge legend. I am not particularly a fan of country music but those artists sell a ton of music. In fact, country is still, relatively, healthy sales wise. Further, country as a genre pre-dates rock by decades and thus has a long, long history and tradition.

Haha, I know, it feels strange to not have heard of this guy considering his legenday status. I don't know anything about country music at all. I'm sure I've heard a tune or two by George somewhere, sometime in passing, but never knew the man.

This reminds me of a man on a documentary who was born in New York but had never heard of Elvis until he decided in his 20's he no longer wanted to live the life of a strict Orthodox Jewish Hasid and went out to explore the world.

Shawn Of Fire wrote:

S.D. wrote:

People like Conway Twitty were firmly on the country charts.

Ladies and Gentlemen, Mr. Conway Twitty...

OH YEAH!!! Sorry, I grew up on this stuff and I do like older country music. I think the 80s and Alabama(that's the last country band I liked, before I moved on) are the cutoff for me.

S.D. wrote:

Gene probably didn't want to pay the auditor's fees for getting certified.

http://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinum.php?content_selector=certification

You have to use a 3rd Party Accounting Firm to verify the sales before the RIAA will certify them as "valid".

we have a winner!!!

chewie wrote:

Shawn Of Fire wrote:

S.D. wrote:

People like Conway Twitty were firmly on the country charts.

OH YEAH!!! Sorry, I grew up on this stuff and I do like older country music. I think the 80s and Alabama(that's the last country band I liked, before I moved on) are the cutoff for me.

I enjoy some 90's country, like Garth Brooks and George Strait, but I rarely listen to country though.

man, in my part of Texas country is king. Metal bands that come here (even bands like anthrax and megadeth...never selling out) play small halls or clubs and country bands play the coliseum and sell out. I like outlaw country alot..Hank jr., Waylon, willie, haggard, etc..
Some rock music like the eagles, Linda Ronstadt, Bob Seger and most southern rock is cousins with outlaw country.

Eyesore wrote:

DeathCult wrote:

smurfing Billy Joel is in the top ten?

That surprises you?

Not surprises, but he is terrible, so it's disappointing.

I would love to see a chart of Worldwide sales. It would be interesting to see the change in numbers and artists (for instance, the Beach Boys have sold about 22 million in the US, but over 100+ million worldwide and the Rolling Stones of 66 million in the US versus 200+ million worldwide). Wonder how many artists would exit this list and how many would come up.

at least the New Kids are not on this list...

GrandNational wrote:

I would love to see a chart of Worldwide sales. It would be interesting to see the change in numbers and artists (for instance, the Beach Boys have sold about 22 million in the US, but over 100+ million worldwide and the Rolling Stones of 66 million in the US versus 200+ million worldwide). Wonder how many artists would exit this list and how many would come up.

According to Wikipedia's article on the subject:

(All sales numbers in millions; first is certified sales, second is range of estimated sales.)

1. The Beatles (248.8 ) (600-1000)
2. Elvis Presley (203.3) (600-1000)
3. Michael Jackson (155.9) (350-750)
4. Madonna (157.9) (275-300)
5. Elton John (153) (250-300)
6. Led Zeppelin (133.4) (200-300)
7. Queen (90) (150-300)
8. ABBA (54.4) (200-300)
9. Mariah Carey (118.4) (200)
10. Celine Dion (111.4) (200)
11. Pink Floyd (110.2) (200)
12. AC/DC (99.9) (200)
13. The Rolling Stones (89.5) (200)
14. Bee Gees (63.2) (120-200)
15. Whitney Houston (96.2) (170)
16. U2 (99.6) (150)
17. Billy Joel (97.6) (100-150)
18. Phil Collins (82.4) (100-150)
19. Aerosmith (79.2) (150)
20. Genesis (38.6) (150)
21. Frank Sinatra (35.5) (150)
22. Stevie Wonder (29.5) (150)

(I went to 22 since Sinatra and Wonder were pretty much tied with the previous five.)

Wow G-kl, the estimated sales are off the charts.

What I find cool is that both Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd sold that many records, especially since neither group were a "singles band".

I am amazed Phil Collins solo albums sold more then his work with Genesis.