OT: RIAA Best Selling Albums of All Time

[bugsymalone]

I know many of you have seen this list in one form or another. A friend and I were discussing best-selling albums of all time and I found this link. Thought some of you might be interested. It says through Jan. 3, 2008.

Some on the list were a surprise to me(Jewel and Kid Rock, for example). Some I already knew about.

http://www.infoplease.com/ipea/A0151020.html


Bugsy

[cinj]

I don't know...but something about that list doesn't look right to me. I mean, The Beatles White Album (aka "The Beatles") was their biggest seller ever?? First I've heard that. I didn't see the Grease soundtrack anywhere (didn't look close, may have missed it) etc.

Just my thoughts....

Cinj

[bugsymalone]

I don't know...but something about that list doesn't look right to me. I mean, The Beatles White Album (aka "The Beatles") was their biggest seller ever?? First I've heard that. I didn't see the Grease soundtrack anywhere (didn't look close, may have missed it) etc.

Just my thoughts....

Cinj

I found this:

Believe me, the mystery of why the "Grease" soundtrack has not been recertified since 1984 is perplexing. The 1978 album was last certified by the Recording Industry Association of America in 1984, when it claimed 8 million copies shipped to U.S. retailers.

More than 21 years later, the album continues to maintain a certification of only 8 million copies shipped in the United States, according to the RIAA. As you pointed out, in the '90s, "Grease" was a huge selling album. It was an especially strong seller around the time when Paramount re-released the film to theaters in 1998.


Bugsy

[sniper16]

you can google riaa, and thier page has alltime best sellers, or you can search an artist.
you have to remember to the late 80's / early 90's cds sold in the 5/10 million range, and in the 60/70's 1 mil was huge.
also capitol sold millions out the back door.

[birdynumnum]

How in God's name does Garth Brooks have so many high selling CD's. I consider myself a fan of all music, and although I don't listen to country, I surely have heard the songs from the crossover artists (ie Shania Twain, Faith Hill). I don't even know of one song by GB. Haven't heard it on the radio, in the malls, commercials etc. Who is buying his records?

[bugsymalone]

How in God's name does Garth Brooks have so many high selling CD's. I consider myself a fan of all music, and although I don't listen to country, I surely have heard the songs from the crossover artists (ie Shania Twain, Faith Hill). I don't even know of one song by GB. Haven't heard it on the radio, in the malls, commercials etc. Who is buying his records?

Well, I have one theory. Back in the early 90's rap and grunge were really taking over the music scene. A lot of people, me included, drifted over to country to get back to something that sounded like music. Garth sort of bridged the gap between country and rock. His shows, which were enormously popular, were a blend of rock and roll stage show with country music.

He developed a huge following and seemed to be everywhere.

I am also quite surprised, though, that he became such a huge seller of his albums and music. He caught on at the right time it seems and rode that to tremendous success.

He did have quite a bit of crossover appeal and I believe was the first country artist to debut at No. 1 on both the Country and Pop charts at the same time.


Bugsy

[sadie65]

How in God's name does Garth Brooks have so many high selling CD's. I consider myself a fan of all music, and although I don't listen to country, I surely have heard the songs from the crossover artists (ie Shania Twain, Faith Hill). I don't even know of one song by GB. Haven't heard it on the radio, in the malls, commercials etc. Who is buying his records?

Well, I have one theory. Back in the early 90's rap and grunge were really taking over the music scene. A lot of people, me included, drifted over to country to get back to something that sounded like music. Garth sort of bridged the gap between country and rock. His shows, which were enormously popular, were a blend of rock and roll stage show with country music.

He developed a huge following and seemed to be everywhere.

I am also quite surprised, though, that he became such a huge seller of his albums and music. He caught on at the right time it seems and rode that to tremendous success.

He did have quite a bit of crossover appeal and I believe was the first country artist to debut at No. 1 on both the Country and Pop charts at the same time.


Bugsy

And he'd be the first to say there are others out there who far outstrip him in talent. But he knew how to market himself. I still remember his televised concert in Central Park. Like his music or not, he knew how to push sales to the masses.

[pinkfloyd1973]

Excuse me, but how in the world did Hootie and the Blowfish outsell Pink Floyd's "Dark Side Of The Moon" ?






Robin

[sniper16]

sales spiked,and payola controled radio help from around 86/92