ANSWERS: 54
  • The Beatles.. but there are discrepancies in the industry. "The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) administers a silver, gold, platinum and diamond award category for a number of countries, excluding the United States. (IFPI has members in 70 countries and five continents.) While these other countries have a program similar to ours, the RIAA® Gold & Platinum® program continues to have the highest standards for sales achievements." RIAA owns the following copyrights for distribution titles: Diamond: 10 Million Copies Multi-Platinum: 2 Million+ Copies Platinum: 1 Million Copies Gold: 500,000 Copies http://www.riaa.com/news/newsletter/press1999/111099.asp According to the RIAA, the Beatles have sold more than 106 million albums in the U.S. alone -- more than any other artist in this century. ... Beatles: John, Paul, George and Ringo are the only act in history with five Diamond® albums, signifying U.S. sales of 10 million copies or more. These include the three best-selling albums of the 1960s, “The Beatles (White Album),” “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” and “Abbey Road,” as well as a pair of 1973 hit compilations. The Beatles received their first gold album, “Meet The Beatles!,” and their first gold single, “I Want To Hold Your Hand,” on the same day - February 3, 1964. Music hasn’t been the same since. Garth Brooks: The country icon is the only solo artist in history with four Diamond® albums. Brooks has the two best-selling country albums of all time - “No Fences” and “Ropin’ The Wind.” Brooks triggered the country explosion of the’90s and paved the way for such country crossover stars as Shania Twain and Alan Jackson. Brooks’ other two Diamond® albums are “Double Live!” and “The Hits.” With all that Brooks has achieved, it’s hard to imagine that he received his first gold album less than 10 years ago. With sales of 89 million albums, Brooks has been officially recognized by the RIAA as the top male artist of the decade. Barbra Streisand: The legendary performer has had 26 Platinum® albums, 13 of which are multi-million sellers. Four Streisand albums have reached the five-million certification plateau -- “Guilty,” “A Christmas Album,” “Memories” and “Barbra Streisand’s Greatest Hits, Vol. 2.” Streisand received her first gold album on May 12, 1964. In the years since, she has never been out of the limelight. Eagles: The Eagles’ first greatest hits album was released in 1976 and has been a steady catalog seller ever since. The Eagles' "Their Greatest Hits 1971-1975" was the first Platinum album ever certified by the RIAA. Earlier this year, it caught up with “Thriller,” at the 25 million sales mark. Today, as it reaches 26 million, it stands as the best-selling album of all time. It is one of two Diamond® albums by the legendary California based group. The other is “Hotel California,” which is certified at the 15-million mark. An array of top country artists saluted the Eagles on the multiplatinum 1995 album, “Common Thread: Songs of the Eagles.” Sir Elton John: Sir Elton John and his long-time collaborator Bernie Taupin wrote “Candle In The Wind” for Elton’s 1973 album, “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road.” Taupin rewrote the lyric in 1997 after the tragic death of Princess Diana. The revised version, “Candle In The Wind 1997,” soon surpassed Bing Crosby’s “White Christmas” to become the best-selling single of all time. Elton is represented with two other Diamond® recordings - “Elton John-Greatest Hits,” which is certified at 15 million, and “The Lion King” soundtrack, which features his Academy Award-winning ballad “Can You Feel The Love Tonight.” Elton has been a regular presence in the RIAA certifications since February 1971, when he received his first Gold® album. Elvis Presley: The King of Rock ‘n’ Roll has had 80 Gold® albums, 43 of which are Platinum®. His top-selling titles, both of which are certified at the 6-million level, are “Elvis’ Golden Records,” which is the best-selling album of the 1950s, and “Elvis’ Christmas Album,” the 1970 adaptation of his classic 1957 holiday release. In 1992, the RIAA marked the 15th anniversary of Elvis’ death at Graceland, with a commemorative wall of all of his Gold® records. Presley also has been awarded more Gold® (50) and Platinum® (27) singles than any other performer.
  • From what I have heard Elvis has actually outsold the Beatles Worldwide. The Problem is that these firgures are hard to get completely accurate. Both Elvis and the Beatles are said to have sold over 1 billion records worldwide. ABBA is also sometimes said to have sold in the region of 1 billion, but the figure is usually left at 360 million for them, which is still 3rd. After that it gets very debateble. Some people claim Michael Jackson has outsold the Beatles, but I have never seen a reliable sorce even putting him in front of ABBA. Most of tose people also add the sales he made while in the Jackson 5, but if you did that you would have to add all of the sales the beatles got in their solo careers and the sales the members of ABBA made in their various projects. If you did that it would just put Jackson in 10th.(4 members of the beatles, 4 from ABBA, and Elvis still ahead)
  • These answers seem to be a little old. The top 4 now are (according to the RIAA): BEATLES, THE - 168,500,000 PRESLEY, ELVIS - 116,500,000 LED ZEPPELIN - 107,500,000 BROOKS, GARTH - 105,000,000 With Garth Brooks' latest release this past November his total will soon jump to at least 112,000,000 albums sold.
  • ABBA- 350,000,000
  • ABBA has not sold 360,000,000. No reliable source has stated that!!!!!!!
  • Wrong. Mariah Carey has officially surpassed all sales. She amounts over 170 millions albums sold worldwide. Carey is only second to the beatles in #1 singles (18). In the U.S Mariah has ammassed 87 million albums sold.
  • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_best-selling_music_artists The best on here are Elvis and Led Zeppelin. I also like some of Elton John's songs.
  • Michael Jackson's lifetime record sales tally is believed to be around 750 million, making him the most successful entertainer of all time. Soucre - CNN http://www.cnn.com/2006/SHOWBIZ/Music/11/15/michael.jackson.reut/index.html
  • Also Bon Jovi has sold more than 120 million...in case any one has forgotten the band from New Jersey
  • The Beatles are, according to the RIAA, the best selling band in this country. In 2004 they had sold 165 million records, and since then have probably sold a couple million more. On top of that they are also the best selling band world wide, occupying the number 1 spot in just about any country with a notable music industry (With the exception of Sweden yup you guessed it ABBA outsold the Beatles in Sweden. Whoever said Mariah Carey is wrong, they merely misinterpreted the news which recently reported that she has the most sales of a single single, meaning one of her songs outsold the previous highest which was Hey Jude. Im not sure what the other post was getting at by mentioning Bon Jovi....
  • According to Wikipedia Elvis Presley is at #1 Then The Beatles at #2 and believe it or not George Strait is at #3. George Strait has more #1 song than both Elvis and the Beatles.
  • Obviously Mariah Carey. She's sold over 220 million copies. I mean, she's the artist of the millenium. She got an award for that. She's the biggest selling female/male artist ever!
  • its the beatles of course..no one can match 1.3 billion albums sold nor will they ever even come close
  • I don't know about "in history" but I do know that according to RIAA certifications from 1955 to 1996... The Top Pop Albums (sales) that went GOLD or Better were: 1. Elvis Presley (80 albums) 2. Barbara Streisand (46 albums) 3. The Beatles (39 albums) 4. The Rolling Stones (38 albums) 5. Neil Diamond (37 albums) Michael Jackson was not in the top 14 The Top Pop Singles (sales) that went Gold and better were: 1. Elvis Presley (24 Gold & 28 Platinum) 2. The Beatles (18 Gold & 6 Platinum) 3. Whitney Houston (14 Gold & 6 Platinum) 4. Janet jackson (16 Gold & 3 Platinum) 5. Elton John (13 Gold & 6 Platinum) The Gold and Platinum are NOT the same records with a few extra. An album or single was only counted ONE time. It is not in BOTH totals (gold AND platinum). I know it says "Pop" but it lists performers from ALL music venues so I'm going to say the answer to your question is: The KING of Rock and Roll - Elvis Presley...and I don't think ANYONE is going to surpass 80 ALBUMS that have gone a minimum of GOLD..Not the Beatles, Not Michael Jackson, Not Mariah Carey. No one.
  • the beatles ... 1.3 billion and still counting
  • the beatles.
  • The truth is nobody knows the exact figures to declare a true #1 best seller of all time. The figures we do have point toward the winner being either The Beatles, Elvis Presley, or Micheal Jackson, as told here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Best-selling_music_artist
  • Bob Dylan has sold over 23 million albums in Ireland alone
  • Elvis Presley
  • If you are considering world wide all time sales, I don't think anyone can answer with absolute certainty. I would hope it's The Beatles because I happen to prefer their music to the other artists mentioned.
  • I'd guess Elvis Presley.
  • I think I've heard The Beetles.
  • i think fifty cent's album went diamond? i think he and michael jackson are the only two people to have a diamond album
  • #1 The Beetles #2 Elvis Presley #3 Micheal Jackson #4 Journey
  • I'm not sure, but I know that David Bowie has ALOT of albums, and ALOT of people who buy them.
  • My question is what recordng artist has sold the most CD's/Albums since 1979? I'm not sure when the Beatles came onto the scene and if they would be No. 1 or would Elvis be No 1. Perhaps, it could be George Strait. If anyone is for certain, please answer.
  • i dont know where ppl are getting there *FACT* about the beatles...according to RCA, Elvis Presley Estate, Elvis has sold over 1 billion records...also stating that it was "far more than any other artist in history". I seriously doubt the beatles have sold more. the gold/platinum records/singles also point to Elvis, 147 to elvis and 69 for the beatles.
  • It is Elvis Presley according to RCA and Elvis Presley Estate which they claim is over 1 Billion and counting. Also the gold and platinum records/singles point to elvis who has totalled 147 to date essentially double what 2nd place Beatles have total of 69. I dont care for either artist but it is Elvis Presley. In regards to Abba they have sold over 350 million records...shocking. I do hope the ppl that mentioned 50 Cent and Mariah Carey were not being serious....makes them look ridiculous.
  • Here's a good source that seems reliable, although it's only taking US sales up until 2005 into account: http://www.classicbands.com/bestsellers.html#albumartists But if it's correct then top three would be: 1. The Beatles 2. Garth Brooks 3. Led Zeppelin
  • i actually believe it is Eagles as stated on the new TV show Rock The Cradle but im not sure.
  • my boyfriend seriously said yesterday that its lil wayne. i laughed at him. puh-lease. it f'in better be the beatles.
  • The number of GOLD albums? Then I thing the answer is AC/DC
  • Beatles
  • Bing Crosby
  • The best guess (compiled from RIAA stats,SoundScan and others) Beatles...appr. 1.2 billion,Elvis Presley...appr. 900,000 million,Michael Jackson...appr.670,000 million,Frank Sinatra...appr.520,000 million,Rolling Stones...appr.320,000 million,AC/DC...appr.300,000 million,Led Zeppelin...appr.290,000 million,Pink Floyd...appr.260,000 million,ABBA...appr.225,000 million,Julio Iglesias...appr.150,000 million
  • Led Zepplin has sold the most albums than any other band ever
  • first of all, that adam character needs to get a life and the question was: what artist sold the most records beethoven was not an artist, he was a composer{get your facts straight}obviously the question was geared towards our lifetime, not our forefathers....thank you..next!!!!
  • Elvis Presley has sold most records worldwide, in 1970's guinness book of world record written that he has sold 1 billion records, now it is more than 2 billion.
  • ha ha ha ha !!!!, so ADAM14 your not as dumb as you sound your still only half right,were still talking 20th century singers here....i dont remember beethoven being on the cover of rollingstone...lol...NNEEEXXXXTT.
  • I've heard Garth Brooks. Elvis and the Beatles both broke records, but by the time Garth came around more people were spending money on music. However, if you literally mean records (as in 78's and 45's) then my guess would be Elvis.
  • Sony wouldn't know, RIAA says the Beatles are #1 greatest selling all time I was reading the Elvis Information Network about record sales . They Admit that there is no proof that Elvis has sold more than 1 billion. They say people like you use bogus figures that cannot backed up. They also know the Beatles crossed the 1 billion mark but accurate figures are just not available. Soundscan Top-selling artists of the last two decades: Garth Brooks, Beatles, Mariah Carey, Celine Dion Top-selling artists, 1991 - 2007 Garth Brooks 67,402,000 Beatles 55,695,000 Mariah Carey 49,937,000 Celine Dion 49,692,000 Metallica 48,670,000 George Strait 39,171,000 Tim McGraw 36,413,000 Alan Jackson 35,266,000 Pink Floyd 34,453,000 Shania Twain 33,531,000 Source: Nielsen SoundScan
  • The Beatles official sales are over 1 billion Elvis around 1 billion the truth is there are no accurate figures. The Beatles also have 20 #1's(in 7 years) in the US to Elvis 18(in 23 years). The Beatles have 2 platinum cd's since 2000 and that is truly great for a band that broke up in 1970. The Beatles were also voted best all time by, Rolling Stone , VH1, Entertainment magazine, Billboard and named most influential artists of the 20th century by Variety.Elvis was great make no mistake but in 7 years the Beatles bettered him and to this day are still the best ever without a doubt.
  • The Beatles have sold more records world wide than anyother entertainment act in music history. They have sold over 1.3 billion records. Elvis Presley is second with approximately 1 billion records sold, and Michael Jackson and Bing Crosby have sold around 500 million.
  • The Beatles 1.3 billion records.
  • This http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_best-selling_music_artists says the Beatles and Elvis Presley.
  • ELVIS!!!!!!!!!!! Not even close. TO bad he was wierd like MJ.
  • SOMEBODY PLEASE CHECK MICHAEL JACKSON'S NUMBERS 1 BILLION SOMETHING.....
  • i believe i said band that rules out garth elvi and waco jaco. that leaves us with the beatles...and second i say KISS
  • If anyone who has commented is under 60 years old, they don't know what Elvis did. Everybody loved him except the parents. He changed the way music was played he open the door for all who followed. Elvis many times would knock his own #1 song off the top with another song then knock that one off with another. One time he had 9 songs in the top 10. I have notice through the years that the beatle fans dont deal in fact. Elvis just had to many loyal fans. 33 movies, when Elvis played Vegas the casino,stage,church weddings everything increased by 33%. Elvis has over 1.3 BILLION Beatles just over 1 Billion. It took 4 beatles to do 1/4 of what Elvis has done, every year Elvis has a avg. of 4 more song going gold or platinum. In Phoenix AZ. a poll was taken on who was more popular, Elvis won with over a 4 to 1 margin.Thank you thank you very much Pastor Charles
  • This is Pastor Charlie I made a mistake in my last comment I wrote Elvis has 1.3 bill, I meant to say 2.3 billion. sorry
  • Who is this "gettyman" commenting every other comment is his made up figures of how many records the Beatles sold. FACT: ELVIS- 2.3 BILLION...BEATLES-1.3 END OF DISCUSION There wouldn't of been the beatles without Elvis. Gettyman get off the net, we are adults and we deal in facts so you must be abour 7 years old.
  • MICHAEL JACKSON PERIOD !!!! ALBUMS ARE STILL SELLING..........
  • Being in the music business for the last 42 years, dealing with figure was a good share of my job. The Beatles were great, but all the stats. say Elvis at over 2.3 billion, Beatles @ 1.3b. Elvis would of sold even more if it hadn't been for the parents of the teenagers and the media whom all thought that he was nasty.So the parents said no to the teens and the media said no because of the advertisers. While doing my job when the beatles went to shea stadium there were over 11,000 seats unsold. Don't take me wrong I liked the Beatles,BUT Elvis had energy chrisma, charm, looks and a most unusual talent for the way he sung a song. I remember when John Lennon said they are more popular then Jesus Christ they lost a big share of there fan base. Even if Elvis records such as sales, gold or better top 40, top 10, #1's every thing he did was surpassed There will never be another ELVIS....
  • My guess would be Elvis Presley. He had his first hit six years before the Beatles had their first. He continued to chart regularly for several more years after the Beatles disbanded, so I would put money on it being Elvis.

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