List of best-selling music artists

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The world's best-selling music artists cannot be listed officially, as there is no organization that has recorded global music sales in the manner that the RIAA does in the United States. This page lists those artists who have had claims made to be among the top sellers. Within their sales brackets, artists are listed in alphabetical order, rather than by number of records sold. Equal weight is given to album and single sales, as well as paid downloads. Sources are typically fan sites, record labels, newspaper articles or manual addition of figures from various official sources. This means that these figures should be considered claims, not facts.

Contents

[edit] Constraints in establishing best-selling status

Although the criteria for the following list are intended to be expansive (including comparisons for total sales for all recording artists) there are certain limitations and constraints that may limit the conclusions that can be derived from this data.

Such constraints include:

  • Bias towards acts who have had success in a specific country or region. The RIAA tracks and certifies sales for recordings sold in, or originating from, the United States, the world's largest single music market. While the RIAA's method and scope are exhaustive in this respect, figures for recordings produced and sold in other nations are not included, or at best are incomplete, in RIAA statistics. Since there are few authoritative or comprehensive counterparts to the RIAA which track the international music market, the RIAA's more certain sales figures tend to inflate the relative importance of the American market.
  • Bias of fans, who feel that quantity of records sold, equates to quality of music
  • Bias towards modern artists. Comparatively less successful modern artists will have sold more records, as both global spending power and population have increased (even though most of the world reside in poorer countries that buy little or no music). In 1950, the world's population was 2.5 billion; by 2000 it had risen to 6 billion. Also, older artists suffer from bias as their record sales are less likely to have been accurately tracked, and estimates of their early sales are likely to be more vague.
  • Bias towards older artists. Particularly, those artists who began their recording careers since 1990 may have experienced some loss in sales from illegal downloading of tracks. [Note: Many of these artist do particularly well in ticket and merchandise sales.]
  • Fan sites, press articles, certification authorities and record companies have been known to inflate record sales claims.
  • Inflated claims for artists who performed in different acts during their careers. Sometimes all of the sales data is attributed to an individual artist. For the purposes of this list, an effort is made to separate the individual acts (e.g., the sales figures for The Beatles and Paul McCartney & Wings are mutually exclusive).

[edit] World's best seller

Main article: Best-selling music artist

The best-selling musical act in history can not be accurately determined. U.S. sales data before 1952 are incomplete. International sales, particularly in the developing world, continue to be poorly tracked, and sales data before the 1980s is rare or dubious. The Beatles, Michael Jackson, and Elvis Presley have all been given the title by various sources. Claims are made for a number of less common artists.

[edit] Artists Reputed Sales

[edit] 500 million records or more

Artist Country Period Genre Source
The Beatles United Kingdom 60s Rock / Pop [1] [2]
Bing Crosby U.S. 20s-70s Jazz / Swing / Vocal / Easy Listening / Pop [3]
Michael Jackson U.S. 60s-Present Pop / New Jack Swing / R&B / Rock / Funk / Disco / Gospel [4]
Elvis Presley U.S. 50s-70s Rock / R&B / Gospel / Blues / Rockabilly / Pop / Country [5]
Frank Sinatra U.S. 30s-90s Pop / Easy Listening / Vocal / Jazz / Swing [6]

[edit] 200 million records or more

Artist Country Period Genre Source
A. R. Rahman India 90s-Present Film score / Soundtrack [7][8]
ABBA Sweden 70s-80s Pop / Disco [9]
Alla Pugacheva Soviet Union/Russia 60s-00s Pop

[10] [11]

The Bee Gees Australia/U.K. 60s-00s Pop / Disco / Adult Contemporary / Blues / Blue-eyed Soul [12]
Celine Dion Canada 80s-00s Pop / Chanson / Rock / Adult Contemporary [13]
Cliff Richard United Kingdom 50s-00s Pop / Rock / Adult Contemporary [14]
Elton John United Kingdom 60s-00s Pop / Rock / Adult Contemporary [15]
Johnny Mathis U.S. 50s-00s Jazz / Pop [16]
Julio Iglesias Spain 60s-00s Latin Pop [17]
Led Zeppelin United Kingdom 60s-80s Hard Rock / Blues Rock / Heavy Metal / Folk Rock [18]
Madonna U.S. 80s-00s Pop / Dance / Techno / Electronica [19]
Nana Mouskouri Greece 50s-00s Pop / Folk / Jazz [20]
Pink Floyd United Kingdom 60s-90s Progressive Rock / Psychedelic Rock / Art Rock / Hard Rock [21][22][23]
Queen United Kingdom 70s-00s Hard Rock / Glam Rock [24]
Rod Stewart United Kingdom 60s-00s Rock [25]
The Rolling Stones United Kingdom 60s-00s Rock / Hard Rock [26]
Tino Rossi France 30s-80s Swing [27]
Wei Wei China 80s-00s Pop [28]

[edit] 100 million records or more

Artist Country Period Genre Source
AC/DC Australia 70s-00s Hard Rock / Heavy Metal [29][30]
Aerosmith U.S. 70s-00s Hard Rock / Blues Rock [31][32]
Backstreet Boys U.S. 90s-00s Pop / Rock / R&B / Soul [33][34]
Barbra Streisand U.S. 60s-00s Pop / Adult Contemporary / Classical / Easy listening / Showtunes [35] [36]
Barry White U.S. 70s-00s Pop / Disco / R&B [37]
The Beach Boys U.S. 60s-00s Rock / Pop [38]
Billy Joel U.S. 60s-00s Pop / Rock / Adult Contemporary [39][40]
Bon Jovi U.S. 80s-00s Hard Rock / Glam Metal [41]
Boney M Germany 70s-90s Pop / Disco [42] [43][44]
Brenda Lee U.S. 50s-00s Country [45]
Bruce Springsteen U.S. 70s-00s Rock
The Carpenters U.S. 60s-80s Pop / Country / Adult Contemporary [46][47][48]
Charles Aznavour France 30s-00s Pop / Chanson [49]
Cher U.S. 60s-00s Pop / Dance / Disco / Rock / Folk / Country / Adult Contemporany [50]
Chicago U.S. 60s-00s Rock / Blues / Jazz / Adult Contemporary [51]
Creedence Clearwater Revival U.S. 60s-70s Rock [52]
Dalida France/Italy 50s-80s Pop / Disco [53]
Dave Clark Five United Kingdom 60s-70s Rock [54]
David Bowie United Kingdom 60s-00s Pop / Rock / Folk Rock / Glam Rock / Hard Rock / Soul / Funk / Dance / Electronica [55][56][57]
Deep Purple United Kingdom 60s-00s Hard Rock / Heavy Metal [58]
Diana Ross U.S. 60s-00s Pop / R&B / Soul / Disco / Funk [59]
Dionne Warwick U.S. 60s-00s Pop / R&B / Soul / Adult Contemporary [60]
Dire Straits United Kingdom 70s-90s Rock [61]
Dolly Parton U.S. 50s-00s Pop / Country / Folk / Bluegrass [62][63]
Donna Summer U.S. 70s-00s Pop / Disco / R&B / Dance [64]
Duane Eddy U.S. 50s-80s Rock [65]
The Eagles U.S. 70s-00s Rock / Country [66]
Electric Light Orchestra United Kingdom 70s-00s Progressive Rock / Pop Rock / Electronica [67]
Engelbert Humperdinck United Kingdom/U.S. 50s-00s Pop / Easy Listening / Vocal [68]
Fats Domino U.S. 40s-00s Rock / R&B [69]
Fleetwood Mac United Kingdom/U.S. 60s-00s Rock / Blues [70]
Frankie Valli U.S. 60s-00s Doo wop / Pop / Disco [71]
Garth Brooks U.S. 80s-00s Country [72]
Gene Autry U.S. 30s-70s Country [73]
Genesis United Kingdom 60s-00s Progressive Rock / Pop Rock [74]
Gheorghe Zamfir Romania 70s-00s Instrumental [75][76]
Herbert von Karajan Austria 40s-80s Classical [77]
Iron Maiden United Kingdom 80s-00s Heavy Metal [78]
The Jackson 5 U.S. 60s-90s Pop / Disco / Funk / R&B [79]
Janet Jackson U.S. 80s-00s R&B / Soul / Dance / Pop [80]
Johnny Hallyday France 50s-00s Traditional Pop [81]
Joni James U.S. 50s-60s Rock [82]
KC and the Sunshine Band U.S. 70s-00s Pop / Disco / Funk [83]
Kenny Rogers U.S. 60s-00s Country / Pop [84][85]
Lionel Richie U.S. 60s-00s Pop / R&B / Soul / Disco / Dance / Adult Contemporary [86]
Luciano Pavarotti Italy 60s-00s Opera [87][88]
Mariah Carey U.S. 90s-00s R&B / Pop [89] [90][91]
Michiya Mihashi Japan 50s-90s Enka[92]
Mireille Mathieu France 60s-00s Pop [93]
Modern Talking Germany 80s-00s Euro-Pop [94] [95]
Neil Diamond U.S. 60s-00s Pop / Rock / Adult Contemporary [96]
Patti Page U.S. 40s-00s Country [97][98]
Paul McCartney United Kingdom 70s-00s Rock / Pop [99]
Perry Como U.S. 30s-00s Pop / Swing / Easy Listening [100]
Pet Shop Boys United Kingdom 80s-00s Dance / Synthpop / House / Electronica [101]
Phil Collins United Kingdom 80s-00s Rock / Pop [102]
Prince U.S. 70s-00s Pop / Funk / R&B / Rock / Soul [103]
Ricky Nelson U.S. 50s-80s Pop [104]
Roberto Carlos Brazil 60s-00s Latin [105]
Shirley Bassey United Kingdom 50s-00s Vocal / Pop / Big Band [106]
Status Quo United Kingdom 60s-00s Rock [107]
Stevie Wonder U.S. 60s-00s Pop / R&B / Disco / Soul / Funk [108][109]
Tina Turner U.S. 60s-00s Pop / R&B / Rock / Soul / Dance [110]
Tommy James U.S. 60s-00s Rock [111]
U2 Ireland 70s-00s Rock [112]
Whitney Houston U.S. 80s-00s Pop / R&B / Adult Contemporary / Soul / Gospel / Dance [113]
The Who United Kingdom 60s-00s Rock / Hard Rock / Art Rock [114]

[edit] 75 million records or more

Artist Country Period Genre Source
a-ha Norway 80s-00s Pop / New Wave [115]
Adamo Belgium 60s-00s Pop [116]
Adriano Celentano Italy 60s-00s Pop [117]
The Andrews Sisters U.S. 30s-50s Swing [118]
B'z Japan 80s-00s Rock / Hard Rock [119]
Barry Manilow U.S. 70s-00s Pop / Easy Listening / Adult Contemporary [120]
Bobby Vinton U.S. 60s-90s Pop [121]
Bonnie Tyler United Kigdom 70s-00s Pop / Rock / Adult Contemporary [122]
Britney Spears U.S. 90s-00s Pop [123]
Bryan Adams Canada 80s-00s Rock / Pop / Adult Contemporary [124]
Carlos Santana Mexico 60s-00s Rock / Blues [125]
Depeche Mode United Kingdom 80s-00s New Wave / Synthpop [126]
Donny Osmond U.S. 70s-00s Pop [127]
The Doors U.S. 60s-70s Rock / Psychedelic Rock / Blues Rock [128]
Earth, Wind & Fire U.S. 70s-00s Pop / R&B / Disco / Soul / Funk [129]
Eddy Arnold U.S. 40s-00s Country [130]
Eurythmics United Kingdom 80s-00s Pop / Rock / New Wave [131]
Fairuz Lebanon 40s-00s Pop [132]
Gloria Estefan U.S. 80s-00s Latin / Dance [133]
Guns N' Roses U.S. 80s-00s Hard Rock [134]
Hank Snow Canada 30s-90s Country [135]
Hibari Misora Japan 40s-80s Enka [136]
James Brown U.S. 50s-00s Soul / R&B / Funk [137]
Jean Michel Jarre France 70s-00s New Age [138]
Kenny G U.S. 80s-00s Instrumental / Jazz [139]
Kiss U.S. 70s-00s Rock [140]
Linda Ronstadt U.S. 60s-00s Country / Pop [141]
Metallica U.S. 80s-00s Heavy Metal / Thrash Metal / Hard Rock [142]
Mina Italy 50s-00s Pop [143]
The Osmonds U.S. 70s-00s Rock [144]
R.E.M. U.S. 80s-00s Rock [145]
Robbie Williams United Kingdom 90s-00s Pop [146]
Roxette Sweden 80s-00s Pop / Rock [147]
Scorpions Germany 70s-00s Hard Rock / Heavy Metal [148]
Sonny & Cher U.S. 60s-70s Pop / Rock [149]
Shania Twain Canada 90s-00s Country / Pop [150]
Sweet United Kingdom 70s Pop / Rock [151]
Van Halen U.S. 70s-00s Hard Rock / Heavy Metal [152]
The Ventures U.S. 50s-00s Instrumental Rock [153]
Tupac Shakur U.S. 90s-00s Hip-Hop [154]
Victor Silvester United Kingdom 30s-80s Dance [155]
Willie Nelson U.S. 50s-00s Country [156]

[edit] 50 million Records Or More

Artist Country Period Genre Source
Alanis Morissette Canada 90s-00s Alternative / Folk Rock [157]
Alabama U.S. 70s-00s Country [158]
Alice Cooper U.S. 60s-00s Hard Rock / Heavy Metal / Shock Rock / Glam Rock [159]
Andre Kostelanetz U.S. 40s-70s Easy Listening [160]
Andrea Bocelli Italy 90s-00s Opera / Classical [161]
Anne Murray Canada 60s-00s Pop / Country [162]
B.J. Thomas U.S. 60s-00s Country [163]
Black Sabbath United Kingdom 70s-80s Heavy Metal [164]
Blondie U.S. 70s-00s New Wave [165]
Bob Marley Jamaica 60s-80s Reggae [166]
Bob Seger U.S. 60s-00s Rock [167]
Boyz II Men U.S. 90s-00s R&B / Soul [168]
Cat Stevens United Kingdom 60s-00s Folk / Pop [169]
Charlie Daniels U.S. 70s-00s Country / Rock [170]
The Corrs Ireland 90s-00s Rock [171]
Def Leppard United Kingdom 70s-00s Hard Rock / Heavy Metal [172]
Destiny's Child U.S. 90s-00s Pop / R&B / Dance [173]
Duran Duran United Kingdom 80s-00s Pop / New Wave [174]
The Diamonds Canada 50s-70s R&B [175]
The Doobie Brothers U.S. 70s-00s Rock [176]
Don Cornell U.S. 50s-90s Pop [177]
Eminem U.S. 90s-00s Hip-Hop [178]
Enya Ireland 80s-00s New Age / Celtic [179]
Four Tops U.S. 50s-00s R&B [180]
George Strait U.S. 70s-00s Country [181]
Heino Germany 60s-00s Country [182]
Herb Alpert U.S. 50s-90s Instrumental Pop / Easy Listening [183]
James Last Germany 60s-00s Instrumental / Classical [184]
Jethro Tull United Kingdom 60s-00s Progressive Rock / Hard Rock /Rock [185]
Johnny Cash U.S. 50s-00s Country [186]
Kazuhiro Moriuchi Japan 70s-00s Enka [187]
Kylie Minogue Australia 80s-00s Pop / Dance [188]
Luis Miguel Mexico 80s-00s Latin [189]
Linkin Park U.S. 90s-00s Rock / Metal / Hip-Hop [190]
Meat Loaf U.S. 70s-00s Rock / Hard Rock [191]
Mills Brothers U.S. 30s-70s Pop [192]
Mr. Children Japan 80s-00s Pop / Rock [193]
Nat King Cole U.S. 30s-60s Jazz / Vocal / Pop [194]
Nelson Gonçalves Brazil 40s-90s Samba [195]
New Kids on the Block U.S. 80s-90s Pop [196]
Nirvana U.S. 80s-90s Grunge / Alternative Rock [197]
Orhan Gencebay Turkey 60s-00s Arabesque / Folk [198]
Ozzy Osbourne United Kingdom 80s-90s Heavy Metal [199]
Paul Revere & The Raiders U.S. 60s-00s Pop [200]
Pearl Jam U.S. 90s-00s Grunge / Rock / Hard Rock [201]
Petula Clark United Kingdom 50s-00s Pop [202]
Ray Conniff U.S. 50s-00s Pop / Easy Listening [203]
Reba McEntire U.S. 70s-00s Country [204]
Red Hot Chili Peppers U.S. 80s-00s Funk Rock / Alternative Rock [205]
Richard Clayderman France 60s-00s Easy Listening / Instrumental Pop [206]
Robbie Williams United Kingdom 90s-00s Pop [207]
Sade United Kingdom 80s-00s R&B [208]
The Seekers Australia 60s, 90s-00s Folk / Rock [209]
Spice Girls United Kingdom 90s-00s Pop / Dance / R&B [210]
Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers U.S. 70s-00s Rock [211]
The Turtles U.S. 60s Rock [212]
UB40 United Kingdom 80s-00s Reggae [213]
Vernon Dalhart U.S. 10s-40s Country [214]

[edit] References

  1. ^ [1] Guinness World records estimate over 1 billion records, CDs and singles sold
  2. ^ First there was Beatlemania, now there's Googlemania Maney, Kevin; USA Today; 10 May, 2004; accessed December 2006; claims over 1 billion records
  3. ^ Bing Crosby at Billboard Magazine billboard.com; accessed October 2007; claims over 500 million
  4. ^ [2] accessed September 2007; claims 750 million; in English language
  5. ^ [3] Claims over 1 billion in sales globally
  6. ^ Frank Sinatra tele.at; accessed December 2006; claims 600 million; in German
  7. ^ Indian film composer for Rings
  8. ^ [4]
  9. ^ Abba, The Book Potiez, Jean-Marie; 15 August 2005; accessed December 2006; claims 350 million records sold as of 2000
  10. ^ [5]
  11. ^ [6]
  12. ^ BeeGees - Sales
  13. ^ [7]
  14. ^ Life and Times; Cliff Richard.com; accessed December 2006; claims 250 million; (Primary source)
  15. ^ Sanctuary for Elton Yahoo Music; accessed December 2006; claims 250 million
  16. ^ [8]
  17. ^ The Iglesias dynasty Hello!; accessed December 2006; claims 250 million records
  18. ^ Led Zeppelin wins Polar Prize The Local; 7 November 2005; accessed December 2006; claims more than 300 million
  19. ^ [9]; claims 270 million
  20. ^ [10]; claims 380 million
  21. ^ Dreamsville.net, claim 250 million, retrieved 2 August2007
  22. ^ Worldticketshop 2006 claims 250 million
  23. ^ Surge Radio claims 300 million
  24. ^ Queen Proves There's Life After Freddie Ohmy News; January 25 2006; accessed December 2006; claims 300 million
  25. ^ [http://www.pr-inside.com/entertainment-blog/2006/12/30/royal-honour-for-rod-stewart: (Claims over 200 million sold worldwide)/
  26. ^ [11]
  27. ^ Tino Rossi Ajaccio Tourist Information; accessed December 2006; claims 300 million
  28. ^ [12]
  29. ^ [13]
  30. ^ [14]
  31. ^ [15]
  32. ^ [16]
  33. ^ [17]
  34. ^ [18]
  35. ^ [19]
  36. ^ Biography - Barbra Streisand
  37. ^ Obituary: Barry White
  38. ^ [20]
  39. ^ [21]
  40. ^ [22]
  41. ^ [23]
  42. ^ [24]
  43. ^ [25]
  44. ^ [26]
  45. ^ [27]
  46. ^ [28]
  47. ^ [29]
  48. ^ [30]
  49. ^ [31]
  50. ^ http://www.geocities.com/thecherzone/biographie.html
  51. ^ [32]
  52. ^ [33]
  53. ^ [34]www.paris.fr Official Paris Website. Over 125 mll. records
  54. ^ [35] Claims 100 million
  55. ^ [36]
  56. ^ [37]
  57. ^ [38]
  58. ^ [39]
  59. ^ [40]
  60. ^ [41]
  61. ^ [42]
  62. ^ [43]
  63. ^ [44]
  64. ^ [45]
  65. ^ [46]
  66. ^ [47]
  67. ^ [48] Claims over 100 Million
  68. ^ [49]
  69. ^ [50]
  70. ^ [51]
  71. ^ [52] Claims over 100 Million
  72. ^ [53]
  73. ^ [54]
  74. ^ [55]
  75. ^ [56]
  76. ^ [57]
  77. ^ The Maestro on Himself - New York Times
  78. ^ http://www.gigwise.com/profile.asp?contentid=668
  79. ^ [58]
  80. ^ [59]
  81. ^ [60]
  82. ^ [61]
  83. ^ [62] Claims over 100 million
  84. ^ [63]
  85. ^ [64]
  86. ^ [65]
  87. ^ [66]
  88. ^ [67]
  89. ^ [68]
  90. ^ [69] (diamond awards winner in 2003)
  91. ^ [70] (this figure only represents U.S. sales )
  92. ^ http://www.jrt.co.jp/radio/natsumero/museum/mu-mihasi.htm]
  93. ^ [71]
  94. ^ [72]
  95. ^ [73]
  96. ^ [74]
  97. ^ [75]
  98. ^ [76]
  99. ^ [77] Claims over 100 million
  100. ^ [78]
  101. ^ [79] Claims over 100 million
  102. ^ [80]
  103. ^ [81]
  104. ^ [82]
  105. ^ [83]
  106. ^ [http://www.dameshirleybassey.com/: (Claims around 135 million sold worldwide)/
  107. ^ [84]
  108. ^ [85]
  109. ^ [86]
  110. ^ enote: Contemporary Artists - Tina Turner biography(Claims over 180 million records sold by the year 2000)
  111. ^ [87]
  112. ^ [88]
  113. ^ [89]
  114. ^ [90]
  115. ^ [91]
  116. ^ [92]
  117. ^ [93]
  118. ^ [94]
  119. ^ [95]
  120. ^ [96]
  121. ^ [97]
  122. ^ [98]
  123. ^ ||[99]
  124. ^ ||[100]
  125. ^ [101]
  126. ^ [102]
  127. ^ [103]
  128. ^ [104]
  129. ^ [105]
  130. ^ [106]
  131. ^ [107]
  132. ^ [108][109]
  133. ^ [110]
  134. ^ [111]
  135. ^ [112]
  136. ^ [113]
  137. ^ [114]
  138. ^ [115]
  139. ^ [116]
  140. ^ [117]
  141. ^ [118]
  142. ^ [119]
  143. ^ [120]
  144. ^ [121]
  145. ^ [122]
  146. ^ [123]
  147. ^ [124]
  148. ^ [125]
  149. ^ [126]
  150. ^ [127]
  151. ^ [128]
  152. ^ [129] [130]
  153. ^ [131]
  154. ^ [132]
  155. ^ [133]
  156. ^ [134]
  157. ^ [135]
  158. ^ [136]
  159. ^ [137]
  160. ^ [138]
  161. ^ [139]
  162. ^ [140]
  163. ^ [141]
  164. ^ [142]
  165. ^ [143]
  166. ^ [144]
  167. ^ [145]
  168. ^ [146]
  169. ^ [147]
  170. ^ [148]
  171. ^ [149]
  172. ^ [150]
  173. ^ Destiney's Child
  174. ^ [151]
  175. ^ [152]
  176. ^ [153]
  177. ^ [154]
  178. ^ [155]
  179. ^ Enya.com
  180. ^ [156]
  181. ^ [157]
  182. ^ [158]
  183. ^ [159]
  184. ^ [160]
  185. ^ [161]
  186. ^ [162]
  187. ^ [163]
  188. ^ [164]
  189. ^ [165]
  190. ^ [166]
  191. ^ [167]
  192. ^ [168]
  193. ^ [169]
  194. ^ [170]
  195. ^ [171]
  196. ^ [172]
  197. ^ [173]
  198. ^ [174]
  199. ^ [175]
  200. ^ [176]
  201. ^ [177]
  202. ^ [178]