Best Selling Albums of All Time

This article was written by Top 40 Contributing Editor Ed Osborne. © 2023 Ed Osborne. All rights reserved. In addition to this series, Ed is the author of our popular “Song Meaning” and “Year in Music 1960s–1990s” features.

Music fans love rankings, but when it comes to measuring real commercial success, sales speak louder than opinions. That’s why this list of best-selling albums is based on certified U.S. sales from the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America), the industry’s gold standard.

Please note that the RIAA rankings were current at the time of publication, and they periodically update their certifications – something we’ll continue to reflect on Top40Weekly as new data becomes available.

In this series, The Best-Selling Albums of All Time, we’ll count down the Top 100 albums that have achieved massive sales and left a lasting legacy.

What Are The Best Selling Albums Of All Time​?

1. Eagles – Their Greatest Hits (1971–1975)

In 1976 the RIAA instituted its Platinum Album award that represented one million records sold, and the first recipient was this one. Its most-sales achievement is even more impressive because — although it included five Top 10 hit singles (“Witchy Woman,” “Best Of My Love,” “One Of These Nights,” “Lyin’ Eyes,” and “Take It To The Limit”) — Their Greatest Hits did not contain the five additional Eagles Top 10’s that peaked after 1976. To date, all seven of the band’s studio albums have reached platinum or multi-platinum status; all overshadowed by the staggering 38 million units moved of Their Greatest Hits.

2. Michael Jackson – Thriller

Twenty-two years after its release it’s still hard to grasp the enormous success and impact of Jackson’s sixth studio album. Although his 1979 Off The Wall LP sold well, Michael was disappointed. His solution: craft an album where every song was a killer (no filler).

Of the nine tracks on Thriller, an astounding seven were also single hits. “The Girl Is Mine” (a duet with Paul McCartney) came out in advance and did well enough, yet nothing compared to “Billie Jean” and “Beat It” (both chart-topping multiplatinum discs). Four further singles went Top 10. Thirty four million sales later, Thriller remains a remarkable artistic achievement.

3. AC/DC – Back In Black

After its formation in 1973, Australian hard rock band AC/DC released five studio albums in the US, before breaking through with Highway To Hell. Seven months after its July, 1979 release, vocalist Bon Scott died of alcohol poisoning, and was replaced by Brian Johnson. Johnson and the guitar-playing Young brothers wrote all the songs for their next release.

The title tune “Back In Black” — a tribute to Scott (as was the allblack album cover) — became AC/DC’s second Top 40 US single, following “You Shook Me All Night Long.” At 27 million US sales, BIB is by far the best selling album of all time​ in the heavy metal genre.

4. Eagles – Hotel California

Of all the Eagles’s much-awarded albums, Hotel California — at double Diamond plus (26 million) status — is the crown jewel. Released at the end of 1976, initial sales of their fifth studio album were driven by the first single: “One Of These Nights.” That was followed by the title tune (a #1 smash) and “Life In The Fast Lane.”

These radio friendly singles somewhat obscured the album’s overarching exploration of the dark side of the American dream: its impact deepened when contrasted with the country’s bicentennial celebrations. Although it stayed on top for a respectable eight weeks, Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours dominated 1977 with 31 weeks at #1.

5. Led Zeppelin – Led Zeppelin IV (untitled)

After three multi-platinum and two #1 albums, Led Zeppelin retired to a country house in Wales, where the relaxed environment inspired the four to compose eight songs in different styles. Although two — “Black Dog” and “Rock And Roll” — were released as singles, the album’s outstanding track — “Stairway To Heaven” — came out as a 7” radio promo 45 only and today is quite collectible.

Despite its 24 times platinum US sales, in 1971 IV (actually untitled with four symbols chosen by the group members being the only text on the jacket) fell short of the top at #2 on the Billboard LP chart. It did, however, stay on the list for five years.

6. The Beatles – The Beatles (White Album)

Three years before Led Zeppelin’s untitled fourth album, The Beatles released an all-white, double album: the group name being the only graphic on the cover. Whereas the production of each of their previous albums had become more complex and experimental, this one featured a stripped down sound. The tracks covered a wide range of styles which involved various combinations of the four Beatles (and sometimes just one).

Surprisingly — despite the wealth of exceptional music in the 30 tracks — none appeared as singles in the US. Still, many got extensive radio airplay, among them “Back In The USSR,” “While My Guitar Gently Weeps,” “Birthday,” and “Blackbird.” Todate domestic sales total 24 million.

7. Billy Joel – Greatest Hits, Volume I & Volume II

Billy Joel is a swagger-and-attitude New York kind of guy with a tender side, and through both he created songs with universal appeal. The 23 million-selling Greatest Hits collected a majority of his singles from 1974-1985 including 18 Top 40 hits, plus one of his signature songs: “New York State Of Mine” (composed during a Greyhoundbus ride).

Some of the more notable of his single sides were the #1 hits — “It’s Still Rock And Roll To Me” and “Tell Her About It” — and the #3’s — “Just The Way You Are,” “My Life,” and “Uptown Girl.” Post-1985, Joel released more hit records until 1993 when he essentially retired from recording pop music.

8. Garth Brooks – Double Live

If you didn’t follow country music in the 1990’s, the name Garth Brooks might not be a familiar one. If so, here’s a short introduction. During that decade, every one of his original 12 album releases sold multi-platinum with nine achieving vaunted diamond (10 million units) status: the only artist to do so. Included in them were over 70 (!!) country chart singles, of which 18 topped the Billboard country chart. Upon its release in 1998, Double Live debuted at #1 on The Billboard 200 album list, broke existing sales records, and is now — at 23 million copies and counting — the best selling live album in US music history.

9. Pink Floyd – The Wall

In 1978 — after releasing 10 albums in nine-and-a-half years (including an unqualified masterpiece in The Dark Side Of The Moon) — one may have legitimately wondered how Pink Floyd could possibly top its previous output. The answer appeared in November, 1979 with release of The Wall.

Born out of isolation and alienation from their audience, bassist Roger Waters forged the foundation of a rock opera, with later important input from guitarist David Gilmore. The resulting album has sold 23 million copies and spawned a worldwide #1 single in “Another Brick In The Wall Part II”: a pointed protest against subjugation in the name of education, which featured elements of disco and a choir comprised of school children.

10. Hootie & The Blowfish – Cracked Rear View

With an unusual name comprised of the nicknames of two of lead singer Darius Rucker’s friends, Hootie & The Blowfish recorded and mixed their debut major label record in just seven weeks. Then the wait began. Released in 1994, Cracked Rear View — its title taken from a John Hiatt lyric — took almost a year to reach #1 on Billboard magazine’s album chart, then went on to sell 22 million copies. Additionally, five of its tracks became hit singles, among them three Top 10’s: “Hold My Hand” — with David Crosby on backing vocal — “Let Her Cry” and “Only Wanna Be With You.” H&TB took a 10 year break in 2008, during which Rucker embarked on a successful country music career.

11. Fleetwood Mac – Rumours 

By 1974 when Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks joined Mick Fleetwood, and John and Christine McVie in Fleetwood Mac, the band had already released nine blues-rock albums with some UK chart success over the previous seven years. This new incarnation scored instantly with its self-titled album, followed by their masterpiece Rumours in 1977. That album spun off four Top 10 singles: “Go Your Own Way,” “Dreams,” “Don’t Stop,” and “You Make Loving Fun.”

Rumours was a worldwide success and has sold 21 million copies, so far. That it contains such excellent music is all the more remarkable given the ongoing internal relationship turmoil between the five members. The album remains a cornerstone on lists of the best selling albums of all time, cementing Fleetwood Mac’s place in music history.

12. Green Day – Dookie 

In 1987 two California 15-year-old high school students formed a punk/rock band that morphed into a trio named Green Day (a marijuana reference) two years later. Several  indie releases and extensive touring sparked major label interest, resulting in the  release of Dookie in 1994. Initial recording sessions lasted three weeks with songwriter  Bille Joe Armstrong laying down most of his lead vocals in one take.

The lyrics were  inspired by Armstrong’s personal experiences and resonated strongly with young  people, who drove sales to 20 million. Five tracks appeared as singles: “Long View,” “Basket Case,” “Welcome To Paradise,” “When I Come Around,” and “She”: three of  which reached #1 on Billboard’s Modern Rock chart.  

13. Shania Twain – Come On Over 

From 1997 — the year Shania Twain’s Come On Over was released — until 2022, it  held the record for most weeks at #1 — 50 — on Billboard magazine’s Top Country  Albums chart (its run was tied in 2019). SoundScan began digitally counting actual  sales in 1991 and on that tally it’s rank is #2. To date it’s sold 20 million. Shania’s  childhood was tumultuous and she began singing in bars at age eight to help pay the family bills. She was 27 when her first album appeared.

The follow-up LP spent 29 weeks at #1. Next came Come On Over. Eleven of its 16 tracks also charted as single  sides: eight reached the country Top 10 with “Love Gets Me Every Time,” “Honey, I’m Home,” and “You’re Still The One” going all the way to the top.

14. Bob Marley & The Wailers – Legend 

It’s safe to say that even those unfamiliar with reggae music know the name Bob Marley. Released in 1984 (three years after his death), his greatest hits compilation Legend had spent 871 nonconsecutive weeks on Billboard magazine’s album chart as of February 2025.

The first Wailers album appeared in 1963 and over the next decade Marley’s music gained increasing recognition, breaking into American mainstream awareness when Eric Clapton scored a #1 smash with Bob’s “I Shot The Sheriff.” Although singles success eluded Marley in the US, several of his albums went gold and Legend has sold 18 million copies. It remains the definitive reggae record on any list of best selling albums of all time.

15. Garth Brooks – No Fences 

In 1990 and 1991 country music was owned by Garth Brooks. His 1989 debut sold multi-platinum, and spun off four Top 10 singles. Nineteen ninety follow-up No Fences  held down the #1 spot for an astounding 41 weeks and yielded four #1 Hot Country  Singles: “Friends In Low Places,” “Unanswered Prayers,” “Two Of A Kind, Working On A Full House,” and “The Thunder Rolls.”

RIAA ranks Garth as the top-selling solo artist of  all time in the US. Apart from the stats — 18 million in sales for No Fences and winning  every award imaginable — it’s Garth’s unique fusion of country, singer/songwriter, and  rock, and his choice of outstanding songs that has made him a true music icon.  

16. Guns N’ Roses – Appetite For Destruction 

Formed in 1985 by members of California bands L.A. Guns and Hollywood Rose, Guns  N’ Roses released its first album Appetite For Destruction two years later. Initial radio  and critical response to the album was virtually nonexistent, and it took a year for it to climb to the top of Billboard magazine’s Top Pop Albums chart.

A few weeks before Appetite’s peak, “Sweet Child O’ Mine” was released as a single, and it also went to #1.  Follow-up singles “Welcome To The Jungle” and “Paradise City” also performed well,  reaching the Top 10. To date Appetite has sold 18 million copies and the rest of the  group’s studio albums have gone platinum or multi-platinum. 

17. Journey – Greatest Hits 

With the release of its fourth LP in 1978 — Infinity — Journey embarked on a sales trip  that saw seven straight albums collectively sell over 27 million copies. Infinity marked a  notable shift in the band’s sound: it was more pop than its original jazz fusion approach  and Steve Perry was now on board as lead singer.

Subsequent albums built on its success, peaking in 1981 with Escape and its three smash hit gold singles: “Who’s Crying Now,” “Don’t Stop Believin’,” and “Open Arms.” Journey’s 1988 Greatest Hits  album underscored the band’s superstar-level popularity, selling 18 million copies and  staying on the album list for almost nine years.  

18. Whitney Houston – The Bodyguard (Soundtrack) 

Listing all of the records broken by and awards given to Whitney Houston’s The  Bodyguard would require an essay much longer than this one, Therefore, in brief, it was  a worldwide #1 sales tsunami that spent 20 weeks at #1 and has sold 18 million copies  in the US alone. The first single from The Bodyguard — “I Will Always Love You” (written and originally recorded by Dolly Parton) — became her 10th #1 and stayed on top for 14 weeks. It was followed by the Top 5 gold 45s “I’m Every Woman” (previously a #1  R&B hit for Chaka Khan) and “I Have Nothing.”  

19. Alanis Morissette – Jagged Little Pill 

Even though Alanis Morissette’s Top 40 chart career was not as expansive as some  other artists on our Best Selling Albums list, the impact of her masterwork Jagged Little  Pill and subsequent albums is undeniable. After two dance-oriented releases in her  native Canada, she moved to LA and recorded JLP. As the singles “You Ought To  Know” and “Hand In My Pocket” gained traction, the album followed suit, reaching #1, staying there for three months, and winning five Grammy awards. Along the way, it spun off three Top 10 singles: “Ironic,” “You Learn” and “Head Over Feet” and ultimately sold 17 million copies.  

20. Boston – Boston 

Despite Boston founder Tom Scholz’ diploma from MIT and his high-tech guitar sound,  nary a computer nor synthesizer were used in creating Boston (the album). In fact,  Scholz played most of the (real) instruments and Brad Delp laid down the vocals in  Tom’s basement home studio. The debut single “More Than A Feeling” (with its nod to  “Walk Away Renee” by The Left Banke) and the album gained immediate attention and sales. Although two further singles — “Long Time” and “Peace Of Mind” — weren’t as big for Top 40 chartwise, they became staples of FM classic rock radio. Recorded for just a few thousand dollars, Boston — with sales of 17 million — ultimately returned on its  investment many, many times that.  

21. Bruce Springsteen – Born In The U.S.A. 

After nine years of limited singles success and building album sales show-by-show,  1984 was the year of Bruce. It all began when his manager/co-producer Jon Landau  confronted Bruce: his new album lacked a hit single. Angry and frustrated, Springsteen banged out “Dancing In The Dark” overnight. As it was climbing the Top 40 chart, Born  In The U.S.A. was released and it reached #1 four weeks later on July 7, 1984.  “Dancing” sat at #2 on the Hot 100. An astounding six more Top 10 singles drawn from  the album followed, while BITUSA stayed at #1 for 15 weeks, was Billboard’s top album  of 1985, and went on to sell 17 million copies.  

22. Elton John – Greatest Hits 

When Elton John’s Greatest Hits LP was released in November, 1974, the former  Reginald Kenneth Dwight was a star with nine Top 10 singles to his credit. All — plus his  first US 45 “Border Song” — made up the track listing on this first hits compilation. Included were Elton’s first two #1 records: “Crocodile Rock” and “Bennie And The Jets”.  “Crocodile Rock” name-checked a fictional dance with a sound inspired by Australia’s  retro-50s band Daddy Cool while “Bennie and The Jets” was about a fictional band.  Based on chart performance (not sales), Billboard named Greatest Hits as the #1 album  of 1975. To date it has moved 17 million copies.  

23. The Beatles – 1967 – 1970 

After The Beatles (AKA The White Album) — the #6 all-time best seller in the US — the  Fab Four’s next entry on this list came about in response to an unauthorized bootleg  four LP set that collected a whopping 60 group and solo Beatles tracks. It prompted  Apple and EMI to release two “official” double disc compilations: 1962 – 1966 (the “Red  Album”) and 1967 – 1970 (the “Blue Album”). Included were 28 Beatles single sides and  album tracks. Gracing the cover was a 1969 photo that recreated the iconic one on the group’s first UK album Please Please Me. 1967 – 1970 topped the Billboard album chart in 1973 and has sold 17 million copies.  

24. Bee Gees – Saturday Night Fever (Soundtrack) 

After several years of hot disco action on the Top 40, in 1977 the dance genre gave up  ground to other genres. Then — on November 15 — RSO Records released the double  disc soundtrack album of Saturday Night Fever: The movie debuted in theaters the next  month.

Although the Bee Gees performed only six of the 17 tracks, those made up the  album’s centerpiece. Included were three previous #1 singles: “Jive Talkin’,” “You  Should Be Dancing,” and “How Deep Is Your Love.” Two of the new compositions also  became chart toppers: “Stayin’ Alive” and “Night Fever.” The three Australian brothers  became the poster children for disco as the album stayed at #1 for 24 weeks and  ultimately sold 16 million copies.  

25. Led Zeppelin – Physical Graffiti  

For Led Zeppelin’s sixth album, the band returned to Headley Grange mansion in Wales where IV had been recorded. The country house, in which instruments were always set  up and the mobile recording unit was ready to roll tape, allowed the four to relax and  stretch out musically.

Finding that they had enough material for three LP sides, the band  filled out the fourth with previously recorded tracks. Released in early 1975, Graffiti soared to #1. Despite the wealth of great music on it — notably “Kashmir” — only  “Trampled Under Foot” became a single, and it barely cracked the Top 40. However,  Physical Graffiti just rolled on, selling 16 million copies, so far.  

26. Metallica – Metallica (“The Black Album”) 

It had been three years since Metallica’s multi-platinum …And Justice For All LP (the  band’s fourth album) when Metallic hit the stores in August, 1991. During that interval,  the band realized that it had reached the creative end of its previous musical route. This  resulted in a back-to-basics approach that produced shorter, more straightforward  songs.

A new producer brought new ideas to the table, such as the use of strings, which  often provoked arguments with the band members. Stressful times aside, the result was  Metallic’s first #1 album and all-time best seller at 16 million units moved. It’s also the  top selling album of the “SoundScan Era”: which began in 1991 and uses a tracking  system to tally actual sales.  

27. Bon Jovi – Slippery When Wet 

Three years and two albums into his music career, Jon Bon Jovi was looking like the  proverbial bridesmaid, never the bride. For LP number three, Jon and guitarist/ songwriter Richie Sambora collaborated with Desmond Child (co-writer of “I Was Made  For Lovin’ You” by KISS) on several songs.

The three set about writing one for  Loverboy, but then decided to keep “You Give Love A Bad Name” for themselves. Good  move: it became Bon Jovi’s first Top 40 hit and went to #1. Another track composed by the trio — “Livin’ On A Prayer” — did likewise. “Wanted Dead Or Alive” then reached #7.  Meanwhile the album Slippery When Wet hit #1 in October, 1986, two months after its  release. It kicked off a string of multi-platinum releases and has itself sold 15 million  copies.

  

28. Pink Floyd – The Dark Side Of The Moon 

One album that unquestionably deserves recognition as a bona fide “rock classic” is  The Dark Side Of The Moon. Formed in 1965, Pink Floyd established a reputation as  the most innovative band around through seven album releases and live concerts. They  played the material that would make up LP number eight live in January, 1972, and  continued fine tuning it on stage and in the studio.

The title referred to insanity (notably  the mental health problems of founding member Syd Barrett) and the songs examined  the pressures of modern life (especially those of the group members). Released in  March, 1973, DSOTM has remained on The Billboard 200 chart for an astonishing 1000  weeks (as of this posting) and has sold 15 million copies.  

29. Santana – Supernatural 

In the beginning, the music of the Santana Blues Band was based in just that: blues.  Formed in 1966, by the time they got to Woodstock in August, 1969, Carlos and gang  had fashioned a fusion of blues, rock, and Latin jazz. That same month Santana was released, launching a career of successful albums through 1982.

Seventeen years later,  Santana exploded on to the scene again with Supernatural. The leadoff single  “Smooth,” featuring Matchbox Twenty lead singer Rob Thomas, bolted to #1 where it  stayed for 12 weeks, as did the album. On February 23, 2000 Supernatural took home eight Grammy awards (tying Michael Jackson’s record one night win total) and has now  sold 15 million copies.  

30. The Steve Miller Band – Greatest Hits 1974 – 1978 

As a boy, Steve Miller was encouraged by guitar great Les Paul, and was schooled by  the likes of bluesman T-Bone Walker. His first band included Boz Scaggs, who was also  on board for Steve’s first two albums in 1968. Chart success eluded Miller for seven  studio albums until 1973 when The Joker LP and the title track single broke him  nationally.

After “The Joker” reached #1, almost three years passed before “Rock’n Me”  duplicated that feat. The Top 10 records “Fly Like An Eagle” and “Jet Airliner” followed.  Greatest Hits — which included Miller’s Top 40 singles to date — debuted on the Billboard LP chart in late ’78. Although it stalled at #18 then, Greatest Hits ultimately  sold 15 million copies.  

#31. The Beatles – The Beatles 1962 – 1966

Released in 1973, this companion piece to The Beatles – 1967 – 1970 (see above) has moved 15 million units, for a combined total of 32 million. The included songs in 1962 -1966 were all penned by Lennon and McCartney: none of the Fab Four’s single sides that were covers of songs by other artists — such as “Twist And Shout,” “Matchbox,” and “Slow Down” — made the cut. The earlier UK and US Beatles LPs had different track listings, while these “Red” and “Blue” compilations contained the same tracks, yet with some version differences between them. In 2023 expanded, remixed editions appeared and once again made their mark on the national album chart.

#32. Adele – 21

In 1991 Billboard began compiling its weekly charts using data provided by SoundScan which tallied actual sales. This had an immediate impact on the weeks spent at #1. In the 21st century a stay on top beyond one week was very rare. Enter Adele and her second studio album 21. Born out of the breakup of her current romantic relationship, the songs’ lyrics and soulful sound struck a deep chord with the public.

It debuted at #1 on The Billboard 200 and stayed there for an astounding 24 consecutive weeks. Three tracks released as singles also peaked at #1: “Rolling In The Deep,” “Set Fire To The Rain,” and “Someone Like You.” To date 21 has sold 14 million copies in America. Its cultural impact and chart dominance make it a staple among the Best Selling Albums of All Time.

#33. Backstreet Boys – Backstreet Boys

The term “boy band” was first commonly applied to popsters New Kids On The Block whose vocal style was based on that of R&B groups New Edition and Boyz II Men. NKOTB’s success prompted music mogul (and con man) Lou Pearlman to put together Backstreet Boys in 1993. Their debut album dropped outside of the US in mid-1996.

Just over a year later it was released in America with tracks from BB’s first and second international-only LPs. While its first single track had failed in 1995, four tracks from Backstreet Boys went Top 5 in 1998 and 1999: “Quit Playing Games (With My Heart),” “As Long As You Love Me,” “I’ll Never Break Your Heart,” and “All I Have To Give.” Album sales now stand at 14 million.

#34. Britney Spears – …Baby One More Time

At just seventeen, Mickey Mouse Club alum Britney Spears exploded onto the charts, with her debut album …Baby One More Time and its title single both climbing to #1 in January 1999. In fact, the album entered the Billboard 200 at #1, sparked a run of seven straight platinum-selling discs, has currently sold 14 million copies, and holds the Guinness World Record for best-selling album by a teen solo artist.

The writer of “Baby” was Swedish where his original title “Hit me baby one more time” didn’t have the same domestic violence implications as in America, hence the title change to “… Baby.” Its provocative school girl video — in which Britney wore clothing bought at K-Mart for $17 — was very instrumental in making her a pop phenom.

#35. Carole King – Tapestry

Seventeen-year-old Carole King married college friend, twenty-three-year old Gerry Goffin in 1959. In the evening, they wrote songs together. They celebrated their respective birthdays with a #1 single in early 1961: “Will You Love Me Tomorrow” by The Shirelles, sparking a run of Top 40 hits through 1967 and Aretha Franklin’s “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman.”

After their divorce, Carole moved to LA and released her second solo album. On June 19, 1971 both Tapestry and its lead-off single “It’s Too Late”/“I Feel The Earth Move” reached #1. After five weeks on top and a one week break, James Taylor’s recording of the album’s “You’ve Got A Friend” did likewise. Tapestry stayed on the Billboard Top LP’s chart for six years and has sold 14 million copies.

#36. Garth Brooks – Ropin’ The Wind

Ropin’ The Wind was Garth’s third studio album and his third on this Best Selling Albums list. It debuted at #1 on the pop and the country LP charts in 1991. Amazingly on the country list Garth held down the top spot for all but one week that year as Ropin’ The Wind traded places with his previous album No Fences: a run that didn’t end until April 1992.

Four of its 10 tracks were spun off as singles and all were Top 3 country hits: “Rodeo,” “Shameless” (a Billy Joel song), “What She’s Doing Now,” and “Papa Loved Mama.” Combined with the four #1 45s from No Fences, those on Ropin’ made it six out of a career total of 19. And if that weren’t enough success, Garth’s first 12 albums sold multi-platinum with Ropin’ The Wind accounting for 14 million. Its consistent chart presence confirms its place in the Best Selling Albums of All Time.

#37. Meat Loaf – Bat Out Of Hell

An oversized actor who adopted as his stage name what he had been called as a boy and a composer of show music who had an idea for a futuristic musical version of Peter Pan made up one of the most unlikely success partnerships in pop music history. Meat Loaf (born Marvin Lee Aday) met Jim Steinman in 1973 and they began collaborating on songs that would make up Bat Out Of Hell.

Producer Todd Rundgren directed members of his band Utopia and Springsteen’s E Street Band in the studio. Label interest was nil, reception was hostile, and initial sales were slow. An appearance in March 1978 on Saturday Night Live and success of the single “Two Out Of Three Ain’t Bad” finally ignited the album, which has moved 14 million copies.

#38. Simon & Garfunkel – Simon & Garfunkel’s Greatest Hits

Simon & Garfunkel had their first taste of success with “Hey, Schoolgirl” in 1957 as Tom & Jerry. When subsequent efforts failed, they parted ways, reuniting in 1964 for the folk LP Wednesday Morning, 3 A.M., which did nothing. Paul moved to London and Art returned to university. Meanwhile college students picked up on the Wednesday track “The Sound Of Silence,” prompting its producer to add electric guitar, bass, and drums to the original acoustic recording.

The remixed single reached #1 on New Year’s week 1966: 14 months after the album was released. Five platinum-plus albums followed. In 1972 — two years after S&G disbanded — Greatest Hits collected studio and live versions of their singles into an album that’s sold 14 million copies.

#39. Original Soundtrack – Dirty Dancing

It’s the summer of 1987 and women are all abuzz about a summer of ’63 movie: Dirty Dancing. Made for a mere 4.5 million dollars, it did $214 million at the box office. Its soundtrack of rock ’n’ roll “golden oldies” and new made-for-the-film tracks was a worldwide hit. The main song single “(I’ve Had) The Time Of My Life” almost didn’t happen.

Many times music producer Jimmy Ienner asked Righteous Brother Bill Medley to perform the song and each time he refused until Ienner told him that Jennifer Warnes was on board if Bill was. “(I’ve Had) The Time Of My Life” went to #1 and won the two a Grammy award. Copies sold to date of Dirty Dancing — the album — equal 14 million copies.

#40. Usher – Confessions

For his fourth studio album, Usher drew inspiration from rapper Eminem’s music and created songs that “kept it real,”: displaying an honesty drawn from Usher’s personal experiences. Musically, he added hip hop onto his R&B foundation for a fresh new mixture of genres. The public’s response to Confessions was instantaneous and strong.

It became an international smash and spun off three pop #1 tracks: “Yeah!,” “Burn” (“Burn” replaced “Yeah!” on top), and “Confessions Part II.” A special edition release of Confessions later in 2004 included a fourth #1 “My Bad”: a duet with Alicia Keys. Usher’s album spent 10 weeks on top — the best-performing album of the year — and went on to sell 14 million copies.

#41. Whitney Houston – Whitney Houston

Although 1985 was Whitney Houston’s breakthrough year on the Hot 100 singles chart, it took a year for Whitney Houston to reach #1 on the album list. Both it and her debut single “You Give Good Love” came out in February 1985. “You Give” went gold, as did “Saving All My Love For You,” “How Will I Know,” and “Greatest Love Of All,” with the last peaking in May 1986.

Meanwhile, Whitney Houston entered the Billboard 200 in March 1985 and reached the Top 10 in September, where it remained off and on until finally topping the list in March 1986 on its 50th chart week. Whitney ultimately placed 23 singles in the Top 10 and released nine multi-platinum albums, with this one selling 14 million copies.

#42. Backstreet Boys – Millennium

Whereas Backstreet Boys — the boy band’s first U.S. album — has sold more copies than their second, it was the latter that became their first #1. In fact, Millennium debuted on top in June 1999 as its first single (and BB’s signature song) “I Want It That Way” was nearing its chart peak. The third released track “Show Me The Meaning Of Being Lonely” matched “I Want It That Way”’s #6 peak, and two other singles made the Top 30.

Max Martin — who co-wrote “I Want It That Way” — also penned Britney Spears’s “…Baby One More Time.” As for Millennium, it cemented the band’s place in pop music history, ultimately selling 13 million copies and helping to boost total album sales of the Backstreet Boys above those of rival boy band NSYNC.

#43. Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band – Live 1975–1985

Through Bruce Springsteen’s lean sales of his first two albums and an almost three-year span between releases because of a lawsuit, he continued to build his fan base through constant touring and legendary live shows. Album number eight captured the excitement of Bruce and band across 40 live tracks drawn from 10 years on the road.

First up for single release was his cover of Edwin Starr’s 1970 #1 smash “War.” Bruce’s version — from its first-time-ever performance at the LA Coliseum on September 30, 1985 — peaked at #8. Live jumped on the Billboard Top Pop Albums chart at #1 the week of November 29, 1986 and has sold 13 million copies, second only to Garth Brooks’s concert album on this list.

#44. Nirvana – Nevermind

Even though Nirvana’s management and label knew the band was going to be successful, they were unprepared for the immediate positive response to Nevermind from radio, stores, and fans. Even leader Kurt Cobain’s dream achievement was just to be bigger than cult alt rockers The Pixies. The label predicted sales of around 250,000 rather than a platinum album that reached #1 in January 1991 and went on to sell 13 million copies.

Cobain set out to write the ultimate pop song and came up with “Smells Like Teen Spirit,” a title taken from a girlfriend’s comment that he smelled like the deodorant Teen Spirit. (Kurt thought it referred to rebellion.) Nevermind’s fusion of grunge, punk, rock, and pop created a seismic shift in contemporary music still in play today.

#45. Outkast – Speakerboxxx/The Love Below

Outkast was an Atlanta hip-hop duo comprised of Big Boi (Antwan Patton) and André 3000 (André Benjamin), each of whom brought a unique sensibility to their music. They were teens when signed to the successful urban label LaFace, and they released four best-selling albums before their big breakthrough with Speakerboxxx/The Love Below.

Released as a concept double album, it was, in essence, two solo efforts: each embracing a wide and different range of styles beyond hip-hop. André’s “Hey Ya!” and Big Boi’s “The Way You Move” became back-to-back #1s in late 2003/early 2004, while the album debuted at #1 and won Album of the Year and Best Rap Album Grammys. It’s sold 13 million copies.

#46. Pearl Jam – 10

After the coming-and-going of members, Eddie Vedder joined Seattle grunge band Mookie Blaylock — named after an all-star NBA player — as lead vocalist/lyricist, and the band was quickly signed to Epic Records. Recording of the first album Ten (Mookie’s jersey number) took place in spring 1991 and was released in August under the group’s new name Pearl Jam.

Although now considered a seminal grunge rock album, Ten’s ascent was slow (it took exactly a year to reach #2). It stayed on the Billboard Top 200 for five years and has now sold 13 million copies. (In 2004, the Library of Congress acknowledged 10 for its cultural significance.) Also, the tracks “Alive,” “Even Flow” (a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame song), “Jeremy,” and “Black” became solid Mainstream Rock chart hits.

#47. Prince and The Revolution – Purple Rain (Soundtrack)

When 1999 broke Prince Rogers Nelson (after his musician father’s stage name Prince Rogers), the singer/multi-instrumentalist/composer/producer was only just beginning his journey to legendary status. The initial tracks for Purple Rain were from a live recording made at a Minneapolis benefit concert that he did with The Revolution in the summer of 1983.

Two hit tracks from that gig landed on the album: “Purple Rain” and “I Would Die 4 U.” Excited by the live experience, Prince set up an informal rehearsal space session that resulted in “Let’s Go Crazy.” With the semi-autobiographical film Purple Rain already in production, Prince alone played all the instruments for “When Doves Cry.” As for the album, it stayed at #1 for 24 weeks and has sold 13 million copies to date.

#48. Grease (Soundtrack)

The musical Grease opened on Broadway in 1972 and closed in 1980. Grease the movie — set at Rydell High School in 1958 — was released in 1978 and starred John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John. (Movie teen Olivia was then 29, six years older than John.) For the theme song, producer Robert Stigwood turned to one of his label artists, Bee Gee Barry Gibb, who sketched out “Grease” in an hour while watching television.

Frankie Valli — lead singer of ‘60s superstar group The 4 Seasons — sang the song to #1, matching the previous peak of Travolta and Newton-John’s “You’re The One That I Want.” Combined, the Stigwood musical soundtracks from Saturday Night Fever and Grease stayed at #1 for 36 weeks in 1978 and have sold 39 million copies, with Grease accounting for 13 million.

#49. The Chicks (formerly Dixie Chicks) – Wide Open Spaces

Formed in 1989 in Dallas, The Dixie Chicks — from the Little Feat album Dixie Chicken — released three independent label records before Natalie Maines joined multi-instrumentalist sisters Martie McGuire and Emily Strayer as lead vocalist. Signed by Sony Music’s Nashville division, the new lineup of The Chicks released Wide Open Spaces, which moved away from their original bluegrass sound to a more contemporary one.

Lead-off single “I Can Love You Better” broke into the country Top 10; follow-ups “There’s Your Trouble,” “Wide Open Spaces,” and “You Were Mine” all went to #1; then “Tonight The Heartache’s On Me” also cracked the Top 10. A year after its release, Wide Open Spaces topped its chart and has sold 13 million copies.

#50. NSYNC – No Strings Attached

The public coming-out of boy band NSYNC took place on October 22, 1995 in Orlando, FL. They were signed to BMG in Munich, and their first album was released in Germany in May 1997 and in America in March 1998. A Christmas album dropped later that year, followed by No Strings Attached.

The previous year had seen NSYNC sue their self-styled svengali Lou Pearlman for defrauding them and win their freedom to pursue their music career with “no strings attached.” Released on March 7, 2000, the album exploded, selling 2.4 million in its first week: a record that stood for over 15 years until Adele’s 21 broke it.

The tracks “Bye Bye Bye,” “It’s Gonna Be Me,” and “This I Promise You” became Top 5 singles. To date, No Strings has sold 12 million copies.

#51. Aerosmith – Aerosmith’s Greatest Hits

America’s all-time best-selling hard rock band began life in 1970 when Steven Tyler and Joe Perry met at a small-town ice cream parlor in New Hampshire. Aerosmith’s classic lineup of five quickly coalesced and — except for a few interruptions — remained constant until its retirement from touring in 2024.

Along the way, the group released 15 studio albums, nine of which sold multi-platinum, as well as numerous live and compilation discs. Of the latter, the most popular — at 12 million sold — is 1980’s Greatest Hits collection.

Included in the 10 tracks were the Top 10 singles “Dream On” (teenage Tyler came up with its melody while playing around on piano) and “Walk This Way” (based on a guitar riff Perry came up with while on tour in Hawaii).

#52. Boyz II Men – II

Inspired by the sound of 1980s R&B hitmakers New Edition and taking their name from the title of one of that group’s songs, Boyz II Men became the most successful boy band of them all. Formed in Philadelphia in 1985, the original quartet had its first album and singles hits in 1991. Their second non-holiday album — II — appeared in August 1994 as its track “I’ll Make Love To You” reached #1, where it stayed for 14 weeks.

“On Bended Knee” then replaced it for a six-week run on top: the first back-to-back #1s by an artist since The Beatles in 1964. “Water Runs Dry” was the third smash track. All three also scored high on the R&B and adult contemporary lists. As for II, it entered the album chart at #1 and has sold 12 million copies.

#53. Celine Dion – Falling Into You

By 1991, when French Canadian singer Celine Dion landed her first chart hit in the U.S., the youngest of 14 children had already recorded eight French-language albums. She celebrated her 22nd birthday with the release of her first English-language album. Six years later, in 1996, her fourth — Falling Into You — became her first American #1, ultimately selling 12 million copies.

“Because You Loved Me” (the theme song for Up Close & Personal starring Robert Redford and Michelle Pfeiffer), “It’s All Coming Back To Me Now” (composed by Jim Steinman of Bat Out Of Hell fame), and “All By Myself” (a 1976 gold single by Eric Carmen) were all big pop hits. With Falling Into You, Celine Dion became the worldwide Queen of the Power Ballad.

#54. Creedence Clearwater Revival – Chronicle: 20 Greatest Hits

CCR holds the dubious distinction of having five Billboard Hot 100 #2 singles, none of which reached #1. Also, seven of their 45s were double-sided chart records: an uncommon occurrence in 1969, 1970, and 1971. The high school foursome was formed in 1959 in El Cerrito, CA, releasing three 45s as Tommy Fogerty and The Blue Velvets, and seven as The Golliwogs, before settling on Creedence Clearwater Revival.

Under their new name, CCR released a failed single, then scored a national hit with “Suzie Q. (Part One).” And thus began their string of smashes. The twelve-times platinum-selling Chronicle collected all 20 of their chart sides, including those #2s: “Proud Mary,” “Bad Moon Rising,” “Green River,” “Travelin’ Band,” and “Lookin’ Out My Back Door.”

#55. Def Leppard – Hysteria

Between start-and-stop recording and drummer Rick Allen’s loss of his left arm in an automobile accident, Def Leppard’s best-selling album took three years from initial sessions to its release date in August 1987. In the band’s native England, Hysteria was an instant success. However, momentum generated in the U.S. by their previous multi-platinum album Pyromania had dissipated, and it took almost a year for Hysteria to reach #1.

After its first single failed, the next two fared better, and then Def Leppard broke through with “Pour Some Sugar On Me” (with nods to “Walk This Way” and “Sugar, Sugar”), “Love Bites” (the band’s only #1), and “Armageddon It.” In total, six Hysteria tracks cracked the Hot 100 Top 20, and the album went on to sell 12 million copies.

#56. Eminem – The Eminem Show

Marshall Bruce Mathers III — AKA Eminem — has chalked up 11 #1 studio albums, one greatest hits collection, and one soundtrack album (for 8 Mile). Seven of those albums sold multi-platinum, making him the most successful rapper ever. Eminem’s teenage at-home years in Detroit were rough, and he escaped through immersion in rap words and rhymes.

He was 26 when The Slim Shady LP broke him nationally in 1999. It and his next album sold multi-platinum, as did The Eminem Show (which has moved 12 million copies to date). For that one, Eminem funneled his inner turmoil about his “circus” life of fame (think that of Jim Carrey’s character in The Truman Show) into his music. In addition to his exceptional commercial success, Eminem became the voice for the disenfranchised.

#57. Jewel – Pieces Of You

Although her chart and sales success seems modest compared to others on this list, the impact of Jewel Kilcher’s 1995 12-million-selling debut album is undeniable. Her rags-to-riches life story plays like a Hollywood movie: her parents divorcing when she was a child, growing up in Alaska with no indoor plumbing or heat, performing with her father in roadhouses, before studying operatic voice at a prominent arts institute.

Living out of her van, she was discovered playing in a coffeehouse. Pieces Of You — which appeared when she was 20 — took a year to enter the Billboard 200 and another to peak at #4. The tracks “Who Will Save Your Soul” (the first song Jewel ever wrote) and “You Were Meant For Me” were re-recorded for single release and became, along with “Foolish Games,” Hot 100 chart hits.

#58. Kenny G – Breathless

As the leading proponent of “smooth jazz,” Kenneth Bruce Gorelick has experienced spectacular commercial success and been roundly criticized for his lack of improvisation inherent in “true” jazz in favor of watered-down, instrumental pop noodling. Kenny G’s professional path began at age 17 as a saxophonist with Barry White’s Love Unlimited Orchestra, followed by stints with a couple of funk and jazz fusion outfits.

After stepping out solo, his fourth album Duotones (with its Top 10 hit “Songbird”) kicked off a string of multi-platinum releases, including his 1992 sales pinnacle (at 10 million copies), Breathless. It was a crossover chart smash — Contemporary Jazz, Pop, and R&B — and spun off the Grammy Award-winning track “Forever In Love.” Criticism from the “real” jazz camp aside, Kenny G is the most successful instrumentalist of all time.

#59. Kenny Rogers – Kenny Rogers’ Greatest Hits

From his early recorded efforts with a group called The Scholars in 1956 at age 17, through attempts as a teen pop star, playing bass in a jazz trio, and then on to pop-folk as a member of The New Christy Minstrels before finally reaching the Hot 100 Top 5 in 1968 with a psych rock single and a superstar career in pop and country music and television — Kenny Rogers did it all.

Between 1977 and 1987, he racked up 20 #1 country singles, many of which crossed over to pop. Then there were his 11 chart-topping country albums, the most successful of which is the 12-times platinum Greatest Hits, which included his biggest pop 45 “Lady” (produced by Lionel Richie) and 1980’s top country single of the year “Coward Of The County.”

#60. Led Zeppelin – Led Zeppelin II

When guitarist Jimmy Page formed Led Zeppelin in 1968 with vocalist Robert Plant, bassist/keyboardist John Paul Jones, and drummer John Bonham, he had already been an ace session musician and member of the seminal hard rock band The Yardbirds. He and the other three played very briefly as The New Yardbirds, which morphed into Led Zeppelin in late 1968.

The band’s first album sold multi-platinum, as did all eight of their studio albums, including 12 million copies of II. Zeppelin’s first U.S. hit “Whole Lotta Love” was released a year later and peaked at #4. Written and recorded while the group was on tour, II was an unqualified worldwide success and is considered by many to be the quintessential heavy rock album.

#61. Linkin Park – Hybrid Theory

With a name that was a variation on LA’s Lincoln Park and sporting a nu-metal sound pioneered by bands such as Korn and Limp Bizkit, Linkin Park rode to the peak of the genre with its 12-million-selling debut album Hybrid Theory. Formed in 1996 as Xero (later named Hybrid Theory), the hiring of vocalist Chester Bennington in 1999 helped secure them a record deal after rejections from numerous labels.

The band’s nine-track demo tape — comprised of songs that dealt with the challenges Bennington encountered as a child — provided the basis for the album. Released on October 24, 2000, it took 62 weeks on the Billboard 200 to reach #2, powered by the strong performance of “One Step Closer” and “Crawling” on rock radio, and the crossover Hot 100 track “In The End.”

#62. Matchbox 20 – Yourself or Someone Like You

Some artists wait a long time for success, others never achieve it. For Matchbox 20 (taken from patches spotted on a customer’s softball shirt by the band’s drummer when he was a waiter in Florida), it found them with their 1996 debut album Yourself Or Someone Like You. Promo copies of it were titled Woodshed Diaries until members Rob Thomas and Paul Doucette heard a singer say “Here’s a song for you, or someone like you,” and they insisted that the label use that.

Upon release, YOSLY sold a whopping 610 copies in the first week before gaining momentum from the Top 10 hits “Push,” “3 AM,” and “Real World.” To date, it’s sold 12 million copies. (Thomas later co-wrote and sang lead on Santana’s super smash “Smooth.”)

#63. Norah Jones – Come Away With Me

Although her father is the renowned sitar musician Ravi Shankar and she was born in Manhattan, Norah Jones’s roots reside in northeast Texas (where she grew up with her mother). There, she sang in a local Methodist church and in the high school choir, and played alto sax. After university, she moved to New York City, where she was discovered singing at Manhattan’s music venue The Living Room.

In March 2002 — just shy of her 23rd birthday — Norah’s debut album Come Away With Me was released. Nine months later, it reached #1 and went on to sell 12 million copies. It and Norah won five Grammy Awards, including Record of the Year and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance for the track “Don’t Know Why.”

#64. Phil Collins – No Jacket Required

In rock, it wasn’t unusual for the vocalist to leave for an individual career. However, in Phil Collins’s case, he successfully stepped out and continued with Genesis as its drummer and lead vocalist. Following solo albums in 1981 and 1982, over two years passed before No Jacket Required: its title referencing an incident when he was refused admittance to a Chicago restaurant because his attire did not meet its dress code.

In contrast to his previous songs, No Jacket contained more uptempo tunes, among them the hit singles “Sussudio” (decidedly similar to Prince’s “1999”), “Don’t Lose My Number” (even Phil has no idea what the lyrics mean), and “Take Me Home” (with Sting and Peter Gabriel on backing vocals). The album won three Grammy Awards and has moved 12 million copies.

#65. Shania Twain – The Woman in Me

Shania Twain’s second best-selling album on this list was also her second release. The Woman In Me smothered the competition on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart in 1995 and performed strongly well into 1996, ultimately selling 12 million copies. After the lukewarm sales of her eponymous album, Shania’s husband/producer “Mutt” Lange (AC/DC, Foreigner, Def Leppard) helmed her second one.

The resulting blend of rock and country elements proved a potent one. Its first single release — “Any Man Of Mine” / “Whose Bed Have Your Boots Been Under” — was a double-sided hit, as was the next: “(If You’re Not In It For Love) I’m Outta Here” / “The Woman In Me (Needs The Man In You).” “You Win My Love” and “No One Needs To Know” made it four #1 country hits from The Woman In Me.

#66. Forrest Gump – Original Soundtrack

The fourth highest-grossing film of the 1990s was released in 1994, won six Academy Awards — including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor — and its soundtrack album has sold 12 million copies. The two-disc LP contained 32 songs, all of which had been previously released and chosen to underscore specific time periods covered in the movie.

All of the tracks used were American because those were the only records main character Forrest would have bought. As such, the repertoire ranges from “Hound Dog” (Elvis Presley) to “Blowin’ In The Wind” (Joan Baez) and “For What It’s Worth” (Buffalo Springfield) to “Get Together” (The Youngbloods) and “Sweet Home Alabama” (Lynyrd Skynyrd). Chart-wise, Forrest Gump peaked at #2, blocked from the top spot by The Lion King soundtrack.

#67. The Beatles – Abbey Road

After acting as producer on all The Beatles albums so far, George Martin — tired of the in-fighting and rejection of his ideas — turned down the job for Let It Be, then agreed to helm Abbey Road only after Paul promised him that they would work together as before. Sessions began in February 1969, and after a concentrated series of dates in July and early August, recording was completed on August 20: the last time the four were in the studio together.

(Sessions for their last-released album Let It Be had been held before those for AR.) Although only two tracks appeared as single sides — “Come Together” and “Something” — radio airplay on the others was heavy, including an extended medley made up of fragments of songs composed by John and Paul. Total U.S. sales of Abbey Road stand at 12 million copies.

#68. The Rolling Stones – Hot Rocks

Surprisingly, given a six-decades-plus highly successful recording career, The Rolling Stones place just one album on this list: a greatest hits compilation covering the years 1964 to 1971. During that period, The Stones landed 19 single sides on the Billboard Top 40, of which only nine appeared on Hot Rocks. Along with “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction,” “Get Off Of My Cloud,” “Paint It, Black,” and “Ruby Tuesday” (all #1s), the LP included the B-side “Play With Fire,” the album cut “Under My Thumb,” and the #55 charter “Let’s Spend The Night Together.”

Even though there was enough space left beyond the standard vinyl playing time for more songs, albums then were made up of only 12 tracks. No matter: the ones included have propelled Hot Rocks to twelve-times-platinum sales.

#69. TLC – CrazySexyCool

With an abbreviation name derived from the first names of the original members, TLC broke new ground as pioneers of “new jill swing,” a female counterpart to male gangsta rappers. Their 1992 debut album Oooooooh…On The TLC Tip sold well and spun off three Hot 100 Top 10 singles. Follow-up CrazySexyCool featured a multi-genre blend of music and — despite the diminished creative role of Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes due to personal issues and a stint in rehab — was a #1 album that generated four monster hits, including the chart-toppers “Creep” and “Waterfalls.”

The LP sold 12 million copies and TLC won two Grammys. TLC’s future was looking bright until financial and contractual woes, internal strife, and the death of Lopes while recording their fourth album effectively ended their career.

#70. Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers – Greatest Hits

In 1977, at the height of the disco craze, Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers from Gainesville, FL made their mark on the UK music scene with a sound that harkened back to mid-‘60s rock and gained favor with fans of New Wave. America was slower to catch on. “Breakdown” reached #10 on the Hot 100 in early 1980 at the same time that their third album spent seven weeks at #2. From then on, Petty and crew were a solid-selling act, culminating with the 12-million-selling Greatest Hits in 1993.

GH collected many of their singles — including “Don’t Do Me Like That,” “Refugee,” “The Waiting,” and “Don’t Come Around Here No More” — as well as three solo Petty tracks: notably “Runnin’ Down A Dream” and “Free Fallin’.”

#71. Adele – 25

Adele Adkins became a worldwide phenom in 2011 with her second album 21, then further cemented her place in music history in 2015/2016 with the 11-times-platinum 25. Between releases, she struggled mightily with writer’s block. The singer characterized 21 as her break-up album and 25 as a make-up one, as in making up with herself: putting the past to rest and moving into her adult future self.

To that end, “Hello” — the first 25 track released as a single — was an affectionate look back at her relationship with all those whom she loved and an acknowledgement that they had moved on with their lives. “Hello” was an across-the-board #1 and her revenge shout-out to an ex-boyfriend “Send My Love (To Your New Lover)” went Top 10.

#72. Billy Joel – The Stranger

It’s hard to imagine now — given Billy Joel’s illustrious career and superstar status — but back in 1977 he was about to be dropped by his record label. After several years with just one modest hit single and four so-so selling albums, Joel responded with a fantastic LP of great songs, recorded with his road band rather than session cats.

The Stranger was released in September and quickly spun off the Grammy Award-winning “Just the Way You Are. “Movin’ Out” and “She’s Always a Woman” — which had not charted when initially put out as sides of the first single — became Top 20 hits. “Only the Good Die Young” was the fourth charting 45. These and the now-classic Joel songs “Scenes from an Italian Restaurant” and “Vienna” powered The Stranger to sales of 11 million.

#73. Celine Dion – Let’s Talk About Love

With the release of her fourth English-language album, Celine Dion became one of the most successful female singers in the world. Turns out, she had only just begun. Her next one — Let’s Talk About Love — added another 11 million copies to her US sales ledger. The biggest reason for its success was the inclusion of her signature song “My Heart Will Go On”: the love theme for the blockbuster film Titanic.

Interestingly, director James Cameron didn’t want a pop song in his movie, and Celine didn’t want to sing it. She did just one take as a demo, which was used on the soundtrack. (She re-recorded “My Heart” for the album and single releases.) The singer and the song collected four Grammy Awards, and the single sold four million copies in the US.

#74. Creed – Human Clay

During its relatively brief stint as a recording outfit — three studio albums from 1997 to 2001 plus a reunion album in 2009 — Creed left a significant mark on the music landscape, with its first three releases selling in excess of 23 million copies. Four tracks off the first and second albums from the Tallahassee, FL post-grunge quartet placed high on the Modern and Mainstream Rock charts.

“Higher” from their second album Human Clay topped the Mainstream Rock chart for 17 weeks in 1999 and was the #1 track of the decade. The power ballad “With Arms Wide Open” — with lyrics penned by lead singer Scott Stapp after learning that his wife was pregnant — reached #1 on the Hot 100 and won a Grammy for Best Rock Song. As for Human Clay, it’s sold 11 million copies to date.

#75. Eagles – Eagles Greatest Hits Volume 2

In the wake of what turned out to be the best-selling album of all time came Greatest Hits Volume 2 from the Eagles. Picking up where the first one left off, Volume 2 mined the spectacular success of Hotel California (#4 on this list) by including its four Hot 100 hits “Take It to the Limit” (#4), “New Kid in Town” and “Hotel California” (both #1), and “Life in the Fast Lane” (#11).

These were joined by three more Top 10 singles, among them “The Long Run.” On the surface, it speaks to a shaky romantic relationship and how they’ll make it through “in the long run.” In reality, it reflected the conflicts that were tearing the group apart. GHV2 came out in 1982 after the band’s breakup and has sold 11 million copies.

#76. Eminem – The Marshall Mathers LP

Rapper Eminem’s third studio album was an international smash: both critically acclaimed and publicly vilified for its very real and very shocking lyrics. Commercial acceptance was instantaneous; it sold almost two million copies in the first week after release and has moved 11 million to date. Like Mathers’s previous and next albums, it also won a Best Rap Album Grammy.

On the lead-off single track, Eminem unleashed a full-out attack on the hypocrisy of other artists, critics, and imitators, and a defense of “The Real Slim Shady” (his on-record alter ego). Fans responded positively, giving Mathers his first Top 5 Hot 100 hit. In the follow-up single tracks, he addressed the downside of fame (“The Way I Am”) and explored the mindset of an obsessive fan (“Stan”). TMMLP stands as a prime example of art created to outrage listeners.

#77. James Taylor – James Taylor’s Greatest Hits

After one release on The Beatles’ Apple Records, James Taylor switched labels and started a streak that included 12 platinum/multi-platinum albums. He was also a successful singles artist with 19 adult contemporary Top 10s. His 1976 Greatest Hits disc captured his years on Warner Brothers along with re-recordings of two Apple tunes. After “Sweet Baby James” failed to make the Hot 100, 1970’s “Fire and Rain” (with autobiographical lyrics) broke him nationally.

The following summer saw the release of his only #1 single “You’ve Got a Friend,” written by Carole King with Joni Mitchell singing backup. Also notable was Taylor’s cover of Marvin Gaye’s “How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You),” with then-wife Carly Simon on backing vocals. GH is his greatest-selling album, hitting 11 million copies.

#78. Kid Rock – Devil Without a Cause

These days Kid Rock’s controversial comments and actions overshadow his genuine success as a recording artist. Born in a village outside of Detroit, Robert James Ritchie established himself as a rapper of note and released his first album in 1990 when he was 19. Although it and the next two didn’t sell well, Kid Rock — so named because fans liked to hear “that white kid rock” — worked hard to develop his live performance skills and hone his sound.

Released in August 1998, Devil Without a Cause was a potent mix of rap and classic rock that gradually gained momentum over 19 months, peaking at #4 and selling 11 million units. “Bawitdaba,” “Cowboy” (which inspired contemporary country rap), and “Only God Knows” were big mainstream and modern rock tracks.

#79. Led Zeppelin – Houses of the Holy

In an era where singles and albums vied for consumer dollars, and most artists sought to grab as much as they could from both, Led Zeppelin pretty much ignored the former. Over 10 years, the band released only 10 US commercial 45s and far fewer in the UK. Their strength lay with albums: today total sales of their eight studio LPs stand at over 85 million. Weighing in at 11 million is album #5, Houses of the Holy.

Initial sessions took place in Mick Jagger’s country estate; further ones used Olympic Studios in London and Electric Lady Studios in New York City. The resulting album embraced an expanded sonic and musical palette. Two tracks appeared as US singles. “D’yer Mak’er” sported a reggae rhythm while “Over the Hills and Far Away” deftly pairs a quiet acoustic guitar intro with classic Zeppelin kick-ass rock.

#80. Madonna – The Immaculate Collection

Madonna’s list of musical achievements is truly staggering. She holds the Guinness World Record for all-time best-selling female artist with 49 Top 40 singles, 22 of which reached the US Top 3. Her album accomplishments are equally impressive: 12 Top 3 studio releases, of which eight peaked at #1. Ten of those plus seven compilations and soundtracks racked up platinum/multi-platinum sales.

The biggest of them all — at 11 million — is her greatest hits Immaculate Collection album with career-defining classics such as “Like a Virgin,” “Material Girl,” “Papa Don’t Preach,” and “Vogue.” IC also included two new tunes, which became hits: “Justify My Love” and “Rescue Me.” As an added bonus, the tracks were remixed using QSound technology, which gave listeners a surround sound experience from just two stereo channels.

#81. Mariah Carey – Daydream

According to the RIAA, Mariah Carey has, at 75 million, the highest number of certified albums sold by a solo female singer in the US. She’s sold an equal number of singles, of which 18 peaked at #1 for a total of 79 weeks at #1, and was the top artist of the 1990s.

For her fifth studio LP — 1995’s 11-million-selling Daydream — Mariah exerted more control over the songwriting and production, moving away from her previous pop sound toward contemporary R&B.

She co-wrote all of the original songs, including the album’s three chart-toppers: “Fantasy,” “One Sweet Day” (a collaboration with Boyz II Men), and “Always Be My Baby.” (“One Sweet Day” stayed at #1 for 16 weeks, a feat not surpassed for 25 years when Shaboozey’s “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” had a 19-week run.)

#82. Michael Jackson – Bad

Given the massive success of Thriller, nothing that Michael Jackson released next would sell as well or be as critically well-received. Still, any other artist would be, er, “thrilled” if — like Bad — an album sold 11 million copies and gave them five #1 singles.

Apart from “Man in the Mirror” (featuring gospel’s Andraé Crouch Choir), Jackson wrote all of them: “I Just Can’t Stop Loving You” (a duet with Siedah Garrett, who also co-wrote “Mirror”), “Bad” (based on a true crime story), “The Way You Make Me Feel” (an edgy entreaty for love), and “Dirty Diana” (a hard-rockin’ ode about a relentless groupie). The two other hits from Bad were “Another Part of Me” (with audio and footage for the video taken from Michael in concert) and “Smooth Criminal” (and its short-form film nod to Fred Astaire)

#83. Shania Twain – Up!

Up! was Shania’s third consecutive #1 country album and her first chart-topping pop album: another international smash that has sold 11 million copies in America. Even so, her singles momentum slowed, with just three country Top 10s and no #1s. The most successful track was “Forever and for Always” — also recorded by her good friend Prince (unreleased) — which peaked at #4 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart and #1 on the Adult Contemporary list.

The other two country Top 10s were “She’s Not Just a Pretty Face” and the title track. Up! marked the end of Shania’s professional and personal relationship with her husband “Mutt” Lange, with whom she had created three monster albums. Between her divorce and severe vocal health challenges, she didn’t release her next studio album until 2017, 15 years after Up!.

#84. Titanic: Music from the Motion Picture (Original Soundtrack)

Titanic director James Cameron was adamant: there would be no pop song under the closing credits. However, composer James Horner disagreed and secretly asked renowned multi-genre lyricist Will Jennings to write words for an instrumental motif Horner had created. Celine Dion sang the demo (see #72) and Horner carefully chose how and when to present it to Cameron. In the end, the director approved the use of “My Heart Will Go On,” and it was the centerpiece of this 11-times-platinum-selling album.

The movie premiered on December 14, 1997, and was an instant box office smash. The soundtrack followed suit, remaining at #1 for 16 weeks in 1998: by far the best performer of that year. Interestingly, Cameron initially asked Irish singer Enya to collaborate on the movie music, but she only worked alone and declined.

#85. The Beatles – 1

With 1, what you got sonically depended upon which of the three iterations you bought: the original one from 2000, the remaster from 2011, or the remastered and remixed release from 2015 (which also included a DVD). Track-wise, they were identical: a compilation of 27 Beatles single sides that reached #1 in the UK and/or the US, from “Love Me Do” to “The Long and Winding Road.”

As such — despite any number of previous Fab Four comps — it was their first all-hits/no-filler collection. Released 30 years after Paul McCartney made their breakup official, it opened at #1 on the Billboard 200, showed up on the US year-end chart list through 2022, and sold 11 million copies. Its chart performance meant that The Beatles hold the record — at 64 years — for the longest time span between an artist’s first and last #1 albums.

#86. The Beatles – Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band

Anointing any work of art as the best, the greatest, or the most influential is a risky proposition. Still, a valid case can be made that — since the advent of the 33 ⅓ rpm album in 1948 — such popular music honors belong to Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. Its impact on art, culture, and business beggars belief. Adopting the guise of a fictitious band (Paul McCartney’s suggested way of breaking out of the creative walls imposed by their popularity) resulted in an artistic masterpiece.

Although none of the album’s tracks were released as singles, all were treated as such by fans and radio programmers, notably “With a Little Help from My Friends,” “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds,” “When I’m Sixty-Four,” and “A Day in the Life.” To date, Sgt. Pepper’s has sold 11 million copies.

#87. The Chicks (formerly Dixie Chicks) – Fly

The Dixie Chicks’ 1998 breakthrough album Wide Open Spaces took exactly a year to top Billboard magazine’s country album chart, where it stayed for seven weeks (see #49). In September 1999, follow-up Fly duplicated that achievement and logged 36 weeks at #1, plus it topped the Billboard 200 pop chart. Eight tracks became country single hits, including the #1s “Ready to Run,” “Cowboy Take Me Away,” and “Without You.”

However, it was a lesser chart hit — “Goodbye Earl” — that grabbed the most attention from fans and encountered resistance from radio due to its theme of domestic violence. The accompanying video, which starred Dennis Franz as Earl, won a CMA and ACM Video of the Year Award. Fly took home Grammy Country Album and CMA Album of the Year honors, and has sold 11 million copies.

#88. The Notorious B.I.G. – Life After Death

Christopher Wallace — Biggie’s given name — grew up in the rough Bed-Stuy section of Brooklyn and channeled the crime he saw (and in which he participated) into a potent musical mix heard on his 1994 debut album. Around that time, Wallace formed a friendship with Tupac Shakur, which went sour after 2Pac (falsely) accused him of being involved in a robbery in which 2Pac had been shot five times.

Things only got worse, and after 2Pac was killed in September 1996, Wallace became a suspect. Six months later, Wallace was also killed, six days before the release of Life After Death. It has sold 11 million copies and is one of the most acclaimed rap/hip-hop albums of all time. Thirty years later, both Biggie and 2Pac are considered towering figures in rap, hip-hop, and contemporary music.

#89. 2Pac – Greatest Hits

When 2Pac’s Greatest Hits album peaked on the Billboard 200 in January 1999, it shared the Top 10 with Silkk the Shocker, Lauryn Hill, DMX, and Jay-Z: evidence that rap/hip-hop had become popular across demographic lines. (It surpassed rock as the top-selling genre in 2017.) Although it was released two years after his death, demand for 2Pac’s music was still strong.

Greatest Hits collected 21 tracks from across his career, plus four previously unreleased ones. In addition to his biggest Hot 100 hits “How Do You Want It” and “California Love” (the original single-only mix), other notable tracks included his chart breakthroughs “I Get Around” and “Keep Ya Head Up,” plus “Dear Mama” and “Smile.” One of the “new” songs — “Changes” — also became a hit. GH spent over 11 years on the album chart and has sold 10 million copies.

#90. 2Pac – All Eyez on Me

Tupac Shakur (2Pac) and Christopher Wallace (The Notorious B.I.G.) are inextricably linked by their contemporaneous rise to fame, a West Coast/East Coast hip-hop rivalry, and subsequent murders just six months apart. Born in NYC, 2Pac ended up in Oakland, CA, with his mom when he was a teen. He was 20 when his first album dropped in 1991, and his compelling blend of socially conscious lyrics and violent gangsta rap made his third and fourth releases multi-platinum Billboard 200 #1s.

The fourth — All Eyez on Me — was a double-length affair that spun off the #1 crossover hit “How Do U Want It” and its #6 flip side “California Love.” Despite his success, 2Pac was never far from criminal activities. Seven months after the release of All Eyez, he was shot to death. To date, it’s sold 10 million copies.

#91. Beastie Boys – Licensed to Ill

If an artist scores only one Top 10 single, may it be as infectious as “(You Gotta) Fight for Your Right (To Party).” As unlikely as it seems, the artist in question was a trio of white, former punk-rockers-turned-rappers known as the Beastie Boys, whose debut Licensed to Ill was the first rap album to reach #1 on the Billboard Top Pop Albums chart.

Ad-Rock, MCA, and Mike D released their first hip-hop track in 1983, opened for Madonna in 1985, and delivered Licensed in 1986. After three singles from it made no mark nationally, the fourth was the charm. Although “Party” was enthusiastically adopted as an anthem by beer-drinking fans, the Beasties intended it as a goof on such songs. No matter. It helped drive Licensed to the top and, ultimately, 10 million in sales.

#92. Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band – Greatest Hits

In the fall of 1967, Bob Seger seemed poised to break through with “Heavy Music (Part 1)” when his record label went under. Capitol Records took him on, and Seger delivered the Top 20 “Ramblin’ Gamblin’ Man” (with future Eagle Glenn Frey on guitar). After three so-so-selling albums, Capitol dropped him, only to re-sign him in 1975. Seger gave them a positive return on their investment with Live Bullet (and its classic “Turn the Page”) and the breakout album and single “Night Moves.”

Nine years and 16 Top 40 45s followed, of which 10 were included on the 10-million-selling Greatest Hits. One of them — “Old Time Rock & Roll” — stalled at #28 on its original release, then gained legendary status after an underwear-clad Tom Cruise danced and mimed to it in Risky Business.

#93. Britney Spears – Oops!…I Did It Again

After Britney’s debut album grabbed multi-platinum sales (see #34), her appropriately named Oops!…I Did It Again did likewise (10 million to date). The title track/first single took its musical cues from “…Baby One More Time” along with a spoken-word break that referenced the blockbuster film Titanic.

Although it reached the Billboard Top 10, the other three singles didn’t perform as well: “Lucky” peaked at #23, “Stronger” at #11, and “Let Me Be the Last to Know” didn’t chart at all. Still, singles sales are not the only indicator of success. The album brought Britney the 2000 Billboard Albums Artist of the Year Music Award and holds a Guinness World Record for the fastest-selling album in the US by a teenage solo artist.

#94. Def Leppard – Pyromania

Formed in 1977, Sheffield, England’s Def Leppard — which took its name from a fictional band’s concert poster drawn in art class by singer Joe Elliott — established strong “street cred” among heavy metal fans and was signed by a major label in 1979. After its first two albums generated little excitement outside of the UK, the more pop/rock-oriented Pyromania broke them in America and Canada.

During its creation, guitarist Pete Willis was sacked, the band struggled with ever-increasing debt, and Elliott shredded his vocal cords. Plus, the recording process was an ordeal (including the discovery that many of the recordings were out of tune), but its massive success made it all worthwhile. “Photograph” and “Rock of Ages” topped Billboard magazine’s Mainstream Rock Tracks chart, and Pyromania sold 10 million copies.

#95. Doobie Brothers – Best of the Doobies

In the 1970–1976 time period covered by Best of the Doobies, three singers shared lead vocal duties: Tom Johnston, Patrick Simmons, and Michael McDonald. Johnston was heard on their first hit singles: “Listen to the Music,” “Long Train Runnin’,” and “China Grove” (he also wrote all three). Founding member Patrick Simmons penned and sang lead on the Doobies’ first #1, “Black Water” (originally released as the B-side of an earlier Doobies 45).

Johnston took over again on their cover of the Motown song “Take Me in Your Arms (Rock Me)” and McDonald wrote and sang lead on “Takin’ It to the Streets” (his first). After Johnston departed, McDonald and the Doobies moved to a smooth, soulful sound heard on their 1979 smash “What a Fool Believes,” and Greatest Hits went on to sell 10 million copies.

#96. Elvis Presley – Elvis’ Christmas Album

Today — when Elvis’s Christmas album has been a perennial favorite for almost 70 years — it’s hard to imagine the controversy it kicked up upon its release in 1957. Back then, many Americans despised rock ’n’ roll, and that “Hillbilly Cat’s” take on sacred and secular holiday songs was, well, downright sacrilegious. Included on side two were four traditional gospel tunes, which had already appeared on an EP, and two well-known carols.

Side one opened with “Santa Claus Is Back in Town” (penned by famous R&B songwriters Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller) and included “White Christmas” (Bing Crosby’s version has sold over 100 million copies worldwide). But the most famous track on Presley’s 10-times-platinum album was his exceptional reworking of country legend Ernest Tubb’s 1949 #1 “Blue Christmas.”

#97. Eminem – Curtain Call: The Hits

As of 2024, Eminem had racked up 11 consecutive #1 albums: 10 studio releases and his first compilation Curtain Call: The Hits. Eminem broke into the national Top 40 in 1999 with “My Name Is,” a track he and producer Dr. Dre knocked out in an hour.

It won a Rap Solo Grammy, as did “The Real Slim Shady” and “Lose Yourself.” The latter — from Eminem’s movie 8 Mile — also won a Best Original Song Oscar, was the rapper’s first #1, and 2002’s top single track. Other standouts on Curtain Call were “Without Me” and “Cleanin’ Out My Closet.”

After this collection, Eminem took a break (the title referred to Mathers’s uncertainty about his recording future) that lasted three and a half years. Hits was available in an explicit and a clean version and has sold 10 million copies.

#98. Eric Clapton – Unplugged

Of all of Eric Clapton’s on-record performances — with The Yardbirds, John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers, Cream, Blind Faith, Derek and The Dominoes, and solo — it’s this 1992 Unplugged album that’s sold the best (10 million copies). It was recorded at a studio in Windsor, England, for broadcast on MTV’s popular Unplugged series.

With backing provided by veteran musicians, Clapton revisited “Layla” (it peaked at #12 on the Hot 100, two slots lower than the Derek electrified original) and “Tears in Heaven” (written for his recently deceased four-year-old son, Conor).

Most of the other 12 tracks were Eric’s take on standard blues songs by the likes of Robert Johnson, Big Bill Broonzy, and Muddy Waters. Unplugged won Grammy Awards for Best Male Rock Performance, Album of the Year, and Best Rock Song (“Layla”).

#99. Evanescence – Fallen

In 1994, 13-year-old singer/pianist Amy Lee met 14-year-old guitarist Ben Moody at a Little Rock youth camp. Lee — inspired by classical and movie music — began fusing those styles with a variety of modern genres, such as metal and grunge. They worked separately; Lee was the driving creative musical force while Moody was more focused on commerciality.

This uneasy alliance resulted in the 2003 debut album Fallen. The lyrics to the autobiographical, Grammy Award-winning “Bring Me to Life” (about an abusive relationship) were written by Lee when she was 19. Fifteen-year-olds Lee and Moody penned “My Immortal” and recorded an early demo of it that was on the album. (The official single was a later “band” version preferred by Lee and Moody.) Moody split after Fallen, which went on to sell 10 million copies.

#100. Garth Brooks – Garth Brooks

When Garth’s debut album appeared in April 1989, neither the 27-year-old singer nor the world had any idea the career it would ignite or his impact on music. After “Much Too Young (To Feel This Damn Old)” barely missed the country Top 10, “If Tomorrow Never Comes” became his first of 20 #1s, followed by “Not Counting You” (#2), and “The Dance” (also #1).

A pre-success Garth heard fledgling songwriter Tony Arata sing “The Dance” at an open mic night and promised to cut it if he ever got a record deal. He did, and it won an ACM Song of the Year award. (Garth has said it’s his favorite song.) As of this writing, Garth Brooks has sold 10 million copies, and — at 115 million certified total albums sold in the US — he’s the best-selling solo artist in US history.

FAQ: Best Selling Albums of All Time

What are the top 10 selling albums of all time?

The top 10 best selling albums of all time include iconic releases like:

• Eagles — Their Greatest Hits (1971–1975)

• Michael Jackson — Thriller

• AC/DC — Back in Black

• Eagles — Hotel California

• Led Zeppelin — Led Zeppelin IV

• The Beatles — The Beatles (White Album)

• Fleetwood Mac — Rumours

These albums have sold tens of millions of certified units, shaping popular music history in the process.

(Source: RIAA.com)

Who sold 1 billion records?

The only artist known to have sold over a billion records worldwide is The Beatles. Their influence spans generations, and combined sales of albums, singles, and compilations make them the best-selling music act in history.

What is the biggest selling live album of all time?

The title goes to Garth Brooks’ Double Live, which sold more than 23 million copies in the U.S. alone. Its massive success cemented Brooks as not only a country legend but also one of the best-selling recording artists of all time.

Which artist has the most Diamond-certified albums?

According to the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), Garth Brooks holds the record for the most Diamond-certified albums, each representing at least 10 million U.S. sales. His consistent dominance across country and pop markets has kept him among the top-selling artists in history.

What is the best-selling soundtrack album ever?

The Saturday Night Fever soundtrack, led by the Bee Gees, holds the record for the best-selling soundtrack album in U.S. history, with over 16 million certified sales. Globally, it helped fuel the disco era’s explosive popularity.

🎧 How We Ranked the Best Selling Albums of All Time

This ranking was meticulously compiled by Ed Osborne, Top40Weekly’s contributing editor and industry veteran. Ed’s methodology blends verified sales data, historical chart performance, and enduring cultural influence.

• Primary Source: Certified U.S. album sales from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), which tracks and updates Gold, Platinum, and Diamond certifications.
  
• Cross-Verification: Additional insights were taken from Billboard’s All-Time Top Albums Chart, ensuring accuracy and consistency in rankings.
  
• Legacy Factor: Beyond pure numbers, Ed considered each album’s lasting cultural footprint — how these records influenced subsequent generations and defined musical eras.
  

This approach gives fans a data-driven yet context-rich perspective on the best selling albums that shaped music history.

🔗 Related Articles You Might Enjoy

• Top 100 Artists of the 1980s – Explore the legends who ruled radio during the decade of excess.
  
• Top 100 Artists of the 1990s – From grunge to hip-hop, discover the artists who reshaped the charts.
  
• Best Rock Albums of All Time – A definitive look at the albums that changed rock forever.
  
• Top 200 Albums of the 70s – A golden era of LPs that bridged art and commerce.
  

Conclusion

From the record-shattering triumph of Thriller to the timeless harmonies of The Beatles and the anthemic power of AC/DC, these albums represent far more than commercial success — they define generations.

The best selling albums of all time stand as cultural milestones, capturing moments when music connected the world through melody, emotion, and storytelling. Whether you’re revisiting classics or discovering them anew, this list celebrates the art — and business — of music at its absolute peak.

 About Ed Osborne

Industry veteran Ed Osborne has been involved with music, personally and professionally, for his entire life.

In radio, he worked at the #1 FM radio station in the country — WCBS-FM in New York City — where he was a runner-up in Billboard magazine’s national Air Personality of the Year competition.

After a management stint with a major radio group, Ed moved over to the music business as an Executive Producer for BMG Special Products. Over the years, he created, produced, and/or wrote liner notes for hundreds of music reissues.

He is currently an independent consultant, His many projects have included researching, producing, and co-hosting Gettin’ Together with Tommy James.