Best Selling Music Artists of All Time

This article explores the chart-topping music icons of all time, highlighting artists who have achieved unparalleled commercial success across various genres. Their records have not only sold in millions but also shaped the very fabric of the music industry.

Music, a universal language, has seen many of its creators rise to iconic status, leaving a lasting legacy. These musicians, transcending genre and era, have etched their names into history as the best-selling artists, celebrated for their timeless masterpieces and monumental impact.

ARTISTCERTIFIED UNITS (In Millions)
1. THE BEATLES183
2. GARTH BROOKS157
3. ELVIS PRESLEY146.5
4. EAGLES120
5. LED ZEPPELIN112.5
6. MICHAEL JACKSON89
7. BILLY JOEL85
8. ELTON JOHN79
9. AC/DC75
10. PINK FLOYD75
11. AEROSMITH69.5
12. GEORGE STRAIT69
13. BARBRA STREISAND68.5
14. MARIAH CAREY68.5
15. THE ROLLING STONES66.5
16. BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN65.5
17. MADONNA64.5
18. METALLICA63
19. WHITNEY HOUSTON60
20. VAN HALEN56.5
21.FLEETWOOD MAC54.5
22. U252
23. CELINE DION51
24. NEIL DIAMOND49.5
25. JOURNEY49
26. KENNY G48
27. SHANIA TWAIN48
28. KENNY ROGERS47.5
29. ALABAMA46.5
30. EMINEM46.5
31. TAYLOR SWIFT46
32. BOB SEGER & THE SILVER BULLET BAND44.5
33. GUNS N’ ROSES44.5
34. ALAN JACKSON43.5
35. SANTANA43.5
36. QUEEN43
37. REBA MC ENTIRE41
38. ERIC CLAPTON40
39. CHICAGO38.5
40. SIMON & GARFUNKEL38.5
41. FOREIGNER38
42. ROD STEWART38
43. TIM MCGRAW37.5
44. BACKSTREET BOYS37
45. 2 PAC36.5
46. BOB DYLAN36
47. DEF LEPPARD35.5
48. BON JOVI34.5
49. BRITNEY SPEARS34.5
50. DAVE MATTHEWS BAND34.5
51. THE DOORS34
52. JOHN DENVER33.5
53. PHIL COLLINS33.5
54. JAMES TAYLOR33
55. THE CHICKS33
56. R. KELLY32
57. PEARL JAM31.5
58. TOM PETTY & THE HEARTBREAKERS31.5
59. WILLIE NELSON31.5
60. BOSTON31
61. KENNY CHESNEY30.5
62. LINDA RONSTADT30
63. OZZY OSBOURNE29.75
64. LINKIN PARK28.5
65. LYNYRD SKYNYRD28.5
66. ADELE28
67. BEE GEES28
68. CREEDENCE CLEARWATER REVIVAL28
69. MANNHEIM STEAMROLLER28
70. MICHAEL BOLTON28
71. N SYNC28
72. NIRVANA28
73. BARRY MANILOW27.5
74. BROOKS & DUNN27.5
75. JAY-Z27.5
76. JOHN MELLENCAMP27.5
77. RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS27.5
78. BOYZ II MEN27
79. FRANK SINATRA27
80. LUTHER VANDROSS27
81. ENYA26.5
82. STEVE MILLER BAND 26.5

83. JANET JACKSON

26
84. RUSH26
85. DRAKE25.5
86. FAITH HILL25.5
87. CREED25
88. HOOTIE & THE BLOWFISH25
89. KANYE WEST25
90. MOTLEY CRUE25
91. TOBY KEITH25
92. ZZ TOP25
93. R.E.O. SPEEDWAGON24.5
94. THE CARPENTERS24.5
95. GREEN DAY24
96. NICKELBACK24
97. VINCE GILL24
98. EARTH, WIND & FIRE23.5
99. JOHNNY CASH23.5
100. KID ROCK23.5

The Recording Industry Association of America® (RIAA) is the trade organization that supports and promotes the creative and financial vitality of the major music companies. Its members comprise the most vibrant record industry in the world, investing in great artists to help them reach their potential and connect to their fans. RIAA members create, manufacture, or distribute sound recordings representing approximately 85% of all legitimate recorded music consumption in the United States. Copyright © 2021 RIAA All Rights Reserved.

Who are the best-selling artists of all time?

The best-selling artists of all time include icons like The Beatles, Elvis Presley, Michael Jackson, Madonna, and Elton John. These artists have made an indelible mark on the music industry, with their records selling in the hundreds of millions worldwide. 

The Beatles, often cited as the top-selling artists of all time, revolutionized the music scene and held a special place as best-selling bands of all time. Their appeal spans generations, contributing significantly to their status as the biggest-selling artists of all time.

How many albums did the Beatles sell?

The Beatles, one of the best-selling bands of all time, have sold over 600 million units worldwide. 

Their groundbreaking music and unprecedented popularity in the 1960s established them as a cornerstone of modern music, making them the highest-selling artists in many rankings. 

Their album sales, bolstered by timeless hits and innovative albums, underline their position among the top 100 best-selling artists.

How much is a Grammy Award trophy worth?

A Grammy Award trophy, while priceless in terms of prestige, has a monetary value that’s surprisingly modest. The cost to produce a Grammy trophy is reported to be around $15,000, a figure that pales in comparison to its symbolic value. 

Winners receive this trophy as recognition of their outstanding achievements in the music industry, making it a coveted item among the best music artists of all time.