Music has been enjoyed and cherished by people around the world since its inception. Artists have created timeless masterpieces throughout history, and some of them have become icons in the music industry. This article will list the best selling music artists of all time, regardless of genre or era. These musicians have achieved immense commercial success and left an indelible mark on the music world.
ARTIST | CERTIFIED UNITS (In Millions) |
1. THE BEATLES | 183 |
2. GARTH BROOKS | 157 |
3. ELVIS PRESLEY | 146.5 |
4. EAGLES | 120 |
5. LED ZEPPELIN | 112.5 |
6. MICHAEL JACKSON | 89 |
7. BILLY JOEL | 85 |
8. ELTON JOHN | 79 |
9. AC/DC | 75 |
10. PINK FLOYD | 75 |
11. AEROSMITH | 69.5 |
12. GEORGE STRAIT | 69 |
13. BARBRA STREISAND | 68.5 |
14. MARIAH CAREY | 68.5 |
15. THE ROLLING STONES | 66.5 |
16. BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN | 65.5 |
17. MADONNA | 64.5 |
18. METALLICA | 63 |
19. WHITNEY HOUSTON | 60 |
20. VAN HALEN | 56.5 |
21.FLEETWOOD MAC | 54.5 |
22. U2 | 52 |
23. CELINE DION | 51 |
24. NEIL DIAMOND | 49.5 |
25. JOURNEY | 49 |
26. KENNY G | 48 |
27. SHANIA TWAIN | 48 |
28. KENNY ROGERS | 47.5 |
29. ALABAMA | 46.5 |
30. EMINEM | 46.5 |
31. TAYLOR SWIFT | 46 |
32. BOB SEGER & THE SILVER BULLET BAND | 44.5 |
33. GUNS N’ ROSES | 44.5 |
34. ALAN JACKSON | 43.5 |
35. SANTANA | 43.5 |
36. QUEEN | 43 |
37. REBA MC ENTIRE | 41 |
38. ERIC CLAPTON | 40 |
39. CHICAGO | 38.5 |
40. SIMON & GARFUNKEL | 38.5 |
41. FOREIGNER | 38 |
42. ROD STEWART | 38 |
43. TIM MCGRAW | 37.5 |
44. BACKSTREET BOYS | 37 |
45. 2 PAC | 36.5 |
46. BOB DYLAN | 36 |
47. DEF LEPPARD | 35.5 |
48. BON JOVI | 34.5 |
49. BRITNEY SPEARS | 34.5 |
50. DAVE MATTHEWS BAND | 34.5 |
51. THE DOORS | 34 |
52. JOHN DENVER | 33.5 |
53. PHIL COLLINS | 33.5 |
54. JAMES TAYLOR | 33 |
55. THE CHICKS | 33 |
56. R. KELLY | 32 |
57. PEARL JAM | 31.5 |
58. TOM PETTY & THE HEARTBREAKERS | 31.5 |
59. WILLIE NELSON | 31.5 |
60. BOSTON | 31 |
61. KENNY CHESNEY | 30.5 |
62. LINDA RONSTADT | 30 |
63. OZZY OSBOURNE | 29.75 |
64. LINKIN PARK | 28.5 |
65. LYNYRD SKYNYRD | 28.5 |
66. ADELE | 28 |
67. BEE GEES | 28 |
68. CREEDENCE CLEARWATER REVIVAL | 28 |
69. MANNHEIM STEAMROLLER | 28 |
70. MICHAEL BOLTON | 28 |
71. N SYNC | 28 |
72. NIRVANA | 28 |
73. BARRY MANILOW | 27.5 |
74. BROOKS & DUNN | 27.5 |
75. JAY-Z | 27.5 |
76. JOHN MELLENCAMP | 27.5 |
77. RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS | 27.5 |
78. BOYZ II MEN | 27 |
79. FRANK SINATRA | 27 |
80. LUTHER VANDROSS | 27 |
81. ENYA | 26.5 |
82. STEVE MILLER BAND 26.5
83. JANET JACKSON | 26 |
84. RUSH | 26 |
85. DRAKE | 25.5 |
86. FAITH HILL | 25.5 |
87. CREED | 25 |
88. HOOTIE & THE BLOWFISH | 25 |
89. KANYE WEST | 25 |
90. MOTLEY CRUE | 25 |
91. TOBY KEITH | 25 |
92. ZZ TOP | 25 |
93. R.E.O. SPEEDWAGON | 24.5 |
94. THE CARPENTERS | 24.5 |
95. GREEN DAY | 24 |
96. NICKELBACK | 24 |
97. VINCE GILL | 24 |
98. EARTH, WIND & FIRE | 23.5 |
99. JOHNNY CASH | 23.5 |
100. KID ROCK | 23.5 |
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.