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.
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.
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.