June 6 – I was digging around in the CD-sales data for an upcoming article commemorating the 25th anniversary of the Compact Disc, when I stumbled upon a fascinating chart on the web site of the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
The chart. which lists the biggest-selling recording artists in history, contains some surprising insights into the music industry.
For example, I would never have guessed that Garth Brooks is the number-three selling artist of all time, outselling The Eagles, Elton John, and The Rolling Stones.
Or that Steely Dan was outsold by the likes of Will Smith, Grand Funk Railroad, and Ted Nugent, to name a few.
You probably wouldn’t think that Led Zeppelin sold more records than Michael Jackson and Fleetwood Mac combined, but they did.
These are just a few of the fascinating facts you will find at www.riaa.com/gp/bestsellers/topartists.asp
By Robert Harley
My older brother Stephen introduced me to music when I was about 12 years old. Stephen was a prodigious musical talent (he went on to get a degree in Composition) who generously shared his records and passion for music with his little brother.
More articles from this editor