 | List of best-selling music artists: Encyclopedia - List of best-selling music artists
List of best-selling music artists
This is a list of the best selling musical acts globally. Equal weight is given to album and single sales, as well as paid downloads.
The artists are grouped by approximate sales figures, rather than ranked on a numerical scale. This is because global sales figures are hard to come by, with poor or no records available for many countries. Estimates are thus often made by fan sites, record labels and the addition of figures from various different sources.
List of best-selling music artists - World's biggest seller
The actual biggest selling musician in the world will probably never be known. Records of sales in many countries, particularly in the Developing world, are poor and date back less than 20 years.
ABBA, The Beatles, Michael Jackson, Elvis Presley and Alla Pugacheva are all regularly cited as being the top seller. Record companies for The Beatles [1] and Elvis Presley[2] both claim that they have sold over one billion records, statistics that are supported by both the RIAA [3] and The Guinness Book Of World Records [4] [5] and numerous other sources. However, at the 2000 World Music Awards, the "best selling artist of the millenium" title was given to Michael Jackson. He also received a similar award from the same organization in 1996 [6]. Countering this, the Encyclopedia Britannica website cites an unsourced claim that Alla Pugacheva [7] is a top seller, and that she "may have sold more records than Michael Jackson".
So, though it remains likely that the top seller is one of the artists listed above, the difficulties in gathering figures and the counter claims mean that proof is improbable.
Best-selling female singer
List of best-selling music artists - Artists reported to have sold 250 000 000 records or more
| Name |
Nationality |
Years Active |
Genre |
Source |
| ABBA |
Sweden |
70s-80s (1974-1982) |
Rock |
[8] |
| The Beatles |
UK |
60-70s, 90s |
Pop/Rock |
Guinness estimate [9] [10] |
| Bing Crosby |
US |
1926-1977 |
Pop |
[11] |
| Michael Jackson |
US |
1971-2005 |
R&B/Rock/Pop |
[12][13] |
| Led Zeppelin |
UK |
60s-80s (1968-1980) |
Rock |
MSNBC |
| Madonna |
US |
80s- |
Rock/Pop |
[14] |
| Nana Mouskouri |
Greece |
60s- (1959-) |
Pop |
[15]
[16]
|
| Elvis Presley |
US |
50s-70s |
Rock, Country |
[17] [18]
[19]
|
| Alla Pugacheva |
Russia |
70s-00s (1976-) |
Rock/Pop |
[20] |
| Cliff Richard |
UK |
50s- (1958-2005) |
Rock/Pop |
[21] |
List of best-selling music artists - Artists reported to have sold 100 000 000 records or more
| Name |
Nationality |
Years Active |
Genre |
Source |
| AC/DC |
Australia/UK |
70s-00s (1980-1992) |
Rock |
MSN Music
|
| Aerosmith |
US |
70s-00s (1993-1998) |
Rock |
[22] |
| Gene Autry |
US |
|
Country |
[23] |
| Charles Aznavour |
France |
50s-00s |
Pop |
[24] |
| Black Sabbath |
UK |
70s-00s |
Metal |
[25] |
| Bon Jovi |
US |
80s-00s (1986-2000) |
Rock |
[26] |
| David Bowie |
UK |
60s-00s (1969-2004) |
Rock |
[27] |
| Garth Brooks |
US |
80s-00s (1989-2001) |
Country |
[28] |
| Chicago |
US |
60s-00s (1967-) |
Rock |
[29] |
| Mariah Carey |
US |
90s-00s (1990-) |
Pop/R&B |
[30] |
| Phil Collins |
UK |
80s-00s (1981-1998) |
Rock |
[31] |
| Perry Como |
US |
30s-00s |
Vocal |
[32] |
| Neil Diamond |
USA |
60s-80s |
Rock 'n' Roll |
[33] |
| Celine Dion |
Canada |
80s-00s (1990-) |
Rock/Pop |
[34] |
| Fleetwood Mac |
UK/US |
60s-00s (1975-1990) |
Rock |
2 |
| Genesis |
UK |
70s-00s (1980-1997) |
Rock |
[35] |
| Johnny Hallyday |
France |
50s-00s |
Pop |
[36] |
| Whitney Houston |
US |
80s-00s (1985-2000) |
R&B/Pop |
[37] |
| Julio Iglesias |
Spain |
70s-00s (1969-) |
Latino Pop |
[38] |
| Illayaraja |
India |
70s-00s (1982-) |
Classical |
[39] |
| Billy Joel |
US |
70s-00s (1978-1983,1989-1993) |
Rock |
[40] [41] |
| Elton John |
UK |
70s-00s (1972-1976,1989-1991,1997-) |
Rock/Pop |
[42] |
| Frankie Laine |
US |
1946-2001 |
Jazz/Pop/Gospel/Country |
[43] |
| Brenda Lee |
US |
50s-60s (1958-1963) |
Pop/Country |
[44] |
| Mireille Mathieu |
France |
60s-00s |
Pop |
[45] |
| Johnny Mathis |
US |
50s-00s |
Pop/Standards |
[46] |
| Metallica |
US |
80s-00s |
Rock |
[47] |
| Modern Talking |
Germany |
80s-00s (1984-1986,1998-) |
Eurodance/Euro Disco |
Note:No reference given |
| Ricky Nelson |
US |
50s-80s (1958-1961) |
Pop/Country/Rock |
[48] |
| Patti Page |
US |
40s-2000s |
Pop/Country/Rock |
[49] [50] |
| Dolly Parton |
US |
60s-00s (1981-1983) |
Country |
[51] [52] [53] [54] |
| Luciano Pavarotti |
Italy |
60s-00s (1972-) |
Opera |
[55] [56] |
| Pink Floyd |
UK |
60s-00s (1970-1983,1994-1995) |
Rock |
[57] |
| Queen |
UK |
70s-00s (1975-1995) |
Rock |
R&R HoF, 20011995 source |
| A. R. Rahman |
India |
90s-00s (1992-) |
Classical |
[58] |
| Lionel Richie |
US |
80s-00s (1981-1985) |
R&B |
[59] |
| Kenny Rogers |
US |
60s-00s (1977-1983) |
Rock |
[60]
[61]
|
| Rod Stewart |
UK |
60s-00s |
Rock/Pop |
[62] |
| Rolling Stones |
UK |
60s-00s (1964-1981) |
Rock |
[63] |
| Donna Summer |
US |
70s-90s (1977-1983) |
Disco |
[64] |
| The Bee Gees |
Isle of Man/Australia |
60s-00s (1975-1979) |
Rock |
[65] |
| The Eagles |
US |
70s-00s (1974-1979) |
Rock |
[66] |
| The Jacksons |
US |
60s-80s (1969-1988) |
R&B,Pop,Disco |
[67][68][69] |
| U2 |
Ireland |
80s-00s (1983-) |
Rock |
[70] |
| Barry White |
US |
70s-00s |
Pop/R&B/Disco |
[71] |
| Wei Wei |
China |
80s-00s (1986-) |
Pop |
[72] [73] |
List of best-selling music artists - Artists reported to have sold 50 000 000 records or more
| Name |
Nationality |
Years Active |
Genre |
Source |
| Salvatore Adamo |
Italy |
60s-00s |
|
[74] |
| Bryan Adams |
Canada |
80s-00s |
Pop/Rock |
[75] |
| A-ha |
Norway |
80s-00s (1985-1993,2000-) |
Pop |
[76] [77] |
| Alabama |
US |
70s-00s |
Country |
[78] |
| Paul Anka |
Canada |
50s-00s |
Pop |
[79] |
| Eddy Arnold |
US |
40s-90s |
Country |
source |
| B'z |
Japan |
80s-00s |
Rock |
[80] |
| Backstreet Boys |
US |
90s-00s (1999-2000,2005-) |
Pop |
[81] |
| Bay City Rollers |
UK |
70s (1974-1976) |
Pop/Rock |
[82] |
| Tony Bennett |
US |
50s-00s |
Standards/Jazz |
[83] |
| Bjork |
Iceland |
80s-00s |
Alternative |
Note: This is unreferenced |
| Michael Bolton |
US |
80s-00s |
Pop |
[84] |
| Boyz II Men |
US |
80s-00s |
R&B/Pop |
[85] |
| Adriano Celentano |
Italy |
|
Pop |
[86] |
| Roberto Carlos |
Brazil |
60s-00s |
|
[87] [88] |
| Johnny Cash |
US |
30s-00s |
Country |
[89] |
| Eric Clapton |
UK |
60s-00s |
Rock |
Note: This is unreferenced |
| Nat King Cole |
US |
30s-60s |
Jazz |
[90] |
| Dalida |
France |
50s-80s (1956-1987) |
|
[91] |
| Def Leppard |
UK |
80s-80s (1987-1988) |
Rock |
[92] |
| John Denver |
US |
60s-00s |
Rock |
[93] |
| Depeche Mode |
UK |
80s-00s) |
Rock |
[94] |
| Duran Duran |
UK |
80s-00s (1981-2005) |
Rock |
[95] |
| Bob Dylan |
US |
60s-70s (1965-1976) |
Rock |
[96] |
| Earth, Wind & Fire |
US |
70s-00s (1975) |
R&B/Funk/Disco/Pop |
[97] |
| Eminem |
US |
90s-00s (1996-) |
Rap |
[98] |
| Enya |
Ireland |
80s-00s (1988-1991) |
New Age/Celtic |
[99] |
| Gloria Estefan |
US |
80s-00s (1988-1991) |
Latin Pop |
[100] |
| Fairouz |
Lebanon |
60s-00s |
Traditional Arab, Modern, Pop |
Note: This is unreferenced |
| Foreigner |
US/UK |
70s-90s |
Rock/Pop |
[101] |
| Guns N' Roses |
US |
80s-90s (1987-1991) |
Rock |
Note: This is unreferenced |
| Jean-Michel Jarre |
France |
70s-00s (1976-1978) |
Synth Pop |
source |
| Janet Jackson |
US |
80s-00s (1982-) |
R&B/Pop/Calypso |
[102] |
| Journey |
US |
70s-00s (1981) |
Rock/Pop |
[103] |
| KISS |
US |
70s-00s |
Rock |
[104] |
| Andre Kostelanetz |
US |
70s-00s |
Classic |
[105] |
| Annie Lennox |
UK |
90s-00s |
|
[106] |
| Barry Manilow |
US |
70s-00s |
Pop/Standards |
[107] |
| Bob Marley |
Jamaica |
70s |
Reggae |
[108] |
| Paul McCartney |
UK |
60s-00s (1970-1989) |
Rock |
Note: This is unreferenced |
| Meat Loaf |
US |
70s-00s |
Rock |
[109] |
| Luis Miguel |
Mexico |
80s-00s |
Latin Pop |
[110] |
| Kylie Minogue |
Australia |
80s-00s |
Pop |
[111] |
| Alanis Morissette |
Canada |
90s-00s |
Rock |
[112] |
| Motley Crue |
US |
80s-00s |
Rock |
Note: This is unreferenced |
| Olivia Newton-John |
Australia |
70s-00s |
Country/Pop |
[113] |
| Nirvana |
US |
80s-90s (1987–1994) |
Grunge |
[114] |
| Oasis |
UK |
90s-00s |
Rock |
Note: This is unreferenced |
| Pearl Jam |
US |
90s-00s |
Grunge |
[115] |
| Linda Ronstadt |
US |
60s-00s (1980-) |
Rock, Pop, Country |
[116] |
| Santana |
US |
60s-00s (1970-1972,1999-) |
Rock |
[117] |
| Simon and Garfunkel |
US |
60s |
Rock |
Note: This is unerfernced |
| Frank Sinatra |
US |
40s-90s |
Vocal |
[118] |
| Britney Spears |
US |
90s-00s (1999-) |
Pop |
[119] |
| Bruce Springsteen |
US |
70s-00s (1980-1995,2002-) |
Rock |
[120] |
| George Strait |
US |
70s-00s |
Country |
[121] |
| Barbra Streisand |
US |
60s-00s (1963-1980) |
Pop |
[122] |
| Hank Snow |
Canada |
30's-90's |
Folk |
[123] |
| The Carpenters |
US |
60s-80s (1970-1975) |
Pop/Rock |
[124] |
| The Doobie Brothers |
US |
70s-00s |
Rock |
[125] |
| The Doors |
US |
60s-70s |
Rock |
[126] [127] |
| The Police |
UK |
70s-80s |
Rock |
[128] [129] |
| The Seekers |
Australia |
60s, 90s-00s |
Rock/Pop/Folk |
[130] |
| The Ventures |
US |
50s-00s (1959-) |
Rock |
[131] |
| Hank Thompson |
US |
40s-00s |
Country |
[132] |
| Three Dog Night |
US |
60s-70s |
Rock |
[133] |
| Tupac |
US |
90s-00s (1994-) |
Rap |
[134] |
| Tina Turner |
US |
70s-00s |
R&B |
[135] |
| Shania Twain |
Canada |
90s-00s (1999-) |
Country/Pop |
[136] |
| Van Halen |
US |
70s-00s (1984-1996) |
Rock |
[137] |
| Stevie Wonder |
US |
60s-00s (1972-1985) |
R&B |
[138] |
List of best-selling music artists - See Also
- Best-selling female singer
Category: Incomplete music lists
Other related archivesA-ha, A. R. Rahman, ABBA, AC/DC, Adriano Celentano, Aerosmith, Alabama, Alanis Morissette, Alla Pugacheva, Andre Kostelanetz, Annie Lennox, Australia, B'z, Backstreet Boys, Barbra Streisand, Barry Manilow, Barry White, Bay City Rollers, Best-selling female singer, Billy Joel, Bing Crosby, Bjork, Black Sabbath, Bob Dylan, Bob Marley, Bon Jovi, Boyz II Men, Brazil, Brenda Lee, Britney Spears, Bruce Springsteen, Bryan Adams, Canada, Celine Dion, Charles Aznavour, Chicago, China, Cliff Richard, Dalida, David Bowie, Def Leppard, Depeche Mode, Developing world, Disco, Dolly Parton, Donna Summer, Duran Duran, Earth, Wind & Fire, Eddy Arnold, Elton John, Elvis Presley, Eminem, Encyclopedia Britannica, Enya, Eric Clapton, Fairouz, Fleetwood Mac, Foreigner, France, Frank Sinatra, Frankie Laine, Garth Brooks, Gene Autry, Genesis, George Strait, Germany, Gloria Estefan, Greece, Guns N' Roses, Hank Snow, Hank Thompson, Iceland, Illayaraja, Incomplete music lists, India, Ireland, Isle of Man, Italy, Jamaica, Janet Jackson, Japan, Jean-Michel Jarre, John Denver, Johnny Cash, Johnny Hallyday, Johnny Mathis, Journey, Julio Iglesias, KISS, Kenny Rogers, Kylie Minogue, Lebanon, Led Zeppelin, Linda Ronstadt, Lionel Richie, Luciano Pavarotti, Luis Miguel, Madonna, Mariah Carey, Meat Loaf, Metallica, Mexico, Michael Bolton, Michael Jackson, Mireille Mathieu, Modern Talking, Motley Crue, Nana Mouskouri, Nat King Cole, Neil Diamond, Nirvana, Norway, Oasis, Olivia Newton-John, Patti Page, Paul Anka, Paul McCartney, Pearl Jam, Perry Como, Phil Collins, Pink Floyd, Queen, RIAA, Ricky Nelson, Roberto Carlos, Rod Stewart, Rolling Stones, Russia, Salvatore Adamo, Santana, Shania Twain, Simon and Garfunkel, Spain, Stevie Wonder, Sweden, The Beatles, The Bee Gees, The Carpenters, The Doobie Brothers, The Doors, The Eagles, The Guinness Book Of World Records, The Jacksons, The Police, The Seekers, The Ventures, Three Dog Night, Tina Turner, Tony Bennett, Tupac, U2, UK, US, USA, Van Halen, Wei Wei, Whitney Houston, World Music Awards, album, downloads, single
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