To detail the best-selling musicians of all time by album sales, it’s helpful to first take a look at the music business — which isn’t what it used to be. Long gone are the days when an artist could put out an album or CD, and fans would rush to the store to buy a copy. That model, much to the chagrin of many musicians, ended in the late 1990s with the advent of streaming services that enabled people to download individual songs for free or a nominal price. While common now, this was a big deal at the time.
If you’re too young to remember this cultural milestone, Google “Napster and Metallica.” The heavy metal band’s drummer, Lars Ulrich, led the charge against Napster, a pioneering file-sharing internet service that allowed people to share digital musical files for free. Metallica sued Napster in 2000, alleging copyright infringement and racketeering. For a while, Ulrich became the much-maligned poster boy for greedy rock stars, but the courts ruled in Metallica’s favor and Napster eventually filed bankruptcy.
But, by then, the genie was out of the bottle. Other file-sharing services popped up, and today, people consume and download music, videos and other media through iTunes and a host of other companies. This has caused album sales to plummet. Indeed, the musical landscape is vastly different from the heydays of the 1970s, ’80s and ’90s when vinyl and CD sales peaked, which explains why the best-selling artists all rose to prominence decades ago. But even as musical tastes and styles have changed, these acts have remained popular across multiple generations.
Here are the best-selling artists of all time…
67. Lynyrd Skynyrd
Lynyrd Skynyrd Lead singer Ronnie Van Zant (right) urges on guitarist Steve Gaines during a performance at Convention Hall in Asbury Park, New Jersey July 20, 1977. AP
Certified Units Sold (in millions): 28.5
Still to this day, you can find Lynyrd Skynyrd touring the country, but before their fame, this rock and roll band formed in Jacksonville, Florida, with original members like Ronnie Van Zant, Steve Gaines, and Johnny Van Zant. They popularized Southern Rock with songs such as “Sweet Home Alabama” and “Free Bird.” However, things came to an unforntale hault when Ronnie Van Zant, Steve Gaines, and backup singer Cassie Gaines, died in an airplane crash in 1977.
63. Linda Ronstadt
Linda Ronstadt performs during the Lowell George Tribute at the Forum in Los Angeles, Ca., Saturday, Aug. 5, 1979. AP
Certified Units Sold (in millions): 30
Before being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease back in 2009, which halted her singing career, Linda Ronstadt was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in April 2014 due to her one-of-a-kind music career. Not only did she sell over 100 million records worldwide, but she also released over 30 albums, charted 38 Billboard Hot 100 singles, and wont 11 Grammy Awards, three American Music Awards, two Academy of Country Music awards, an Emmy Award, and an ALMA Award.
61. Boston (Tie)
Tom Scholz, Gary Pihl, Curly Smith, Kimberley Dahme, Jeff Neal, Tommy DeCarlo, David Victor and Tracy Ferrie with Boston performing as part of the Heaven On Earth Tour at Verizon Wireless Amphitheater at Encore Park on Saturday, June 14, 2014, in Atlanta. Robb D. Cohen / AP
Certified Units Sold (in millions): 31
Before the lead singer died in 2007, Boston was famous during the ‘70s for their classic rock tunes. Altogether, the band released six studio albums that included songs like “More Than a Feeling” and “Rock and Roll Band.”
52. John Denver (Tie)
Singer John Denver strums his guitar as he performs during an outdoor concert on the Boston Common, Boston, Mass., July 28, 1983. The performance was one in the Concerts in the Common series which runs througout the summer in Boston. AP
Certified Units Sold (in millions): 33.5
John Denver might’ve been known as an activist, actor, and record producer, but most of his success came from his singing-songwriting career. Between over 300 songs recorded, twelve gold albums, and four platinum albums, Denver’s became one of America’s best-selling performers.
26. Journey (Tie)
From left, Jonathan Cain, Ross Valory, Arnel Pineda, Neal Schon and Deen Castronovo of Journey. AP
Certified Units Sold (in millions): 49
Journey was added to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2017. Inductees included lead singer Steve Perry, guitarist Neal Schon, keyboardists Jonathan Cain and Gregg Rolie, bassist Ross Valory, and drummers Aynsley Dunbar and Steve Smith.
Of course, Steve Perry is no longer the lead singer. In the summer of 2007, Cain and Schon scoured Youtube to discover Filipino singer Arnel Pineda. Pineda has been belting out ‘Don’t Stop Believin’ ever since.
21. Van Halen
Certified Units Sold (in millions): 56.5
When Van Halen released its debut album in 1978, featuring the hit single “You Really Got Me,” it was a much-needed shot of adrenaline and attitude into the musical landscape. Fronted by vocalist David Lee Roth, one of rock’s ultimate frontmen, and pioneering guitar virtuoso Eddie Van Halen, the band from Pasadena, Calif., roared through much of the 1980s, releasing five more hit records before infighting and egos broke the band apart.
Van Halen replaced Roth with Sammy Hagar, and the band would go on to release several more hit records. Now Roth is back, although Van Halen hasn’t released any new music since 2012’s “A Different Kind of Truth.”
18. Metallica
Robert Trujillo, left, and James Hetfield of Metallica perform in Pasadena, Calif. Chris Pizzello / AP
Certified Units Sold (in millions): 63
Metallica is unique in that it is one of the few thrash/heavy metal bands that has been embraced by both critics and fans, releasing multiple albums that debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart.
Formed in 1981 in Los Angeles, Metallica quickly rose to fame thanks to its aggressive, uncompromising songs that — unlike the glam/hair metal bands of the 80s — explored personal and socially conscious issues, include war, death and mental health.
While the band has changed its style and sound over the years, it remains as heavy as ever, with an impressive 10-record catalog.
17. Madonna
Madonna performs during the Rebel Heart World Tour in Macau, China. AP
Certified Units Sold (in millions): 64.5
Madonna’s unique and boundary-pushing blend of empowerment and sexuality was custom made for MTV, which she shrewdly used to launch her career in the early 1980s. With hit songs like the upbeat “Like a Virgin” and “Material Girl,” Madonna not only made a huge splash in music, but she also became a trendsetter in the world of fashion.
She parlayed her success into several film roles, but music has remained her focus. During her career, she has released 13 albums, including Rebel Heart in 2015, and has been recognized by the Guinness World Records as the best-selling female recording artist of all time.
16. The Rolling Stones
Ronnie Wood, from left, Mick Jagger and Keith Richards of The Rolling Stones perform in New York. Charles Sykes / AP
Certified Units Sold (in millions): 66.5
In the 1960s, the Rolling Stones were the bad-bay alternative to the Beatles. While the Beatles were upbeat and poppy, the Stones had a dangerous swagger to them, with songs like “Sympathy for the Devil” and “Street Fighting Man.”
At the forefront of the British Invasion, the Rolling Stones — led by the iconic duo of Mick Jagger and Keith Richards — played a compelling mix of rock, blues and soul, all the while setting the standard for over-the-top rock star debauchery. More than 50 years after they started, the Rolling Stones are still releasing albums and selling out arenas.
13. Aerosmith
Certified Units Sold (in millions): 69.5
“The Bad Boys from Boston” ruled the 1970s rock landscape along with other pivotal acts like Zep Zeppelin and AC/DC. Fronted by charismatic frontman Stephen Tyler and guitarist Joe Perry, Aerosmith melded rock, metal, blues and glam into a nice sleazy package that helped the band sell millions of gold and platinum albums.
As the band’s popularity waned in the 1980s — partly due to drug use and inner turmoil — they had a hit collaboration with Run-D.M.C (“Walk this Way”), which heralded a second wave of success, including multiple top-selling albums and popular music videos.
Infighting still plagues the band, but they continue to release albums and are currently on their farewell tour — which reportedly could last several years.
11. Bruce Springsteen (Tie)
Certified Units Sold (in millions): 71
Bruce “The Boss” Springsteen, one of the world’s most successful American singer-songwriters, struggled to make a dent in the music industry when he started in the early 1970s. His first several albums — a blend of folk, country and rock — impressed some critics but were largely ignored by fans.
But then, in 1984, came “Born in the USA,” and everything changed. One of the best-selling albums of all time, the record catapulted Springsteen into superstardom, and today, the New Jersey native is one of the most celebrate personalities in music, known for his honest, heartfelt songs and energetic, four-hour-plus concerts.
9. Pink Floyd (Tie)
In this March 3, 1967 file photo, Roger Waters, Nick Mason, Syd Barrett and Richard Wright, of Pink Floyd appear in London. The band released their debut album in 1967. AP
Certified Units Sold (in millions): 75
Known for their moody, psychedelic and progressive music, Pink Floyd rose to fame in the 1970s. As their popularity grew, the band embarked on elaborate world tours noted for extravagant light shows and stage production.
Through various incarnations, the band released 15 albums, including “The Dark Side of the Moon” in 1973, which is one of the top-selling albums of all time.
5. Led Zeppelin
Singer Robert Plant, left, and guitarist Jimmy Page, right, of the British rock band Led Zeppelin perform at Philadelphia’s J.F.K. Stadium in 1985. AP
Certified Units Sold (in millions): 112.5
Synonymous with rock ‘n’ roll excess and debauchery, Led Zeppelin helped create the template for heavy, guitar-driven music. Hailing from England, the band released its first album in 1969 — which critics savaged.
But with the combustible mix of Robert Plant on vocals and Jimmy Paige on guitar, Led Zeppelin garnered a rabid following, headlining sold-out area tours throughout the 1970s.
3. Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley is shown performing in this undated photo. AP
Certified Units Sold (in millions): 146.5
He’s known as the “King of Rock & Roll” for good reason. When he arrived on the scene in the 1950s, he scandalized mainstream America with his hip-swiveling performances. But it was his music — a powerful mix of rock, blues, country and gospel — that made an indelible mark.
While Elvis died in 1977, he’s still an iconic figure, and every year millions of people make the pilgrimage to Graceland, his former residence in Memphis, Tennessee.
