Came across this online, was shocked to see how low Prince's U.S. album sales have been even during his prime in the 80s... I guess Purple Rain was a "one time" thing to the general public...

Dirty Mind -1M

Controversy -1M

1999- 4M

Purple Rain- 14M

ATWIAD -3M

Parade -2M

Sign O The Times -1M

Lovesexy - 1M

Batman -2M

[Edited 12/2/14 5:02am]

posted earlier, - figures are from 2008?

.

source: "the Org somewhere"..

.

Year - Album - Worldwide estimated sales = USA estimated sales + International (outside US) estimated sales
.
The 70's + 80's
.
1978 For You 930,000 = 550,000 + 380,000
1979 Prince 1,950,000 = 1,500,000 + 450,000
1980 Dirty Mind 2,015,000 = 1,085,000 + 930,000
1981 Controversy 2,650,000 = 1,550,000 + 1,100,000
1982 1999 6,075,000 = 4,320,000 + 1,755,000
1984 Purple Rain 19,880,000 = 14,480,000 + 5,400,000
1985 Around The World In A Day 4,585,000 = 2,845,000 + 1,740,000
1986 Parade 4,155,000 = 2,105,000 + 2,050,000
1987 Sign Of The Times 4,025,000 = 1,840,000 + 2,185,000
1988 Lovesexy 2,825,000 = 960,000 + 1,865,000
1989 Batman (Soundtrack) 4,790,000 = 2,500,000 + 2,290,000
.
Total 70's + 80's estimated worldwide all-time sales:
53,880,000 = 33,735,000 + 20,145,000
.
The 90's
.
1990 Graffiti Bridge 2,305,000 = 980,000 + 1,325,000
1991 Diamonds & Pearls 6,450,000 = 2,780,000 + 3,670,000
1992 Symbol 2,700,000 = 1,100,000 + 1,600,000
1993 The Hits/The B-Sides 1,000,000 = 650,000 + 350,000
1993 The Hits 1 2,750,000 = 2,000,000 + 750,000
1993 The Hits 2 2,250,000 = 1,750,000 + 500,000
1994 Come 1,000,000 = 500,000 + 500,000
1994 The Black Album 575,000 = 275,000 + 300,000
1995 The Gold Experience 900,000 = 550,000 + 350,000
1996 Chaos & Disorder 350,000 = 150,000 + 200,000
1996 Emancipation 1,200,000 = 700,000 + 500,000
1998 Crystal Ball 275,000 = 125,000 + 150,000
1998 Newpower Soul 425,000 = 225,000 + 200,000
1999 The Vault 250,000 = 125,000 + 125,000
1999 Rave Un2 The Joy Fantastic 750,000 = 500,000 + 250,000
.
Total 90's estimated worldwide all-time sales:
23,180,000 = 12,410,000 + 10,770,000
.
The 00's
.
2001 The Very Best Of Prince 2,000,000 = 1,300,000 + 700,000
2001 The Rainbow Children 300,000 = 175,000 + 125,000
2004 Musicology 1,500,000 = 1,000,000 + 500,000 (concert sales NOT included)
.
(add 3121, Planet Earth, Lotus, MPLSound, let's say 1,5 / 2 millions)
.
Total 00's estimated worldwide all-time sales:
3,800,000 = 2,475,000 + 1,325,000
.
Total (Estimated) Career All-Time Album Sales Worldwide:
.
80,860,000 = 48,620,000 + 32,240,000
.
.
Wikipedia:
.
- 1 billion records or more:
.
The Beatles
Elvis Presley
.
- 500 million to 999 million records:
.
Bing Crosby
Michael Jackson
.
- 200 million to 499 million records:
.
AC/DC
A. R. Rahman (India)
ABBA
Alla Pugacheva (Rusia)
Bee Gees
Bob Marley
Celine Dion
Cliff Richard
The Drifters
Elton John
Herbert von Karajan (Austria)
Julio Iglesias
Led Zeppelin
Madonna
Mariah Carey
Nana Mouskouri (Grecia/Francia)
Pink Floyd
The Rolling Stones
Tino Rossi (Francia)
Wei Wei (China)
.
- 100 million to 199 million records:
.
Adriano Calentano (Italia)
Aerosmith
Backstreet Boys
Barry White
Billy Joel
Bon Jovi
Boney M (Alemania)
The Carpenters
Charles Aznavour
Cher
Chicago
Dave Clark Five
David Bowie
Deep Purple
Depeche Mode
Dire Straits
Dolly Parton
The Eagles
Electric Light Orchestra
Engelbert Humperdnicks (USA/UK)
Fats Domino
Fleetwood Mac
The Four Seasons
Frank Sinatra
Garth Brooks
Genesis
George Michael
Guns N' Roses
Iron Maiden
James Last (Alemania)
The Jackson 5
Janet Jackson
Johnny Hallyday (Francia)
Kenny Rogers
Lionel Richie
Luciano Pavarotti
Michiya Mihashi (Japón)
Mireille Mathieu (Francia)
Modern Talking
Neil Diamond
Olivia Newton-John
Patti Page
Paul McCartney
Perry Como (USA)
Pet Shop Boys
Phil Collins
Prince
Queen
Ricky Nelson
Roberto Carlos
Rod Stewart
Salvatore Adamo (Bélgica)
Status Quo
Stevie Wonder
Teresa Teng (Taiwán)
Tina Turner
Tom Jones
U2
Valeriya (Rusia)
The Ventures
Whitney Houston
The Who
.
.
.
French magazine:
.
1 - Beatles = 346.500.000 (12/2007)
2 - Michael Jackson = 205.500.000 (09/2008)
3 - Pink Floyd = 193.700.000 (02/2008)
4 - Madonna = 188.500.000 (01/2008)
5 - Elvis Presley = 187.000.000
6 - Elton John = 177.200.000 (01/2008)
7 - Queen = 170.100.000 (09/2008)
8 - Rolling Stones = 169.100.000
9 - U2= 166.400.000 (02/2008)
10 - Led Zeppelin = 165.500.000 (01/2008)
11 - Celine Dion = 163.000.000 (12/2007)
12 - Eagles = 147.800.000 (12/2007)
13 - Mariah Carey = 147.800.000 (12/2007)
14 - Rod Stewart = 140.100.000 (03/2008)
15 - Barbra Streisand= 139.800.000 (02/2008)
16 - Whitney Houston = 134.200.000 (12/2007)
17 - AC/DC = 133.700.000 (11/2007)
18 - Garth Brooks = 131.900.000 (02/2008)
19 - Bruce Springsteen = 130.900.000 (02/2008)
20 - Eric Clapton = 129.000.000 (02/2008)
21 - Billy Joel = 124.500.000 (12/2007)
22 - Bee Gees = 122.100.000 (12/2007)
23 - Phil Collins = 122.000.000 (12/2007)
24 - Bob Dylan = 119.800.000 (12/2007)
25 - Fleetwood Mac = 118.100.000 (12/2007)
26 - Santana - 117.700.000 (03/2008)
27 - Neil Diamond = 117.300.000 (02/2008)
28 - Aerosmith = 113.500.000 (11/2007)
29 - Bon Jovi = 107.200.000 (12/2007)
30 - Simon and Garfunkel = 105.100.000 (03/2008)
31 - ABBA = 104.200.000 (09/2007)
32 - Paul McCartney - 103.700.000 (02/2008)
33 - Dire Strait = 102.800.000 (12/2007)
34 - Metallica - 102.500.000 (01/2008)
35 - Prince = 99.900.000 (02/2008)
36 - Genesis = 98.000.000 (12/2007)
37 - David Bowie = 95.700.000 (12/2007)
38 - Van Halen = 94.000.000 (02/2008)
39 - Guns N' Roses = 93.200.000 (12/2007)
40 - Kenny Rogers = 90.400.000 (02/2008)
41 - The Doors = 89.700.000 (01/2008)
42 - Julio Iglesias = 89.500.000 (03/2008)
43 - Stevie Wonder= 87.100.000 (03/2008)
44 - Bob Marley = 86.600.000 (01/2008)
45 - Backstreet Boys = 85.900.000 (02/2008)
46 - R.E.M. = 83.800.000 (02/2008)
47 - Eminem = 83.400.000 (12/2007)
48 - Neil Young = 79.900.000 (06/2008)
49 - Enya = 78.300.000 (12/2007)
50 - Kenny G = 77.900.000 (03/2008)

I've been under the impression the Batman OST has sold about 10 million.

Of course, a huge percentage of those copies ended up being sold second hand, forgotten in closets or just thrown into a dumpsters.

Good music doesn't sell?? Genius music doesn't sell???

Naw... it's his image that doesn't sell... That was the truth.

Like Alan Leeds said... White shirt and blue jeans, make a record half as genius as Prince does, will sell 2x as more.

How can Sign O The Times sell just 1M in USA in 1987... Wasn't the MUSIC that was wrong...

novabrkr said:

I've been under the impression the Batman OST has sold about 10 million.

Of course, a huge percentage of those copies ended up being sold second hand, forgotten in closets or just thrown into a dumpsters.

Wikipedia and other biographies said it sold 11 million world wide, but RIAA certifies it as 4M... It's strange it was one of the fastest selling albums in the summer of 1989 to the higest grossing movie of 1989... I really think the BATMAN album numbers are miscalculated... I really don't believe it sold just 4m, I also don't believe it sold 11 million either...

feeluupp said:

Came across this online, was shocked to see how low Prince's U.S. album sales have been even during his prime in the 80s... I guess Purple Rain was a "one time" thing to the general public...

Dirty Mind -1M

Controversy -1M

1999- 4M

Purple Rain- 14M

ATWIAD -3M

Parade -2M

Sign O The Times -1M

Lovesexy - 1M

Batman -2M

[Edited 12/2/14 5:02am]

*

This is the reason why some of us are so surprised that folks ever started using "sales" or "chart position" to validate or invalidate Prince. Being a Prince fan since 1979, Purple Rain was the only time I even had a clue about "sales" and "chart position". To be clear, I somewhat understood that he had to sell some amount of records to be on the radio and video programs, but there was never really this big conversation about Prince's "sales" like other artists. Not to be "too" or "overly" romantic or even nostalgic, but Prince was always discussed more as an "artistic phenomenon" who was simply good, daring, and different. Of course, many, today, can argue that for their tastes Prince is no longer good, daring, and different, and, while I disagree, it seems foolish for either side to use "sales" or "chart position" to justify our position. And, yes, it's easy to get caught up in this argument when so many on this site point to Prince's low "sales" as an example of him no longer being relevant then I would respond by stating that Dirty Mind and Controversy were not "gold" albums until after the success of Purple Rain, or I would respond by stating that Prince has had four top-charting albums since 2004. Yet, the truth of the matter is that I and most Prince fans that I know never really cared, even during the Eighties, what Prince's sales or chart position were/are because, again, he was always judged by something different. For lack of a better term, by 1983, even before Purple Rain made him a "crossover" "household" name, Prince was already being considered as something special, different, unique and not quantifiable by "sales" and "chart positions." Moreover, I also loved that unlike MJ, who seemed to be driven completely by recapturing the Thriller success over and over until much of his brilliant work became the same songs, Prince seemed to be rejecting the box of what the Purple Rain success meant, deciding to make art that moved, expanded, and challenged him. Whether he is still doing this is, of course, debatable. But, I like that even while Prince has worked to embrace some things/sounds that don't move me--namely hip hop--he has done so in ways that continue to provide songs that make me want to dance, laugh, think, and feel. So, today is like yesterday; Prince's art still moves me much more than his "sales" or "chart position".

feeluupp said:

Good music doesn't sell?? Genius music doesn't sell???

Naw... it's his image that doesn't sell... That was the truth.

Like Alan Leeds said... White shirt and blue jeans, make a record half as genius as Prince does, will sell 2x as more.

How can Sign O The Times sell just 1M in USA in 1987... Wasn't the MUSIC that was wrong...

*

I agree with this completely, and I just shrugged it off as different strokes for different folks and that I could not be worried or bothered by people whose minds were/are so limited that they couldn't recognize the genius because of their own "hang ups". Also, I liked that his image always seemed to parallel the mode, tone, and texture of the art. To be clear, I didn't need the image to enjoy the art, but it seemed to fit.

1725topp said:

]

*

This is the reason why some of us are so surprised that folks ever started using "sales" or "chart position" to validate or invalidate Prince. Being a Prince fan since 1979, Purple Rain was the only time I even had a clue about "sales" and "chart position". To be clear, I somewhat understood that he had to sell some amount of records to be on the radio and video programs, but there was never really this big conversation about Prince's "sales" like other artists. Not to be "too" or "overly" romantic or even nostalgic, but Prince was always discussed more as an "artistic phenomenon" who was simply good, daring, and different. Of course, many, today, can argue that for their tastes Prince is no longer good, daring, and different, and, while I disagree, it seems foolish for either side to use "sales" or "chart position" to justify our position. And, yes, it's easy to get caught up in this argument when so many on this site point to Prince's low "sales" as an example of him no longer being relevant then I would respond by stating that Dirty Mind and Controversy were not "gold" albums until after the success of Purple Rain, or I would respond by stating that Prince has had four top-charting albums since 2004. Yet, the truth of the matter is that I and most Prince fans that I know never really cared, even during the Eighties, what Prince's sales or chart position were/are because, again, he was always judged by something different. For lack of a better term, by 1983, even before Purple Rain made him a "crossover" "household" name, Prince was already being considered as something special, different, unique and not quantifiable by "sales" and "chart positions." Moreover, I also loved that unlike MJ, who seemed to be driven completely by recapturing the Thriller success over and over until much of his brilliant work became the same songs, Prince seemed to be rejecting the box of what the Purple Rain success meant, deciding to make art that moved, expanded, and challenged him. Whether he is still doing this is, of course, debatable. But, I like that even while Prince has worked to embrace some things/sounds that don't move me--namely hip hop--he has done so in ways that continue to provide songs that make me want to dance, laugh, think, and feel. So, today is like yesterday; Prince's art still moves me much more than his "sales" or "chart position".

Very well put - with Prince it was always about whether his new artistic endeavers touched me, moved me, made me dance; and not on whether or not he was on any charts. You opened a Prince record (mostly on the first day of release), and you did not know what to expect - that was the thrill of it. I remember listening to SOTT the first time thinking what the heck was that... And then I listened to the record again about 20 times in 10 days or so...

Krid said:

1725topp said:

*

This is the reason why some of us are so surprised that folks ever started using "sales" or "chart position" to validate or invalidate Prince. Being a Prince fan since 1979, Purple Rain was the only time I even had a clue about "sales" and "chart position". To be clear, I somewhat understood that he had to sell some amount of records to be on the radio and video programs, but there was never really this big conversation about Prince's "sales" like other artists. Not to be "too" or "overly" romantic or even nostalgic, but Prince was always discussed more as an "artistic phenomenon" who was simply good, daring, and different. Of course, many, today, can argue that for their tastes Prince is no longer good, daring, and different, and, while I disagree, it seems foolish for either side to use "sales" or "chart position" to justify our position. And, yes, it's easy to get caught up in this argument when so many on this site point to Prince's low "sales" as an example of him no longer being relevant then I would respond by stating that Dirty Mind and Controversy were not "gold" albums until after the success of Purple Rain, or I would respond by stating that Prince has had four top-charting albums since 2004. Yet, the truth of the matter is that I and most Prince fans that I know never really cared, even during the Eighties, what Prince's sales or chart position were/are because, again, he was always judged by something different. For lack of a better term, by 1983, even before Purple Rain made him a "crossover" "household" name, Prince was already being considered as something special, different, unique and not quantifiable by "sales" and "chart positions." Moreover, I also loved that unlike MJ, who seemed to be driven completely by recapturing the Thriller success over and over until much of his brilliant work became the same songs, Prince seemed to be rejecting the box of what the Purple Rain success meant, deciding to make art that moved, expanded, and challenged him. Whether he is still doing this is, of course, debatable. But, I like that even while Prince has worked to embrace some things/sounds that don't move me--namely hip hop--he has done so in ways that continue to provide songs that make me want to dance, laugh, think, and feel. So, today is like yesterday; Prince's art still moves me much more than his "sales" or "chart position".

Very well put - with Prince it was always about whether his new artistic endeavers touched me, moved me, made me dance; and not on whether or not he was on any charts. You opened a Prince record (mostly on the first day of release), and you did not know what to expect - that was the thrill of it. I remember listening to SOTT the first time thinking what the heck was that... And then I listened to the record again about 20 times in 10 days or so...

I agree with you.

I am rebuying all of his 12" singles and albums on vinyl again, even though I heard all the albums and songs, there is still that same excitement.

My first Prince album I ever bought was Controversy... What a magical experience.

I just wish more of the general public could experience the same magic as us fans.

thedance said:

Prince = 99.900.000 (02/2008)

Impressive!


Not bad at all..... 100 mio records sold.

But to count that high numbers?

It's gotta be all kind of units/ records sold:


singles,
maxisingles,
vinyls,
cassette tapes,
cd's......

It can't be just "albums" only...?

its a bad day when a million album sales in one country is considered "low sales"

feeluupp said:

Good music doesn't sell?? Genius music doesn't sell???

Naw... it's his image that doesn't sell... That was the truth.

Like Alan Leeds said... White shirt and blue jeans, make a record half as genius as Prince does, will sell 2x as more.

How can Sign O The Times sell just 1M in USA in 1987... Wasn't the MUSIC that was wrong...

I agree with that. As much as I loved Prince there was ZERO.. ZEEEERRRROOOO way I was going to walk into a record store and pick up LoveSexy.. It wasn't going to happen. Today with online/digital sales, that stuff isn't as much an issue, but I think historically Prince's image played a large roll in whether people gravitated towards him or not.

lezama said:

feeluupp said:

Good music doesn't sell?? Genius music doesn't sell???

Naw... it's his image that doesn't sell... That was the truth.

Like Alan Leeds said... White shirt and blue jeans, make a record half as genius as Prince does, will sell 2x as more.

How can Sign O The Times sell just 1M in USA in 1987... Wasn't the MUSIC that was wrong...

I agree with that. As much as I loved Prince there was ZERO.. ZEEEERRRROOOO way I was going to walk into a record store and pick up LoveSexy.. It wasn't going to happen. Today with online/digital sales, that stuff isn't as much an issue, but I think historically Prince's image played a large roll in whether people gravitated towards him or not.

Actually I think I felt the same way about the self titled Prince album as well.. and the Dirty Mind album.. and the 1800NEWFUNK album.. I come from a somewhat conservative hispanic family, those albums in my house would have caused a bit of unwanted commotion.

feeluupp said:

Krid said:

Very well put - with Prince it was always about whether his new artistic endeavers touched me, moved me, made me dance; and not on whether or not he was on any charts. You opened a Prince record (mostly on the first day of release), and you did not know what to expect - that was the thrill of it. I remember listening to SOTT the first time thinking what the heck was that... And then I listened to the record again about 20 times in 10 days or so...

I agree with you.

I am rebuying all of his 12" singles and albums on vinyl again, even though I heard all the albums and songs, there is still that same excitement.

My first Prince album I ever bought was Controversy... What a magical experience.

I just wish more of the general public could experience the same magic as us fans.

*

Art/artistic taste is a funny thing--often too funny/strange/random to quantify. It seems that the general public of any society or time period likes art that does not require much time to understand and that does not challenge their safe/accepted sensibilities. With that, it became clear early to me that "the general public" or "a general public" would not be able to embrace someone whose primary goal was to be different and challenge norms. So, I'm just glad that Prince has been able to sustain his career in a way that I can have access to his art. The irony, I'll admit, is that, while Prince's behavior toward the internet has damaged his popularity with a mass audience, the internet allows Prince fans to maintain access to his "officially released" art even as his sales record decrease. So, thank Gawd for the evil internet. :^)

1725topp said:

feeluupp said:

Good music doesn't sell?? Genius music doesn't sell???

Naw... it's his image that doesn't sell... That was the truth.

Like Alan Leeds said... White shirt and blue jeans, make a record half as genius as Prince does, will sell 2x as more.

How can Sign O The Times sell just 1M in USA in 1987... Wasn't the MUSIC that was wrong...

*

I agree with this completely, and I just shrugged it off as different strokes for different folks and that I could not be worried or bothered by people whose minds were/are so limited that they couldn't recognize the genius because of their own "hang ups". Also, I liked that his image always seemed to parallel the mode, tone, and texture of the art. To be clear, I didn't need the image to enjoy the art, but it seemed to fit.

I think the image was part of the art.

Some of his albums, especially in the 80's, were pretty challenging stuff, at least at the time. No wonder it didn't sell millions.

This again

thedance said:

posted earlier, - figures are from 2008?

.

source: "the Org somewhere"..

.

Year - Album - Worldwide estimated sales = USA estimated sales + International (outside US) estimated sales
.
The 70's + 80's
.
1978 For You 930,000 = 550,000 + 380,000
1979 Prince 1,950,000 = 1,500,000 + 450,000
1980 Dirty Mind 2,015,000 = 1,085,000 + 930,000
1981 Controversy 2,650,000 = 1,550,000 + 1,100,000
1982 1999 6,075,000 = 4,320,000 + 1,755,000
1984 Purple Rain 19,880,000 = 14,480,000 + 5,400,000
1985 Around The World In A Day 4,585,000 = 2,845,000 + 1,740,000
1986 Parade 4,155,000 = 2,105,000 + 2,050,000
1987 Sign Of The Times 4,025,000 = 1,840,000 + 2,185,000
1988 Lovesexy 2,825,000 = 960,000 + 1,865,000
1989 Batman (Soundtrack) 4,790,000 = 2,500,000 + 2,290,000
.
Total 70's + 80's estimated worldwide all-time sales:
53,880,000 = 33,735,000 + 20,145,000
.
The 90's
.
1990 Graffiti Bridge 2,305,000 = 980,000 + 1,325,000
1991 Diamonds & Pearls 6,450,000 = 2,780,000 + 3,670,000
1992 Symbol 2,700,000 = 1,100,000 + 1,600,000
1993 The Hits/The B-Sides 1,000,000 = 650,000 + 350,000
1993 The Hits 1 2,750,000 = 2,000,000 + 750,000
1993 The Hits 2 2,250,000 = 1,750,000 + 500,000
1994 Come 1,000,000 = 500,000 + 500,000
1994 The Black Album 575,000 = 275,000 + 300,000
1995 The Gold Experience 900,000 = 550,000 + 350,000
1996 Chaos & Disorder 350,000 = 150,000 + 200,000
1996 Emancipation 1,200,000 = 700,000 + 500,000
1998 Crystal Ball 275,000 = 125,000 + 150,000
1998 Newpower Soul 425,000 = 225,000 + 200,000
1999 The Vault 250,000 = 125,000 + 125,000
1999 Rave Un2 The Joy Fantastic 750,000 = 500,000 + 250,000
.
Total 90's estimated worldwide all-time sales:
23,180,000 = 12,410,000 + 10,770,000
.
The 00's
.
2001 The Very Best Of Prince 2,000,000 = 1,300,000 + 700,000
2001 The Rainbow Children 300,000 = 175,000 + 125,000
2004 Musicology 1,500,000 = 1,000,000 + 500,000 (concert sales NOT included)
.
(add 3121, Planet Earth, Lotus, MPLSound, let's say 1,5 / 2 millions)
.
Total 00's estimated worldwide all-time sales:
3,800,000 = 2,475,000 + 1,325,000
.
Total (Estimated) Career All-Time Album Sales Worldwide:
.
80,860,000 = 48,620,000 + 32,240,000
.
.
Wikipedia:
.
- 1 billion records or more:
.
The Beatles
Elvis Presley
.
- 500 million to 999 million records:
.
Bing Crosby
Michael Jackson
.
- 200 million to 499 million records:
.
AC/DC
A. R. Rahman (India)
ABBA
Alla Pugacheva (Rusia)
Bee Gees
Bob Marley
Celine Dion
Cliff Richard
The Drifters
Elton John
Herbert von Karajan (Austria)
Julio Iglesias
Led Zeppelin
Madonna
Mariah Carey
Nana Mouskouri (Grecia/Francia)
Pink Floyd
The Rolling Stones
Tino Rossi (Francia)
Wei Wei (China)
.
- 100 million to 199 million records:
.
Adriano Calentano (Italia)
Aerosmith
Backstreet Boys
Barry White
Billy Joel
Bon Jovi
Boney M (Alemania)
The Carpenters
Charles Aznavour
Cher
Chicago
Dave Clark Five
David Bowie
Deep Purple
Depeche Mode
Dire Straits
Dolly Parton
The Eagles
Electric Light Orchestra
Engelbert Humperdnicks (USA/UK)
Fats Domino
Fleetwood Mac
The Four Seasons
Frank Sinatra
Garth Brooks
Genesis
George Michael
Guns N' Roses
Iron Maiden
James Last (Alemania)
The Jackson 5
Janet Jackson
Johnny Hallyday (Francia)
Kenny Rogers
Lionel Richie
Luciano Pavarotti
Michiya Mihashi (Japón)
Mireille Mathieu (Francia)
Modern Talking
Neil Diamond
Olivia Newton-John
Patti Page
Paul McCartney
Perry Como (USA)
Pet Shop Boys
Phil Collins
Prince
Queen
Ricky Nelson
Roberto Carlos
Rod Stewart
Salvatore Adamo (Bélgica)
Status Quo
Stevie Wonder
Teresa Teng (Taiwán)
Tina Turner
Tom Jones
U2
Valeriya (Rusia)
The Ventures
Whitney Houston
The Who
.
.
.
French magazine:
.
1 - Beatles = 346.500.000 (12/2007)
2 - Michael Jackson = 205.500.000 (09/2008)
3 - Pink Floyd = 193.700.000 (02/2008)
4 - Madonna = 188.500.000 (01/2008)
5 - Elvis Presley = 187.000.000
6 - Elton John = 177.200.000 (01/2008)
7 - Queen = 170.100.000 (09/2008)
8 - Rolling Stones = 169.100.000
9 - U2= 166.400.000 (02/2008)
10 - Led Zeppelin = 165.500.000 (01/2008)
11 - Celine Dion = 163.000.000 (12/2007)
12 - Eagles = 147.800.000 (12/2007)
13 - Mariah Carey = 147.800.000 (12/2007)
14 - Rod Stewart = 140.100.000 (03/2008)
15 - Barbra Streisand= 139.800.000 (02/2008)
16 - Whitney Houston = 134.200.000 (12/2007)
17 - AC/DC = 133.700.000 (11/2007)
18 - Garth Brooks = 131.900.000 (02/2008)
19 - Bruce Springsteen = 130.900.000 (02/2008)
20 - Eric Clapton = 129.000.000 (02/2008)
21 - Billy Joel = 124.500.000 (12/2007)
22 - Bee Gees = 122.100.000 (12/2007)
23 - Phil Collins = 122.000.000 (12/2007)
24 - Bob Dylan = 119.800.000 (12/2007)
25 - Fleetwood Mac = 118.100.000 (12/2007)
26 - Santana - 117.700.000 (03/2008)
27 - Neil Diamond = 117.300.000 (02/2008)
28 - Aerosmith = 113.500.000 (11/2007)
29 - Bon Jovi = 107.200.000 (12/2007)
30 - Simon and Garfunkel = 105.100.000 (03/2008)
31 - ABBA = 104.200.000 (09/2007)
32 - Paul McCartney - 103.700.000 (02/2008)
33 - Dire Strait = 102.800.000 (12/2007)
34 - Metallica - 102.500.000 (01/2008)
35 - Prince = 99.900.000 (02/2008)
36 - Genesis = 98.000.000 (12/2007)
37 - David Bowie = 95.700.000 (12/2007)
38 - Van Halen = 94.000.000 (02/2008)
39 - Guns N' Roses = 93.200.000 (12/2007)
40 - Kenny Rogers = 90.400.000 (02/2008)
41 - The Doors = 89.700.000 (01/2008)
42 - Julio Iglesias = 89.500.000 (03/2008)
43 - Stevie Wonder= 87.100.000 (03/2008)
44 - Bob Marley = 86.600.000 (01/2008)
45 - Backstreet Boys = 85.900.000 (02/2008)
46 - R.E.M. = 83.800.000 (02/2008)
47 - Eminem = 83.400.000 (12/2007)
48 - Neil Young = 79.900.000 (06/2008)
49 - Enya = 78.300.000 (12/2007)
50 - Kenny G = 77.900.000 (03/2008)

Great info, thedance!!!

lezama said:

feeluupp said:

Good music doesn't sell?? Genius music doesn't sell???

Naw... it's his image that doesn't sell... That was the truth.

Like Alan Leeds said... White shirt and blue jeans, make a record half as genius as Prince does, will sell 2x as more.

How can Sign O The Times sell just 1M in USA in 1987... Wasn't the MUSIC that was wrong...

I agree with that. As much as I loved Prince there was ZERO.. ZEEEERRRROOOO way I was going to walk into a record store and pick up LoveSexy.. It wasn't going to happen. Today with online/digital sales, that stuff isn't as much an issue, but I think historically Prince's image played a large roll in whether people gravitated towards him or not.

that's funny because I worked at a record store when it came out - and i was the only staff member that bought it and played it while working...........everyone else made fun of me and tried to hide the record behind other records so they did not have to look at it........people are dumb

3rdeyedude said:

lezama said:

I agree with that. As much as I loved Prince there was ZERO.. ZEEEERRRROOOO way I was going to walk into a record store and pick up LoveSexy.. It wasn't going to happen. Today with online/digital sales, that stuff isn't as much an issue, but I think historically Prince's image played a large roll in whether people gravitated towards him or not.

that's funny because I worked at a record store when it came out - and i was the only staff member that bought it and played it while working...........everyone else made fun of me and tried to hide the record behind other records so they did not have to look at it........people are dumb

SOTT sold 500,000 in the US. Double album sets got sales doubled per RIAA standards. Just try finding a lot of people who have it in their collection who are not die hards. Sure, you will find the random person...but in the US, I don't know ONE person who bought it who doesn't own at least 10 of his releases.