This is a list of the best-selling music artists of all time. The measure is the total number of singles and albums sold world-wide (singles and albums weighted equally, paid digital downloads included too).

Warning: The claims made on this page are only as reliable as the references given. In certain cases on this list, sources are not given at all. Furthermore, the references themselves may be based on estimates made by non-reliable sources such as news articles, fan sites, record label statements (not worldwide), etc. In reality, building such a list from a neutral point of view and based on facts, is quite difficult. However, a group of Wikipedia editors are working hard to make sure this list is as accurate as possible.



# Name Albums Worldwide Sales Nationality Years Active Genre Source

1 Elvis Presley 1,000,000,000+ US (1950s-1970s) Rock [1]
2 The Beatles 1,000,000,000+ UK 50-70s (1962-1969) Rock [2]

3 Michael Jackson 14 ~500,000,000| 350,000,000 solo+ 150,000,000 Jackson 5 | US 70s-00s (1979-) R&B/Pop/Rock MJ Stats

4 Nana Mouskouri 450 ~250,000,000 Greece 60s-00s (1959-) Pop [3]
[4]

5 Cliff Richard 60+ 250,000,000 UK 50s-00s (1959-2005) Rock/Pop [5]

6 Madonna 16 ~250,000,000 US 80s-00s (1983-) Rock/Pop WBR 2005

7 Mariah Carey 14 ~230,000,000 US 90s-00s (1990-) R&B/Pop Albums Discography
Singles Discography

8 The Rolling Stones 54 ~230,000,000 UK 60s-00s (1964-1981) Rock 60.5 million in the US [7]
9 Celine Dion 21 ~220,000,000 Canada 80s-00s (1981-) Rock/Pop
10 Elton John 43 ~230,000,000 UK 70s-00s (1972-1976,1986-) Rock/Pop [8]
11 Pink Floyd 21 ~200,000,000 UK 60s-00s (1970-1983,1994-1995) Rock 73 Mil US
12 Led Zeppelin 19 200,000,000+ UK 60s-70s (1969-1979) Rock MSNBC
13 Metallica 10 ~200,000,000 US 80's-00's (1991-1997) Metal 57 mil US
14 Julio Iglesias 80 ~200,000,000 Spain 70s-00s (1969-) Latino Pop [9] [10]
15 Queen 26 190,000,000 UK 70s-00s (1973-2005) Rock R&R HoF, 20011995 source
Queen (band) See also: discussion #11 [11]
16 Whitney Houston 10 ~180,000,000 US 80s-00s (1985-2000) R&B/Pop [12]Whitney Houston Discography
17 AC/DC 30 ~180,000,000 Australia/UK 70s-00s (1980-1992) Rock AC/DC
MSN Music David Icke
18 ABBA 26 160,000,000 Sweden 70s-80s (1974-1982) Rock ABBA discography
19 U2 11 ~150,000,000 Ireland 80s-00s (1983-) Rock 50.5m.US [13]
20 The Jacksons 28 150,000,000 US 60s-80s (1969-1980) R&B/Pop 71m.US
21 Garth Brooks 16 ~145,000,000 US 80s-00s (1989-2001) Country 105m.US
22 David Bowie 38 136,000,000 UK 60s-00s (1967-2003) Rock src.
23 Janet Jackson 11 130,000,000 US 80s-00s (1986-) R&B/Pop Janet Jackson Discography
24 The Eagles 15 ~120,000,000 US 70s-00s (1974-1979) Rock 89 million in US [14]
25 Wei Wei (韦唯) ~120,000,000 China 80s-00s (1986-) Pop [15] [16]
26 The Bee Gees 29 110,000,000 UK/Australia 60s-00s (1975-1979) Rock src.1 [17]
27 Bon Jovi 13 ~110,000,000 US 80s-00s (1986-2000) Rock (100m.alb.)
28 R.E.M. 17 ~110,000,000 US 80s-00s (1991-) Rock Wikipedia source
29 Kenny Rogers 43 105,000,000+ US 60s-00s (1977-1983) Rock [18]
[19]
30 Black Sabbath 27 100,000,000+ UK 70s-00s Metal [20]
31 Barbra Streisand 56 100,000,000+ US 60s-00s (1963-1980) popular 70.5 million in US [21]

32 Britney Spears 5 ~100,000,000 US 90s-00s (1999 - ) Pop

33 Alla Pugacheva 15 ~100,000,000 Russia 70s-00s (1976-) Rock/Pop *(10m.US) [22]
34 Johnny Mathis ~100,000,000 US 50s-00s Pop/Standards src. source 2
35 Ricky Nelson ~100,000,000 US 50s-80s (1958-1961) Pop/Country/Rock Note: no references given here
36 Luciano Pavarotti ~100,000,000 Italy 60s-00s (1972-) Opera [23] [24]
37 Brenda Lee ~100,000,000 US 50s-60s (1958-1963) Pop/Country Note: No references given here
38 Illayaraja 750+ ~100,000,000 India 70s-00s (1982-) Classical [25]
39 A. R. Rahman 92 ~100,000,000 India 90s-00s (1992-) Classical [26]
40 Deep Purple 45 ~150,000,000 UK 60s-00s (1971-1972) Rock [27]
41 Lionel Richie 8 ~100,000,000 US 80s-00s (1981-1985) R&B [28] 21.0 mililion in US
[29]
42 Dolly Parton ~100,000,000 US 60s-00s (1981-1983) Country [30] Note: this artist is not listed by RIAA as one of the 200 best selling artists in US [31]
43 Donna Summer 29 ~100,000,000 US 70s-90s (1977-1983) Disco Wikipedia source
44 Aerosmith 28 ~100,000,000 US 70s-00s (1993-1998) Rock [32] [33]
45 Billy Joel 24 ~100,000,000 US 70s-00s (1978-1983,1989-1993) Rock 78 mil.US, [34] [35]
46 Fleetwood Mac 43 ~100,000,000 UK/US 60s-00s (1975-1990) Rock 2
47 Johnny Hallyday ~100,000,000 France 50s-00s Pop src.1 [36]
48 Charles Aznavour ~100,000,000 France 50s-00s Pop [37]
49 Backstreet Boys 6 ~90,000,000+ US 90s-00s (1999-2000) Rock src.1 [38]
50 Bruce Springsteen 21 ~90,000,000 US 70s-00s (1980-1995,2002-) Rock *(61 mil. albums US)
51 Def Leppard 14 ~90,000,000 UK 80s-00s (1987-1988) Rock 55.5mil.US
52 Bob Dylan 50 ~90,000,000 US 60s-00s (1965-1976) Rock *35m.US,
53 Earth, Wind & Fire 30 90,000,000 US 70s-00s (1975) R&B/Funk/Disco/Pop *(23 mil.US) [39] Note: No references given here for 90 million WW figure
54 KISS 30 ~90,000,000 US 70s-00s Rock source
55 B'z 14 ~86,000,000 Japan 90s-00s (1989-) Rock See also: discussion #22
56 Eddy Arnold 85,000,000 US 40s-90s Country source
57 Iron Maiden 24 ~85,000,000 UK 70s-00s (1988-1992) Metal *(32 mil. US), src.
58 Modern Talking ~80,000,000 Germany 80s-00s (1984-1986,1998-) Eurodance
59 Jean-Michel Jarre 19 ~80,000,000 France 70s-00s (1976-1978) Synth Pop sourceSee also: discussion #19
60 Santana 54 ~80,000,000 US 60s-00s (1970-1972,1999-) Rock src.1 [40]
61 Dalida ~80,000,000 France 50s-80s (1956-1987) as of 1981 See also: discussion #19
62 Salvatore Adamo ~80,000,000 Italy 60s-00s [41]
63 Fairouz ~80,000,000 Lebanon 60s-00s Traditional Arab, Modern, Pop *(35 mil. US)
64 Eric Clapton 41 ~80,000,000 UK 80s-00s (1992-1995) Rock *(38 mil. US)
65 Stevie Wonder 25 ~80,000,000 US 60s-00s (1972-1985) R&B [42]
66 Hank Snow ~80,000,000 Canada 30's-90's Folk [43]
67 Mireille Mathieu 37 76,000,000 France 60s-00s Pop

68 Spice Girls 3 ~76,000,000 UK 90s-00s (1996-2000) Pop source

69 Journey 27 ~75,000,000 US 70s-00s (1981) Rock/Pop 40mil.US, [44]
70 Paul McCartney 41 ~75,000,000+ UK 60s-00s (1970-1989) Rock Note: no reference given here

71 Duran Duran 13 74,000,000 UK 80s-00s (1983-1985) Pop/Rock

72 Shania Twain 6 ~73,000,000 Canada 90s-00s (1999-) Country/Pop Note: No references given here
73 Depeche Mode 28 ~70,000,000 UK 80s-00s (1993-1997) Rock Note: No references given here
74 A-ha 10 70,000,000 Norway 80s-00s (1985-1993,2000-) Pop [45] [46]
75 The Carpenters 70,000,000 US 60s-80s (1970-1975) Pop/Rock reference needed

76 Gloria Estefan ~70,000,000 US 80s-00s (1988-1991) Latino Pop src.1, [47]

77 Enya 5 70,000,000 Ireland 80s-00s (1988-1991) New Age/Celtic Note: No references given here for WW figure
78 Roberto Carlos ~70,000,000 Brazil 60s-00s [48] [49]
79 Charley Pride ~70,000,000 US 60s-00s Country source
80 Bay City Rollers ~70,000,000 UK 70s-00s (1974-1976) Pop/Rock [50]
81 Van Halen 14 ~70,000,000 US 70s-00s (1984-1996) Rock [51]
82 Roxette 16 ~70,000,000 Sweden 80s-00s Rock [52]

83 Kylie Minogue 65,000,000 Australia 80s-00s (1987-1994,2000-) Pop source

84 George Strait ~65,000,000 US 70s-00s Country *54 mil. US
85 Eminem 65,000,000 US 90s-00s (2000-) Rap *(22 mil. US)
86 Tupac 60,000,000+ US 90s-00s (1994-) Rap [54]
87 Genesis 60,000,000 UK 70s-00s (1980-1997) Rock src.
88 Phil Collins ~60,000,000 UK 80s-00s (1981-1998) Rock src.
89 Guns N' Roses 8 ~60,000,000 US 80s-90s (1987-1991) Rock 71mil. albums
90 Chicago 30 ~60,000,000 US 60s-80s (1972-1975) Rock [55]
91 Vicky Leandros 400+ ~150,000,000+ Greece 60s-00s Pop Greek gvt,official culture award 2003.
92 Bryan Adams ~60,000,000 Canada 80s-00s (1984-1985,1991-2000) Pop/Rock [56]

93 The Doors ~60,000,000 US 60s-70s (1967-1968) Rock *(30 mil. US)

94 Tina Turner ~60,000,000 US 70s-00s (1984-1993) R&B [57]

95 Perry Como ~60,000,000 US 30s-00s (1953-1958) Vocal [58] [59]
96 Frank Sinatra ~60,000,000 US 40s-90s (1954-1957, 1965-1973) Vocal *(25 mil.US)
97 Simon and Garfunkel ~60,000,000 US 60s (1965-1970) Rock *(36mil.US)
98 Pearl Jam ~60,000,000 US 90s-00s (1993-1996) Alternative *(29 mil. US)
99 John Denver ~60,000,000 US 60s-00s (1969-1975) Rock [60]
100 The Monkees ~60,000,000 US 60s-90s (1966-1967) Pop/Rock [61]
101 Hank Thompson ~60,000,000 US 40s-00s Country Note: no reference provided
102 Barry Manilow 60,000,000+ US 70s-00s (1974-1985) Pop/Standards [62]
103 Boyz II Men ~60,000,000 US 80s-00s (1992-1997) R&B/Pop *(27mil.US), [63]
104 Paul Anka ~60,000,000 Canada 50s-00s (1957-1961, 1974-1975) Pop [64]
105 Alanis Morissette ~55,000,000 Canada 90s-00s (1995-) Rock src.1 [65]
106 TLC 4 55,000,000+ USA 90s-00s (1994-1999) R&B BMG
107 The Police *53,000,000 UK 70s-80s (1979-1983) Rock 22m.US, [66]
108 Nirvana *52,000,000 US 80s-90s (1991-1996) Rock 24m.US
109 Michael Bolton 52,000,000 US 80s-00s (1990-1992) Pop [67]
110 Luis Miguel 55,000,000 Mexico 80s-00s (1986-) Latin Pop [68]
111 Andre Kostelanetz 52,000,000 US 70s-00s Classic src.1 [69]
112 Tony Bennett ~51,000,000 US 50s-00s (1951-1955) Standards/Jazz [70]
113 Alabama *~50,000,000 US 70s-00s Country 46m.US
114 Johnny Cash 4 ~50,000,000 US 50s-00s (1957-1963,1967-1969,1994-1996) Country [71]
115 Motley Crue *~50,000,000 US 80s-00s (1989) Rock 22m.US, [72]

116 Destiny's Child *~55,000,000 UK 1999-) Rock/Pop 45m USA

117 Oasis ~57,000,000 UK 90s-00s (1994-) Rock ~50m.albums
118 Meat Loaf ~50,000,000 US 70s-00s (1977-1981,1993) Rock [73] src.2
119 Olivia Newton-John ~50,000,000 Australia 70s-00s (1974-1982) Country/Pop [74]

120 Bjork ~50,000,000 Iceland 80s-00s Alternative Note: this artist is NOT listed as one of the 200 best-selling artists by RIAA [75]

121 Gene Autry ~50,000,000 US Country [76]
122 Nat King Cole ~50,000,000 US 30s-60s Jazz [77]
123 The Seekers ~50,000,000 Australia 60s, 90s-00s Rock/Pop/Folk [78]
124 The Doobie Brothers ~50,000,000 US 70s-00s Rock 50mil.US
125 Three Dog Night ~50,000,000 US 60s-70s Rock [79] [80] src.3
126 Bob Seger ~50,000,000 US 70s-00s Rock [81]
127 Roger Whittaker ~50,000,000 UK 70s-90s src.1 [82]

128 Annie Lennox ~50,000,000 UK 90s-00s src.1 [83]

129 Ace Of Base ~50,000,000 Sweden 90s-00s Pop/Dance source
130 Reba McEntire 48,000,000 US 70s-00s Country [84]
131 Andy Lau (劉德華) 48,000,000 Hong Kong 80s-00s Country [85] [86]
132 Ayumi Hamasaki 46,000,000 Japan 90s-00s J-Pop src.
133 Willie Nelson 46,000,000 US 50s-00s IRS
134 George Michael 45,000,000 UK 80s-00s Pop source [87]
135 Biggie Smalls ~48,000,000 US 90s Rap *(38mil.US)
136 Bananarama ~45,000,000 UK 80s-00s Pop/Rock/Dance 40mil albums
137 Chris de Burgh 45,000,000 Ireland 70s-00s Pop/Rock src.1 [88]
138 Red Hot Chili Peppers 44,000,000 US 80s-00s Rock
139 Milli Vanilli 44,000,000 Germany 80s-90s Pop [89]
140 Alan Jackson 43,000,000 US 90s-00s Country source
141 *NSYNC 42,000,000 US 90s-00s Rock *(30 mil. US)
142 Christina Aguilera 4 ~40,000,000 US 90s-00s Rock 34m.albums
143 Vicente Fernandez 40,000,000 Mexico 70s-00s Mexican
144 Waylon Jennings +40,000,000 US Country [90]
145 Jose Feliciano 40,000,000 Puerto Rico 60s-00s Pop source
146 Judas Priest 15 ~40,000,000 UK 70s-00s Metal source
147 The Who ~40,000,000 UK 60s-00s Rock *(20mil.US)
148 Ozzy Osbourne ~40,000,000


site >>> W.


no PRINCE?!?!?

so who has more the Beatles or Elvis?

Bjork has sold 50 million albums , wow who knew she was pushing those number.

They're all wrong. That crap is from Wikipedia, isn't it?
[Edited 12/7/05 1:18am]

where is Prince on this list?