When examining the music industry and record sales, several key questions arise. Who has sold the most records of all time worldwide? Which musicians dominate record sales for specific genres? How have record sales changed over the decades? By exploring these questions in detail, we can better understand the history of the music business and which artists truly reign supreme in terms of commercial success.
First, let’s examine who tops the list of best-selling musicians of all time. This gives us insight into which artists have achieved massive, global popularity spanning decades. Understanding the best-selling artists also shows us which genres and styles of music have the widest commercial appeal.
Best Selling Musicians of All Time
According to data compiled by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), here are the top 5 best-selling artists worldwide based on certified units sold:
| Artist | Certified Units Sold |
| The Beatles | 183 million |
| Garth Brooks | 157 million |
| Elvis Presley | 146.5 million |
| Eagles | 120 million |
| Michael Jackson | 84 million |
A few key takeaways emerge from this top-level global data:
- The Beatles stand apart as the best-selling band, with nearly 184 million certified units sold. Their consistent commercial success spans decades, genres, and generations of fans.
- Garth Brooks is the best-selling solo artist, topping Elvis Presley by over 10 million units. This highlights Brooks’ unprecedented popularity and appeal in the country music genre.
- Classic rock bands Eagles and Michael Jackson represent pop music icons with tremendous staying power across decades.
Now let’s explore the best-selling artists broken down by individual genres and styles of music.
Best Selling Artists by Genre
Pop
| Artist | Certified Units Sold |
| The Beatles | 183 million |
| Michael Jackson | 84 million |
| Elton John | 79 million |
| Madonna | 64.5 million |
| Mariah Carey | 64 million |
The Beatles continue their dominance here, and Michael Jackson takes second place. Elton John’s prolific career and Mariah Carey’s sustained diva success contribute to their high placements as well.
Rock
| Artist | Certified Units Sold |
| The Beatles | 183 million |
| Eagles | 120 million |
| Led Zeppelin | 111.5 million |
| Pink Floyd | 75 million |
| AC/DC | 72 million |
Here we see the broader appeal of bands like The Beatles and Eagles in topping yet another genre’s sales rankings. Veterans Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd further demonstrate rock music’s strong catalog sales over decades.
Country
| Artist | Certified Units Sold |
| Garth Brooks | 157 million |
| Elvis Presley | 146.5 million |
| Eagles | 120 million |
| Willie Nelson | 70 million |
| Kenny Rogers | 50 million |
Garth Brooks holds the crown for country music sales, surpassing even Elvis Presley’s totals during his reign. Nashville legends Willie Nelson and Kenny Rogers highlight country music’s staying power over many decades.
R&B/Hip Hop
| Artist | Certified Units Sold |
| Michael Jackson | 84 million |
| Prince | 39.5 million |
| Mariah Carey | 64 million |
| Whitney Houston | 57 million |
| Eminem | 47.5 million |
R&B and hip hop sales reveal Michael Jackson’s appeal across genres, while showcasing other icons like Prince and Whitney Houston. Eminem stands above other rappers in terms of certified units moved.
Latin
| Artist | Certified Units Sold |
| Gloria Estefan | 100 million |
| Julio Iglesias | 100 million |
| Carlos Santana | 75 million |
| Shakira | 60 million |
| Enrique Iglesias | 40 million |
Latin music sales leaders demonstrate the genre’s energy, longevity, and diversity. Gloria Estefan and Julio Iglesias paved the way starting in the 1970s and 1980s. More recently, crossover stars Shakira and Enrique Iglesias have expanded the genre’s popularity.
How Have Record Sales Changed Over Time?
Understanding how music consumption has evolved over recent decades provides more insight into best-selling artists. Specifically, how has the rise of digital formats like CDs and downloads affected recording artists’ certified sales?
Vinyl Era Sales Leaders
Here are the top-selling artists worldwide during the height of vinyl record sales in the 1960s and 1970s:
| Artist | Sales (millions) |
| The Beatles | 600+ |
| Elvis Presley | 500+ |
| Michael Jackson | 350+ |
| Elton John | 300+ |
| Led Zeppelin | 300+ |
The Beatles pioneered the album format and ushered in the golden age of vinyl. Elvis Presley and Michael Jackson also moved unprecedented unit volumes in this era.
CD Era Sales Leaders
The rise of CDs from the 1980s onward allowed these artists to shatter previous records:
| Artist | Sales (millions) |
| Garth Brooks | 128 |
| The Beatles | 117 |
| Michael Jackson | 104 |
| Led Zeppelin | 76 |
| Pink Floyd | 75 |
Garth Brooks capitalized on the CD format to become the best-selling solo artist. Michael Jackson (Thriller, Bad) and classic rock bands (Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd) also sold tens of millions of the new digital discs.
Digital Era Sales Leaders
The 21st century brought new means of digital distribution via downloads and streaming. Top artists who leveraged these formats include:
| Artist | Sales (millions) |
| Drake | 143 |
| Rihanna | 125 |
| Taylor Swift | 114 |
| Eminem | 107 |
| Katy Perry | 101 |
Pop and hip hop stars like Drake, Rihanna, and Taylor Swift have tapped into massive digital consumption. Eminem stands out as a veteran with incredible digital era sales.
Conclusion
Examining all-time music sales leaders reveals several key findings:
- The Beatles reign supreme with nearly 184 million certified units sold. Their catalog keeps selling decade after decade.
- Garth Brooks is the best-selling solo artist thanks to dominating vinyl, CD, and digital formats over 30+ years.
- Michael Jackson combined his vinyl-era Off the Wall/Thriller success with more smash CDs in the 1980s and 1990s.
- Legacy rock bands like Eagles and Led Zeppelin sell huge numbers of albums and songs across the vinyl, CD, and digital eras.
- Digital consumption enables newer artists like Drake and Taylor Swift to sell tens of millions.
While fan tastes constantly evolve, standout artists with phenomenal talent and marketability join the ranks of the best-selling musicians.
In summary, meticulous tracking of certified unit sales reveals fascinating insights about audience preferences. Understanding which artists resonate widely over decades offers lessons for both music industry executives and aspiring artists alike. Raw sales totals quantify popularity and help to cement certain acts like The Beatles as cultural icons who appeal to generation after generation.