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This lists documents the world's best-selling music artists categorically and alphabetically. This information cannot be listed officially, as there is no organization that has recorded global music sales. This page lists those artists who have had claims made to be among the top sellers. Within their sales brackets, artists are listed in alphabetical order, rather than by number of records sold. Equal weight is given to album and single sales, as well as paid downloads. Sources are record labels, newspaper articles or manual addition of figures from various official sources. This means that these figures should be considered claims, not facts.

Constraints

Although the criteria for the following list are intended to be expansive (including comparisons for total sales for all recording artists) there are certain limitations and constraints that may limit the conclusions that can be derived from this data.

Such constraints include:

• Bias towards acts who have had success in a specific country or region.

• Bias towards older artists. There is now a broader genre spectrum of music to listen to now which limits the number of listeners.

• Bias towards modern artists. Comparatively fewer successful modern artists will have sold more records, as both global spending power and population have increased. In 1950, the world's population was 2.5 billion; by 2000 it had risen to 6 billion. Also, older artists suffer from bias as their record sales are less likely to have been accurately tracked, and estimates of their early sales are likely to be more vague.

• Bias towards older artists. Particularly, those artists who began their recording careers since 1990 may have experienced some loss in sales from illegal downloading of tracks.

• Fan sites, press articles, certification authorities and record companies have been known to inflate record sales claims.

• Inflated claims for artists who performed in different acts during their careers. Sometimes all of the sales data is attributed to an individual artist. For the purposes of this list, an effort is made to separate the individual acts (e.g., the sales figures for The Beatles and Paul McCartney & Wings are mutually exclusive).

• Inconsistencies between the sources of the various statistics. For example in some cases world sales are compared to US (RIAA certifies US sales only).

Artists by reputed sales

500 million records or more

200 million to 499 million records

100 million to 199 million records

75 million to 99 million records

50 million to 74 million records

References

1. Beatles Timeline - The End of The Beatles and Beyond 1969-present
2. Billboard.com - Biography - Bing Crosby
3. http://www.worldrecordsacademy.org/arts/most_successful_solo_artist_world_record_set_by_Elvis_Presley_70812.htm
4. tele.at - Das österreichische Programmmagazin: Fernsehen, Radio, Kino, Events und mehr
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6. "Back to roots for AC/DC". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2008-05-02.
7. rediff.com: A R Rahman: Composing a winning score
8. Former ABBA drummer found dead in garden Amol Rajan; msnbc; accessed 18 July 2008; claims 370 million
9. ABBA, The Book Potiez, Jean-Marie; 15 August 2005; accessed December 2006; claims 410 million records sold as of 2000
10. It's ABBA on the phone making a lot more money, money, money Sherwin, Adam; The Times; April 19, 2006; accessed December 2006; claims over 750 million
11. Britannica on Alla Pugacheva
12. D'elles. Sony BMG. Retrieved May 7 2007.
13. ITN - Cher gets ready to Turn Back Time
14. The Times on Cliff Richard
15. The Times on The Drifters
16. The Telegraph on Elton John
18. HELLO! The Iglesias dynasty
19. "Led Zeppelin brings down the house". CNN. December 10, 2007. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
20. "VH1 Welcomes the Return of the 'Third Annual UK Music Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony'". vh1.com. September 14, 2006. Retrieved 2006-09-21. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
21. The Local
22. The Telegraph
23. The Mail & Guardian
24. Bowman, Edith (2007-05-26). "BBC World Visionaries: Madonna Vs. Mozart". BBC News. Retrieved 2008-05-12. In 2000, Guinness World Records listed Madonna as the most successful female recording artist of all time.
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26. "IFPI Platinum Europe Awards: July & August 2006". IFPI News. 2006-09-13. Retrieved 2007-12-14.
27. Biographie de Nana Mouskouri
28. The Times-July 2006
29. BBC News release 2006
30. PR-Inside.com Entertainment News » ROYAL HONOUR FOR ROD STEWART
31. "Everything is turning to gold", Record sales of the Rolling Stones.
32. The liner notes of Marc: Songs from the Granada TV Series read, " Bolan, who has sold in the region of 200 million records with his group T.Rex, should generate a fair bit of excitement in Marc."
34. ]
35. Adriano Celentano wird 70 Auf der Straße zum Gluck - Kultur - sueddeutsche.de
37. (BEAT) : Backstreet Boys live at Rod Laver Arena
38. BBC NEWS | Entertainment | Obituary: Barry White
39. BBC NEWS | Entertainment | Billy Joel in Walk of Fame honour
40. Ozzy Osbourne, Prince of Darkness, Sharon Osbourne, Kelly Osbourne, Jack Osbourne, Amy Osbourne
41. http://www6.islandrecords.com/bonjovi/theband_bonjovi_bio.php - BonJovi.com: official band profile
42. Brenda Lee
43. BBC News | MUSIC | Aznavour leaves on high note
44. CNN.com - Review: Chicago box set captures band - Aug. 22, 2003
45. Une voix en or - Paris.fr
46. Lost in the Sixties » Dave Clark Five hurt by bad timing
47. David Bowie profile - biography of David Bowie
48. With Dire Straits no more, Knopfler sails solo, October 13, 2000
49. Mark Knopfler news, Terry Kilburn, August 31, 2000
50. To The Troops, From Dolly, Parton Pushes Patriotism To The Fore With Songs Old And New - CBS News
51. Hour on Donna Summer
52. Duane Eddy
53. The Eagles : Rolling Stone
55. The Times on Engelbert Humperdinck
56. BBC NEWS | Entertainment | Domino 'shaken' by storm ordeal
57. Fleetwood Mac: Biography : Rolling Stone
58. AFP on Frankie Vallie and the Four Seasons
59. RIAA
60. Songwriters Hall of Fame
61. BBC.com Michael seeking 'a quieter life'
63. BBC NEWS | Entertainment | Profile: Johnny Hallyday
64. ADVISORY/Recording Academy's Florida Chapter Honors Chris Blackwell, Harry Wayne Casey, Mack Emerman and Olga Guillot; 2001 Heroes Awards Takes Place in Miami Beach on June 11 | Business Wire | Find Articles at BNET.com
65. CNN - Kenny Rogers, gambling again - October 7, 1999
66. The Times on Lionel Richie
67. BBC NEWS | Entertainment | Music | Pavarotti recovers from surgery
68. | Mariah Carey | music
69. JRT Shikoku Broadcasting
70. Oricon
71. goo
72. Shuichi Maruyama WEBSITE
73. Mon Credo - The Israeli Mireille Mathieu fansite
74. DSDS Neues ''Modern Talking'' mit Medlock und Bohlen - Panorama - sueddeutsche.de
75. Billboard.com - Biography - Neil Diamond
76. The Malaysia Star on The Osmonds
77. At 71, Patti Page still is a 'Singing Rage': 2/17/99
78. BBC News | AMERICAS | Crooner Perry Como dies
80. Songwriters Hall of Fame
82. CNN.com - Transcripts
83. The Times on Status Quo
84. The LA Times on Stevie Wonder
85. SOHU.com May 6, 2003
86. Cher and Tina Turner to Tape a Special Oprah Show in Las Vegas
87. Nyet! The Madonna of Moscow says our pop stars are rubbish - Europe, News - Independent.co.uk
88. Seattle Times on The Ventures
89. Watertown Daily Times on Village People
90. The New York Times on The Who
91. M, Peter (2008-04-27). "Morten Harket - new album by the a-ha singer". Berlinista. Retrieved 2008-06-10.
92. The Scotsman on Annie Lennox
93. The Andrews Sisters - Inductees - The Vocal Group Hall of Fame Foundation
94. { . . f a v o r e d . n a t i o n s . . }
95. Barry Manilow News on Yahoo! Music
96. Bobby Vinton Blue Velvet Theatre: About Bobby
97. Zomba Label Group - Jive Records - LaFace Records - News
98. BBC NEWS | Entertainment | Latin honours for Carlos Santana
100. The Doors Target Digital Generation - Technology News by TechWeb
101. allmusic ((( Larry Dunn > Overview )))
102. allmusic ((( Eddy Arnold > Overview )))
103. The Independent on Eurythmics
105. [http://www.90millas.com/ ]
106. Axl Rose shoots for a Guns N' Roses comeback
107. Country Music Roots: Hank Snow
108. 詳細情報 (図書)
109. What Records - Sales
110. Dreyfus Records - News - The Jean Michel Jarre Collection
111. Smooth Jazz News Cover Story
113. Tarabu Music Store México, EsMas.com property of Televisa
114. Metallica
115. Mina la camaleontica, Mina la solitaria Arcobaleno
116. Peter Wolf
117. "75 million sold copies". popmatters.com. Retrieved 2007-10-29.
118. Cher's biography
120. Alanis Morisette Sales Number
121. Alice Cooper - Bio of Alice Cooper - Alice Cooper Lives in Phoenix
122. allmusic ((( André Kostelanetz > Biography )))
123. The Times on Andrea Bocelli
124. Calendar of Events - do toledo
125. Sports Hochi April 9, 2008
126. RIAA
127. Lamar State College - Port Arthur
128. Richard Move :: Move-It Productions
129. Bob Dylan - Britannica Online Encyclopedia
130. GRANHOLM - Bob Seger Day
131. Boston Biography
132. Save The Music 2002 , Foreigner Performs To Save The Music - CBS News
133. "Top Selling Artists", RIAA website. Date uncertain. Accessed 2008-09-04.
134. Bryan Adams
135. Knx - *
137. Vail Colorado-Todays information & news from Vail Daily - Arts and Entertainment
138. BLABBERMOUTH.NET - DEF LEPPARD: Upcoming TV Appearances Detailed
139. Sports Hochi July 7,2007
140. BARKS
141. Yahoo! Japan
142. About the Diamonds 50's and 60's Golden Oldies from Little Darlin's Music Works
143. The Doobie Brothers - Greatest Hits - Release Date: 19th July 2004
144. Duran Duran To Get Brit Award Honor
145. Eminem Strikes Worldwide Publishing DealArticle Date: 11/16/2007
146. Payton, Lawrence - Britannica Online Encyclopedia
147. SPURS: It's "True": George Strait To Perform First Concert At New SBC Center
149. The Times on Jay-Z
150. 森進一公式ホームページ
151. The Times on Kylie Minogue
152. Meatloaf
153. The Ledger Independent on Michael Bolton
154. Piqua's Mills Brothers sold 50 million records
156. MSNBC on Mötley Crüe
157. ミスチル、シングル＆アルバム総売上枚数5,000万枚突破！ ニュース-ORICON STYLE
158. BBC - Radio 2 - Sold On Song - Song Library - Let There Be Love
159. Dictionary Cravo Albin of the Brazilian Popular Music
160. LiveDaily] on New Kids On The Block
161. Nirvana News on Yahoo! Music
162. Pearlman's Money Woes Follow Him Downtown
163. Self-Titled Pearl Jam Album Gets Release Date
164. ABS CBN News on Petula Clark
165. Britt, Bruce (October 5, 2006). ""Stadium Set Keeps Chili Peppers Red Hot"". BMI.com. Retrieved 2007-10-02. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
166. "Red Hot Chili Peppers Release Double Album Stadium Arcadium". Contact Music. Retrieved 2007-10-03.
167. "Red Hot Chili Peppers' "Stadium Arcadium," a 28-Song Double CD, to Be Released May 9". News Blaze. Retrieved 2007-10-08.
168. BBC NEWS | Entertainment | Police fan bands go on patrol
169. allmusic ((( Ray Conniff > Overview )))
170. Reba McEntire
171. "Ricky Martin: Artist Bio". myplay.com.
172. Th Times on Robbie Williams
174. Shakira’s Songs Are the Heart of Her Success
175. BBC News | ENTERTAINMENT | Radio star Whale recovering
176. BBC NEWS | Entertainment | Spice Girls announce reunion tour
177. : Ask Professor Flo :
178. The Times on UB40

• Best sellers
• Lists of musicians