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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).
The world's best-selling music artists cannot be listed officially, as there is no body that has recorded global music sales in the manner that the ] does in the United States. This page lists those artists who have made reasonable claims to be amongst the top sellers.


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 Misplaced Pages editors are working hard to make sure this list is as accurate as possible.
Within their sales-bands, artists are listed in alphabetical order, rather than by number of records sold. Equal weight is given to ] and ] sales, as well as paid ]s. Sources are typically fan sites, record labels, newspaper articles or manual addition of figures from various offical sources. This means that these figures should be considred ''claims'', not ''facts''.


{| class="wikitable"
==World's biggest seller==
!# !! Name !! Albums !! align="center" | Worldwide Sales !! Nationality !! Years Active !! Genre !! Source
{{Seemain|Best-selling artist of all time}}


|- align="center"
The actual biggest selling musician in the world will probably never be known. Records of sales in many countries, particularly in the ], are poor and date back less than 20 years. ], ] and ] are all, however, regularly cited as being the top sellers. Less common claims are made for ] and ].
| | 1 || align="left" |] || || align="right" | 10,000,000,000 ||] ||90-00s (1995-) || Punjabi Rock ||

|- align="center"
==Artists claimed to have sold 250 million records or more==
| | 2 || align="left" |] || || align="right" | 1,000,000,000 ||] ||60-70s (1960-1975) || Rock ||
:{| class="wikitable"
|- align="center"
! Name !! Nationality !! Years Active !! Genre !! Source
| 3 || align="left" |] || 14 || align="right" | ~300,000,000 <!--Please go to the discussion page for debates/disputes about this artist's sales--> || ] || 70s-00s (1979-) || R&B/Pop/Rock <!--Only the artists main genres should be noted here--> ||
|-
]
| ] || ] || 70s-80s (1974-1982) || Pop ||
]
See also: Discussion #1
|-
|- align="center"
|] || ] || 60-70s, 90s || Pop/Rock || Guinness estimate
| 4 || align="left" |] || 16 || align="right" | ~275,000,000 <!--200mil albums and 75mil singles.-->|| ] || 80s-00s (1983-) || Rock/Pop ||
|-
]
|] || ] || 1926-1977 || Pop ||
|-
|- align="center"
|] || ] || 60s- (1959-) || Pop ||
| 5 || align="left" |] || 450 || align="right" | ~250,000,000 || ] || 60s-00s (1959-) || Pop ||
|- align="center"
|-
|] || ] ||1969- || R&B/Rock/Pop|| | 6 || align="left" |] || 60+|| align="right" | 250,000,000 || ] || 50s-00s (1959-2005) || Rock/Pop ||
|- align="center"
|-
|] || ] || 60s-80s (1968-1980)|| Rock || | 7 || align="left" |] || 54 || align="right" | ~230,000,000 || ] || 60s-00s (1964-1981) || Rock || 60.5 million in the US
|- align="center"
|-
| 8 || align="left" |] || 14 || align="right" | ~230,000,000 || ] || 90s-00s (1990-) || R&B/Pop || ]
|] || ] ||50s-70s || Rock, Country ||
]
|- align="center"
|-
| |] || ] || 70s-00s (1976-) || Rock/Pop|| | 9 || align="left" |] || 43 || align="right" | ~220,000,000 || ] || 70s-00s (1972-1976,1989-1991,1997-) || Rock/Pop ||
|- align="center"
|-
|] || ] || 50s- (1958-2005) || Rock/Pop || | 10 || align="left" |] || 21 || align="right" | ~220,000,000 || ] || 80s-00s (1990-) || Rock/Pop ||
]
|-
See also: Discussion #1
| ] || ] || 1939-1995 || Vocal ||
|- align="center"
| 11 || align="left" | ] || 21 || align="right" | ~200,000,000 || ] || 60s-00s (1970-1983,1994-1995) || Rock || 73 Mil US ||
|-
|- align="center"
|}
| 12 || align="left" |] || 19 || align="right" | 200,000,000+ <!-- It's very unlikely that Led Zeppelin sold just as much singles as they did albums (200m) as they were an AOR artist.--> || ] || 60s-70s (1969-1979)|| Rock ||

See also: Discussion #1
==Artists claimed to have sold 100 million records or more==
|- align="center"
{{inc-musong}}
| 13 || align="left" |] ||10||align="right"|~200,000,000|| ] || 80's-00's (1991-1997) || Metal || 57 mil US ||
:{| class="wikitable"
|- align="center"
! Name !! Nationality !! Years Active !! Genre !! Source
| 14 || align="left" |] || 80 || align="right" | ~200,000,000 || ] || 70s-00s (1969-) || Latino Pop ||
|-
|- align="center"
| ] || ]/]|| 70s-00s (1980-1992) || Rock ||
| 15 || align="left" |] || 10 || align="right" | ~180,000,000 || ] || 80s-00s (1985-2000) || R&B/Pop || ]
|- align="center"
| 16 || align="left" |] || 22 || align="right" | ~160,000,000 || ] || 70s-00s (1975-1995) || Rock ||
]
See also: discussion #11
|- align="center"
| 17 || align="left" |] || 30 || align="right" | ~160,000,000 || ]/]|| 70s-00s (1980-1992) || Rock || ]
]
|-
|- align="center"
| ] || ] || 70s-00s (1973-1998) || Rock ||
| 18 || align="left" |] || 26 || align="right" | 160,000,000 || ] || 70s-80s (1974-1982) || Rock || ]
|-
|- align="center"
| ] || ] || || Country ||
| 19 || align="left" |] || 11 || align="right" | ~150,000,000 || ] || 80s-00s (1983-) || Rock || 50.5m.US
|-
|- align="center"
| ] || ] || 50s-00s|| Pop ||
| 20 || align="left" |] || 28 || align="right" | 150,000,000 || ] || 60s-80s (1969-1980) || R&B/Pop || 71m.US
|-
|- align="center"
| ] || ] ||70s-00s || Rock ||
| 21 || align="left" |] || 16 || align="right" | ~145,000,000 || ] || 80s-00s (1989-2001)|| Country || 105m.US
|-
|- align="center"
| ] || ] || 80s-00s (1986-2000) || Rock ||
| 22 ||align="left" | ] || 11 || align="right" | 130,000,000 || ] || 80s-00s (1986-) || R&B/Pop || ]
|-
|- align="center"
| ] || ] || 60s-00s (1969-2004) || Rock ||
| 23 ||align="left" | ] || 15 || align="right" | ~120,000,000 || ] || 70s-00s (1974-1979)|| Rock || 89 million in US
|-
|- align="center"
| ] || ] || 80s-00s (1989-2001)|| Country ||
| 24 || align="left" |] (韦唯) || || align="right" | ~120,000,000 || ] || 80s-00s (1986-) || Pop ||
|-
|- align="center"
| ] || ] || 90's (1990-) || Pop/R&B/ ||
| 25 ||align="left" | ] || 29 || align="right" | 110,000,000 || ]/] || 60s-00s (1975-1979) || Rock || ]
|-
|- align="center"
| ] || ] || 60s-00s (1967-) || Rock ||
| 26 ||align="left" | ] || 13 || align="right" | ~110,000,000 || ] || 80s-00s (1986-2000) || Rock || ]
|-
|- align="center"
| ] || ] || 80s-00s (1981-1998) ||Rock ||
| 27 ||align="left" | ] || 17 || align="right" | ~110,000,000 || ] || 80s-00s (1991-) || Rock ||]
|-
|- align="center"
| ] || ] || 30s-00s || Vocal ||
| 28 ||align="left" | ] || 43 || align="right" | 105,000,000+ || ] ||60s-00s (1977-1983) ||Rock ||
|-
| ] || ] || 60s-80s || Rock 'n' Roll ||
|-
| ] || ] || 80s-00s (1990-) || Rock/Pop ||
|-
| ] || ] || 90-00s || Sophisticated pop ||
|-
| ] || ]/] ||60s-00s (1975-1990) || Rock ||
|-
| ] || ] ||70s-00s (1980-1997) || Rock ||
|-
| ] || ] || 50s-00s|| Pop ||
|-
| ] || ] || 80s-00s (1985-2000) || R&B/Pop ||
|-
| ] || ] || 80s-00s (1986-) || R&B/Pop ||
|-
| ] || ] || 50s-60s || Traditional Pop ||
|-
| ] || ] || 70s-00s (1969-) || Latino Pop ||
|-
| ] || ] || 70s-00s (1978-1983,1989-1993) || Rock ||
|-
| ] || ] || 70s-00s (1972-1976,1989-1991,1997-) || Rock/Pop ||
|-
|] || ] ||1944-2006 || Jazz/Pop/Gospel/Country ||
|-
| ] || ] ||1965 - 2006 || Pop/Rock/International ||
|-
| ] || ] || 50s-60s (1958-1963) || Pop/Country ||
|-
|] || ] || 80s-90s-00s- || Rock/Pop ||
|-
| ] || ] || 60s-00s || Pop ||
|-
| ] || ] || 50s-00s || Pop/Standards ||
|-
| ] || ] || 80s-00s || Rock ||
|-
| ] || ] || 80s-00s (1985-1987,1998-2003) || Pop ||
|-
| ] || ] || 50s-80s (1958-1961) || Pop/Country/Rock ||
|-
| ] || ] || 40s-2000s || Pop/Country/Rock ||
|-
| ] || ] || 60s-00s (1981-1983)|| Country ||
|-
| ] || ] || 60s-00s (1972-) || Opera ||
|-
| ] || ] || 60s-00s (1965-1983,1994-1995) || Progressive Rock ||
|-
| ] || ] || 70s-00s (1975-1995) || Rock ||
|-
| ] || ] || 90s-00s (1992-) || Indian Film Music ||
|-
| ] || ] || 80s-00s (1981-1985) || R&B ||
|-
| ] || ] ||60s-00s (1977-1983) ||Country ||
|- align="center"
|-
| ] || ] || 60s-00s || Rock/Pop || | 29 ||align="left" | ] || 27 || align="right" | 100,000,000+ || ] ||70s-00s || Metal ||
|- align="center"
|-
| ] || ] || 60s-00s (1964-1981) || Rock || | 30 ||align="left" | ] || 56 || align="right" | 100,000,000+ || ] || 60s-00s (1963-1980) || popular || 70.5 million in US
|- align="center"
|-
|- align="center"
| ] || ] || 70s-90s (1977-1983) || ]||
| 31 || align="left" |] || 37 || align="right" | ~100,000,000 || ] || 60s-00s || Pop || ]
|-
|- align="center"
| ]||]/] || 60s-00s (1975-1979) || Rock ||
| 32 || align="left" |] || 15 || align="right" | ~100,000,000 || ] || 70s-00s (1976-) || Rock/Pop|| *(10m.US)
|-
|- align="center"
| ] || ] || 70s-00s (1974-1979)|| Rock ||
| 33 || align="left" |] || || align="right" | ~100,000,000 || ] || 50s-00s || Pop/Standards || ]
|-
|- align="center"
| ] || ] || 30s-50s || Big Band ||
| 34 ||align="left" | ] || || align="right" | ~100,000,000 || ] || 50s-80s (1958-1961) || Pop/Country/Rock || '''Note''': no references given here
|-
|- align="center"
| ] || ] || 60s-80s (1969-1988) || R&B,Pop,Disco ||
| 35 ||align="left" | ] || || align="right" | ~100,000,000 || ] || 60s-00s (1972-) || Opera ||
|-
|- align="center"
| ] || ] || 80s-00s (1980-) || Rock ||
| 36 ||align="left" | ] || || align="right" | ~100,000,000 || ] || 50s-60s (1958-1963) || Pop/Country ||'''Note''': No references given here
|-
|- align="center"
| ] || ] || 70s-00s || Pop/R&B/Disco ||
| 37 ||align="left" | ] || 750+ || align="right" | ~100,000,000 || ] || 70s-00s (1982-) || Classical ||
|-
| ] || ] || 80s-00s (1986-) || Pop || | 38 ||align="left" | ] || 92 || align="right" | ~100,000,000 || ] || 90s-00s (1992-) || Classical ||
|- align="center"
|-
| 40 ||align="left" | ] || 45 || align="right" | ~150,000,000 || ] || 60s-00s (1971-1972) || Rock ||
|}
|- align="center"

| 41 ||align="left" | ] || 8 || align="right" | ~100,000,000 || ] || 80s-00s (1981-1985) || R&B || 21.0 mililion in US
==Artists claimed to have sold 50 million records or more==
{{inc-musong}}
:{| class="wikitable" |- align="center"
| 42 ||align="left" | ] || || align="right" | ~100,000,000 || ] || 60s-00s (1981-1983)|| Country || '''Note''': this artist is '''not''' listed by RIAA as one of the 200 best selling artists in US See also: discussion #15
! Name !! Nationality !! Years Active !! Genre !! Source
|- align="center"
|-
| 43 ||align="left" | ] || 29 || align="right" | ~100,000,000 || ] || 70s-90s (1977-1983) || ]|| ]
| ] || ] || 60s-00s || ||
|- align="center"
|-
| ] || ] || 80s-00s || Pop/Rock || | 44 ||align="left" | ] || 28 || align="right" | ~100,000,000 || ] || 70s-00s (1993-1998) || Rock ||
|- align="center"
|-
| ] || ] || 80s-00s (1985-1993,2000-) || Pop || | 45 ||align="left" | ] || 24 || align="right" | ~100,000,000 || ] || 70s-00s (1978-1983,1989-1993) || Rock || 78 mil.US,
|- align="center"
| 46 ||align="left" | ] || 43 || align="right" | ~100,000,000 || ]/] ||60s-00s (1975-1990) || Rock ||
|-
|- align="center"
| ] || ] || 70s-00s|| Country ||
| 47 ||align="left" | ] || || align="right" | ~100,000,000 || ] || 50s-00s|| Pop || ]
|-
|- align="center"
| ] || ] || 50s-00s || Pop ||
| 48 ||align="left" | ] || || align="right" | ~100,000,000 || ] || 50s-00s|| Pop ||
|-
|- align="center"
| ] || ] || 40s-90s || Country ||
| 49 ||align="left" | ] || 6 || align="right" | ~90,000,000+ || ] || 90s-00s (1999-2000) || Rock || ]
|-
|- align="center"
| ] || ] || 20s-30s || Pop/Crooner ||
| 50 ||align="left" | ] || 21 || align="right" | ~90,000,000 || ] || 70s-00s (1980-1995,2002-)|| Rock || *(61 mil. albums US)
|-
|- align="center"
| ] || ] || 80s-00s|| Rock/Pop ||
| 51 ||align="left" | ] || 14 || align="right" | ~90,000,000 || ] || 80s-00s (1987-1988) || Rock|| 55.5mil.US
|-
|- align="center"
| ] || ] || 90s-00s (1999-2000,2005-) || Pop ||
| 52 ||align="left" | ] || 50 || align="right" | ~90,000,000 || ] || 60s-00s (1965-1976) || Rock || *35m.US,
|-
|- align="center"
| ] || ] || 70s (1974-1976) || Pop/Rock ||
| 53 ||align="left" | ] || 30 || align="right" | 90,000,000 || ] || 70s-00s (1975) ||R&B/Funk/Disco/Pop || *(23 mil.US) '''Note''': No references given here for 90 million WW figure
|-
|- align="center"
| ] || ] || 50s-00s || Standards/Jazz ||
| 54 ||align="left" | ] || 30 || align="right" | ~90,000,000 || ] || 70s-00s || Rock ||
|-
|- align="center"
| ] || ] || 80s-00s || Pop ||
| 55 ||align="left" | ] || 14 || align="right" | ~86,000,000 || ] || 90s-00s (1989-) || Rock ||See also: discussion #22
|-
|- align="center"
| ] || ] || 80s-00s ||R&B/Pop||
| 56 ||align="left" | ] || || align="right" | 85,000,000 || ] || 40s-90s || Country ||
|-
|- align="center"
| ] || ] || 60s-00s || Pop ||
| 57 ||align="left" | ] || 24 || align="right" | ~85,000,000 || ] || 70s-00s (1988-1992) ||Metal || *(32 mil. US), ]
|-
|- align="center"
| ] || ] || 60s-00s || ||
| 58 ||align="left" | ] || || align="right" | ~80,000,000 || ] || 80s-00s (1984-1986,1998-)|| Eurodance ||
|-
|- align="center"
| ] || ] || 30s-00s || Country ||
| 59 ||align="left" | ] || 19 || align="right" | ~80,000,000 || ] || 70s-00s (1976-1978) || Synth Pop || See also: discussion #19
|-
|- align="center"
| ] || ] || 30s-60s|| Jazz ||
| 60 ||align="left" | ] || 54 || align="right" | ~80,000,000 || ] ||60s-00s (1970-1972,1999-) || Rock ||]
|-
|- align="center"
| ] || ] || 50s-80s (1956-1987) || ||
| 61 ||align="left" | ] || || align="right" | ~80,000,000 || ] || 50s-80s (1956-1987) || || ] See also: discussion #19
|-
|- align="center"
| ] || ] || 80s-80s (1987-1988) || Rock||
| 62 ||align="left" | ] || || align="right" | ~80,000,000 || ] || 60s-00s || ||
|-
|- align="center"
| ] || ] || 60s-00s ||Rock ||
| 63 ||align="left" | ] || || align="right" | ~80,000,000 || ] || 60s-00s || Traditional Arab, Modern, Pop || *(35 mil. US)
|-
|- align="center"
| ] || ] || 80s-00s) || Rock ||
| 64 ||align="left" | ] || 41 || align="right" | ~80,000,000 || ] || 80s-00s (1992-1995) || Rock || *(38 mil. US)
|-
|- align="center"
| ] || ] || 80s-00s (1981-Present) || Pop/Rock ||
| 65 ||align="left" | ] || 25 || align="right" | ~80,000,000 || ] || 60s-00s (1972-1985) || R&B ||
|-
|- align="center"
| ] || ] || 60s-70s (1965-1976) || Folk/Rock ||
| 66 ||align="left" | ] || || align="right" | ~80,000,000 || ] || 30's-90's || Folk ||
|-
|- align="center"
| ] || ] || 70s-00s (1975) ||R&B/Funk/Disco/Pop ||
| 67 ||align="left" | ] || 5 || align="right" | 76,000,000 || ] || 90s-00s (1999-) || Pop ||
|-
|- align="center"
| ] || ] || 80s-00s (1988-1991) || New Age/Celtic ||
| 68 ||align="left" | ] || 3 || align="right" | ~76,000,000 || ] || 90s-00s (1996-2000) || Pop || ]
|-
|- align="center"
| ] || ] ||90s-00s (1996-) ||Rap || ]
| 69 ||align="left" | ] || 27 || align="right" | ~75,000,000 || ] || 70s-00s (1981) || Rock/Pop || 40mil.US,
|-
|- align="center"
| ]|| ] || 80s-00s (1988-1991) || Latin Pop ||
| 70 ||align="left" | ] || 41 || align="right" | ~75,000,000+ || ] || 60s-00s (1970-1989) || Rock || '''Note''': no reference given here
|-
|- align="center"
| ] || ]/] ||70s-90s || Rock/Pop ||
| 71 ||align="left" | ] || 13 || align="right" | 74,000,000 || ] || 80s-00s (1981-2005) || Rock ||
|-
|- align="center"
| ] || ] || 70s-00s || Rock ||
| 72 ||align="left" | ] || 6 || align="right" | ~73,000,000 || ] || 90s-00s (1999-) || Country/Pop ||'''Note''': No references given here
|-
|- align="center"
| ] || ] || 70s-00s (1976-1978) || Synth Pop ||
| 73 ||align="left" | ] || 28 || align="right" | ~70,000,000 || ] || 80s-00s (1993-1997) || Rock ||'''Note''': No references given here
|-
|- align="center"
| ] || ] || 70s-00s (1981) || Rock/Pop ||
| 74 ||align="left" | ] || 10 || align="right" | 70,000,000 || ] || 80s-00s (1985-1993,2000-) || Pop ||
|-
|- align="center"
| ] || ] || 70s-00s || Rock ||
| 75 ||align="left" | ] || || align="right" | 70,000,000 || ] || 60s-80s (1970-1975) || Pop/Rock || reference needed
|-
|- align="center"
| ] || ] || 70s-00s|| Classic ||
| 76 ||align="left" | ]|| || align="right" | ~70,000,000 || ] || 80s-00s (1988-1991) || Latino Pop || ],
|-
|- align="center"
| ] || ] || 90s-00s|| ||
| 77 ||align="left" | ] || 5 || align="right" | 70,000,000 || ] || 80s-00s (1988-1991) || New Age/Celtic || '''Note''': No references given here for WW figure
|-
|- align="center"
| ] || ] || 70s-00s || Pop/Standards ||
| 78 ||align="left" | ] || || align="right" | ~70,000,000 || ] || 60s-00s || ||
|-
|- align="center"
| ] || ] || 70s || Reggae ||
| 79 ||align="left" | ] || || align="right" | ~70,000,000 || ] || 60s-00s || Country || ]
|-
|- align="center"
| ] || ] || 70s-00s||Rock ||
| 80 ||align="left" | ] || || align="right" | ~70,000,000 || ] || 70s-00s (1974-1976) || Pop/Rock ||
|-
|- align="center"
| ] || ] || 80s-00s || Latin Pop ||
| 81 ||align="left" | ] || 14 || align="right" | ~70,000,000 || ] || 70s-00s (1984-1996) || Rock ||
|-
|- align="center"
| ] || ] || 80s-00s || Pop ||
| 82 ||align="left" | ] || || align="right" | 65,000,000 || ] || 80s-00s (1987-1994,2000-) || Pop || ]
|-
|- align="center"
| ] || ] || 90s-00s || Rock ||
| 83 ||align="left" | ] || || align="right" | ~65,000,000 || ] || 70s-00s|| Country || *54 mil. US
|-
| ] || ] || 70s-00s|| Country/Pop || |- align="center"| ||align="left" | ] || || align="right" | ~60,000,000 || ] || 70s-00s || Pop/R&B/Disco ||
|- align="center"
|-
| 84 ||align="left" | ] || || align="right" | 65,000,000 || ] ||90s-00s (2000-) ||Rap || *(22 mil. US)
| ] || ] ||80s-90s (1987–1994) ||Grunge ||
|- align="center"
|-
| ] || ] || 90s-00s ||Grunge || | 85 ||align="left" | ] || || align="right" | 60,000,000+ || ] || 90s-00s (1994-) || Rap ||
|- align="center"
|-
| ] || ] || 60s-00s (1980-) ||Rock, Pop, Country || | 86 ||align="left" | ] || || align="right" | 60,000,000 || ] ||70s-00s (1980-1997) || Rock || ]||
|- align="center"
|-
| 87 ||align="left" | ] || || align="right" | ~60,000,000 || ] || 80s-00s (1981-1998) ||Rock || ]
| ] || ] ||60s-00s (1970-1972,1999-) || Rock ||
|- align="center"
|-
| 88 ||align="left" | ] || 8 || align="right" | ~60,000,000 || ] || 80s-90s (1987-1991) || Rock || ]
| ] || ] || 90s-00s (1999-) || Pop ||
|- align="center"
|-
| ] || ] || 70s-00s (1980-1995,2002-)|| Rock || | 89 ||align="left" | ] || 30 || align="right" | ~60,000,000 || ] || 60s-80s (1972-1975) || Rock ||
|- align="center"
|-
| 90 ||align="left" | ] || 400+ || align="right" | ~150,000,000+ || ] || 60s-00s || Pop || Greek gvt,official culture award 2003.
| ] || ] || 70s-00s|| Country ||
|- align="center"
|-
| ] || ] || 60s-00s (1963-1980) || Pop || | 91 ||align="left" | ] || || align="right" | ~60,000,000 || ] || 80s-00s || Pop/Rock ||
|- align="center"
|-
| 92 ||align="left" | ] || || align="right" | ~60,000,000 || ] || 60s-70s|| Rock ||*(30 mil. US)
| ] || ] || 30's-90's || Folk ||
|- align="center"
|-
| 93 ||align="left" | ] || || align="right" | ~60,000,000 || ] || 70s-00s|| R&B ||
| ] || ] || 60s-80s (1970-1975) || Pop/Rock ||
|- align="center"
|-
| 94 ||align="left" | ] || || align="right" | ~60,000,000 || ] || 30s-00s || Vocal ||
| ] || ] || 70s-00s || Rock ||
|- align="center"
|-
| 95 ||align="left" | ] || || align="right" | ~60,000,000 || ] || 40s-90s || Vocal || *(25 mil.US)
| ] || ] || 60s-70s|| Rock ||
|- align="center"
|-
| 96 ||align="left" | ] || || align="right" | ~60,000,000 || ] || 60s || Rock || *(36mil.US)
| ] || ] || 70s-80s || Rock ||
|- align="center"
|-
| 97 ||align="left" | ] || || align="right" | ~60,000,000 || ] || 90s-00s ||Alternative || *(29 mil. US)
| ] || ] || 60s, 90s-00s || Rock/Pop/Folk ||
|- align="center"
|-
| ] || ] || 50s-00s (1959-)|| Rock || | 98 ||align="left" | ] || || align="right" | ~60,000,000 || ] || 60s-00s ||Rock ||
|- align="center"
|-
| 99 ||align="left" | ] || || align="right" | ~60,000,000 || ] || 60s-90s || Rock ||
| ] || ] || 40s-00s || Country ||
|- align="center"
|-
| 100 ||align="left" | ] || || align="right" | ~60,000,000 || ] || 40s-00s || Country ||'''Note''': no reference provided
| ] || ] || 60s-70s || Rock ||
|- align="center"
|-
| ] || ] || 90s (1991-1996) || Rap || | 101 ||align="left" | ] || || align="right" | 60,000,000+ || ] || 70s-00s || Pop/Standards ||
|- align="center"
|-
| ] || ] || 70s-00s|| R&B || | 102 ||align="left" | ] || || align="right" | ~60,000,000 || ] || 80s-00s ||R&B/Pop|| *(27mil.US),
|- align="center"
|-
| ] || ] || 90s-00s (1999-) || Country/Pop || | 103 ||align="left" | ] || || align="right" | ~60,000,000 || ] || 50s-00s || Pop ||
|- align="center"
|-
| 104 ||align="left" | ] || || align="right" | ~55,000,000 || ] || 90s-00s || Rock || ]
| ] || ] || 80s-00s (1980-) || Reggae ||
|- align="center"
| 105 ||align="left" | ] || 4 || align="right" | 55,000,000+ || ] || 90s-00s || R&B|| ]
|-
|- align="center"
| ] || ] || 70s-00s (1984-1996) || Rock ||
| 106 ||align="left" | ] || || align="right" | *53,000,000 || ] || 70s-80s || Rock || 22m.US,
|-
|- align="center"
| ] || ] || 60s-00s (1972-1985) || R&B ||
| 107 ||align="left" | ] || || align="right" | *52,000,000 || ] ||80s-90s ||Rock || 24m.US
|-
|- align="center"
|}
| 108 ||align="left" | ] || || align="right" | 52,000,000 || ] || 80s-00s || Pop ||

|- align="center"
==See also==
| 109 ||align="left" | ] || || align="right" | 55,000,000 || ] || 80s-00s || Latin Pop ||
*]
|- align="center"
*]
| 110 ||align="left" | ] || || align="right" | 52,000,000 || ] || 70s-00s|| Classic || ]

|- align="center"
]
| 111 ||align="left" | ] || || align="right" | ~51,000,000 || ] || 50s-00s || Standards/Jazz ||
|- align="center"
| 112 ||align="left" | ] || || align="right" | *~50,000,000 || ] || 70s-00s|| Country || 46m.US
|- align="center"
| 113 ||align="left" | ] || 4 || align="right" | ~50,000,000 || ] || || Country ||
|- align="center"
| 114 ||align="left" | ] || || align="right" | *~50,000,000 || ] || 80s-00s ||Rock || 22m.US,
|- align="center"
| 115 ||align="left" | ] || || align="right" | *~50,000,000 || ]/] ||70s-90s || Rock/Pop || 36m.US
|- align="center"
| 116 ||align="left" | ] || || align="right" | ~57,000,000 || ] || 90s-00s || Rock || ]
|- align="center"
| 117 ||align="left" | ] || || align="right" | ~50,000,000 || ] || 70s-00s||Rock || ]
|- align="center"
| 118 ||align="left" | ] || || align="right" | ~50,000,000 || ] || 70s-00s|| Country/Pop ||
|- align="center"
| 119 ||align="left" | ] || || align="right" | ~50,000,000 || ] || 80s-00s ||Alternative|| '''Note''': this artist is NOT listed as one of the 200 best-selling artists by RIAA
|- align="center"
| 120 ||align="left" | ] || || align="right" | ~50,000,000 || ] || || Country ||
|- align="center"
| 121 ||align="left" | ] || || align="right" | ~50,000,000 || ] || 30s-60s|| Jazz ||
|- align="center"
| 122 ||align="left" | ] || || align="right" | ~50,000,000 || ] || 60s, 90s-00s || Rock/Pop/Folk ||
|- align="center"
| 123 ||align="left" | ] || || align="right" | ~50,000,000 || ] || 70s-00s || Rock || 50mil.US
|- align="center"
| 124 ||align="left" | ] || || align="right" | ~50,000,000 || ] || 60s-70s || Rock || ]
|- align="center"
| 125 ||align="left" | ] || || align="right" | ~50,000,000 || ] || 70s-00s|| Rock ||
|- align="center"
| 126 ||align="left" | ] || || align="right" | ~50,000,000 || ] || 70s-90s|| || ]
|- align="center"
| 127 ||align="left" | ] || || align="right" | ~50,000,000 || ] || 90s-00s|| || ]
|- align="center"
| 128 ||align="left" | ] || || align="right" | ~50,000,000 || ] || 90s-00s || Pop/Dance ||
|- align="center"
| 129 || align = "left" |] || || align="right" | ~500,000,000 || ] || 60s-00s || Rock || ]
|- align="center"
| 130 ||align="left" | ] || || align="right" | 48,000,000 || ] || 70s-00s || Country ||
|- align="center"
| 131 ||align="left" | ] (劉德華) || || align="right" | 48,000,000 || ] || 80s-00s || Country ||
|- align="center"
| 132 ||align="left" | ] || || align="right" | 46,000,000 || ] || 90s-00s || J-Pop || ]
|- align="center"
| 133 ||align="left" | ] || || align="right" | 46,000,000 || ] || 50s-00s || IRS ||
|- align="center"
|- align="center"
| 134 ||align="left" | ] || || align="right" | 45,000,000 || ] || 80s-00s ||Pop || ]
|- align="center"
| 135 ||align="left" | ] || || align="right" | ~48,000,000 || ] || 90s || Rap || *(38mil.US)
|- align="center"
| 136 ||align="left" | ] || || align="right" | ~45,000,000 || ] || 80s-00s|| Pop/Rock/Dance ||
|- align="center"
| 137 ||align="left" | ] |||| align="right" | 45,000,000 || ] || 70s-00s ||Pop/Rock || ]
|- align="center"
| 138 ||align="left" | ] || || align="right" | 44,000,000 || ] || 80s-00s || Rock ||
|- align="center"
| 139 ||align="left" | ] || || align="right" | 44,000,000 || ] || 80s-90s || Pop ||
|- align="center"
| 140 ||align="left" | ] || || align="right" | 43,000,000 || ] || 90s-00s|| ] ||
|- align="center"
| 141 ||align="left" | ] || || align="right" | 42,000,000 || ] || 90s-00s||Rock || *(30 mil. US)
|- align="center"
| 142 ||align="left" | ] || 4 || align="right" | ~40,000,000 || ] || 90s-00s || Rock || ]
|- align="center"
| 143 ||align="left" | ] || || align="right" | 40,000,000 || ] || 70s-00s || Mexican ||
|- align="center"
| 144 ||align="left" | ] || || align="right" | +40,000,000 || ] || || Country ||
|- align="center"
| 145 ||align="left" | ] || || align="right" | 40,000,000 || ] || 60s-00s || Pop ||
|- align="center"
| 146 ||align="left" | ] || 15 || align="right" | ~40,000,000 || ] || 70s-00s|| Metal || ]
|- align="center"
| 147 ||align="left" | ] || || align="right" | ~40,000,000 || ] || 60s-00s || Rock || *(20mil.US)
|- align="center"
| 148 ||align="left" | ] || || align="right" | ~40,000,000 || ] || 60s-00s || Metal || *(27mil.US)
|- align="center"
| 149 ||align="left" | ] || || align="right" | ~40,000,000 || ] || 60s-70s || Rock || *13.5mil.US
|- align="center"
| 150 ||align="left" | ] || || align="right" | 40,000,000 || ] || 60s-90s (1961-1996) || Rock ||

Revision as of 16:51, 25 January 2006

You must add a |reason= parameter to this Cleanup template – replace it with {{Cleanup|November 2005|reason=<Fill reason here>}}, or remove the Cleanup template.

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 Misplaced Pages editors are working hard to make sure this list is as accurate as possible.

# Name Albums Worldwide Sales Nationality Years Active Genre Source
1 Jazzy B 10,000,000,000 IN 90-00s (1995-) Punjabi Rock
2 Elvis 1,000,000,000 US 60-70s (1960-1975) Rock
3 Michael Jackson 14 ~300,000,000 US 70s-00s (1979-) R&B/Pop/Rock MJ Stats

Albums Discography Singles Discography See also: Discussion #1

4 Madonna 16 ~275,000,000 US 80s-00s (1983-) Rock/Pop WBR 2005

Discography

5 Nana Mouskouri 450 ~250,000,000 Greece 60s-00s (1959-) Pop

6 Cliff Richard 60+ 250,000,000 UK 50s-00s (1959-2005) Rock/Pop
7 The Rolling Stones 54 ~230,000,000 UK 60s-00s (1964-1981) Rock 60.5 million in the US
8 Mariah Carey 14 ~230,000,000 US 90s-00s (1990-) R&B/Pop Albums Discography

Singles Discography

9 Elton John 43 ~220,000,000 UK 70s-00s (1972-1976,1989-1991,1997-) Rock/Pop
10 Celine Dion 21 ~220,000,000 Canada 80s-00s (1990-) Rock/Pop

Discography See also: Discussion #1

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

See also: Discussion #1

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
15 Whitney Houston 10 ~180,000,000 US 80s-00s (1985-2000) R&B/Pop Whitney Houston Discography
16 Queen 22 ~160,000,000 UK 70s-00s (1975-1995) Rock R&R HoF, 20011995 source

Queen (band) See also: discussion #11

17 AC/DC 30 ~160,000,000 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
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 Janet Jackson 11 130,000,000 US 80s-00s (1986-) R&B/Pop Janet Jackson Discography
23 The Eagles 15 ~120,000,000 US 70s-00s (1974-1979) Rock 89 million in US
24 Wei Wei (韦唯) ~120,000,000 China 80s-00s (1986-) Pop
25 The Bee Gees 29 110,000,000 UK/Australia 60s-00s (1975-1979) Rock src.1
26 Bon Jovi 13 ~110,000,000 US 80s-00s (1986-2000) Rock (100m.alb.)
27 R.E.M. 17 ~110,000,000 US 80s-00s (1991-) Rock Misplaced Pages source
28 Kenny Rogers 43 105,000,000+ US 60s-00s (1977-1983) Rock

29 Black Sabbath 27 100,000,000+ UK 70s-00s Metal
30 Barbra Streisand 56 100,000,000+ US 60s-00s (1963-1980) popular 70.5 million in US
31 Mireille Mathieu 37 ~100,000,000 France 60s-00s Pop src.
32 Alla Pugacheva 15 ~100,000,000 Russia 70s-00s (1976-) Rock/Pop *(10m.US)
33 Johnny Mathis ~100,000,000 US 50s-00s Pop/Standards src. source 2
34 Ricky Nelson ~100,000,000 US 50s-80s (1958-1961) Pop/Country/Rock Note: no references given here
35 Luciano Pavarotti ~100,000,000 Italy 60s-00s (1972-) Opera
36 Brenda Lee ~100,000,000 US 50s-60s (1958-1963) Pop/Country Note: No references given here
37 Illayaraja 750+ ~100,000,000 India 70s-00s (1982-) Classical 38 A. R. Rahman 92 ~100,000,000 India 90s-00s (1992-) Classical
40 Deep Purple 45 ~150,000,000 UK 60s-00s (1971-1972) Rock
41 Lionel Richie 8 ~100,000,000 US 80s-00s (1981-1985) R&B 21.0 mililion in US

42 Dolly Parton ~100,000,000 US 60s-00s (1981-1983) Country Note: this artist is not listed by RIAA as one of the 200 best selling artists in US See also: discussion #15
43 Donna Summer 29 ~100,000,000 US 70s-90s (1977-1983) Disco Misplaced Pages source
44 Aerosmith 28 ~100,000,000 US 70s-00s (1993-1998) Rock
45 Billy Joel 24 ~100,000,000 US 70s-00s (1978-1983,1989-1993) Rock 78 mil.US,
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
48 Charles Aznavour ~100,000,000 France 50s-00s Pop
49 Backstreet Boys 6 ~90,000,000+ US 90s-00s (1999-2000) Rock src.1
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) 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
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
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
66 Hank Snow ~80,000,000 Canada 30's-90's Folk
67 Britney Spears 5 76,000,000 US 90s-00s (1999-) 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,
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 (1981-2005) 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
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,
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
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
81 Van Halen 14 ~70,000,000 US 70s-00s (1984-1996) Rock
82 Kylie Minogue 65,000,000 Australia 80s-00s (1987-1994,2000-) Pop source
83 George Strait ~65,000,000 US 70s-00s Country *54 mil. US
84 Eminem 65,000,000 US 90s-00s (2000-) Rap *(22 mil. US)
85 Tupac 60,000,000+ US 90s-00s (1994-) Rap
86 Genesis 60,000,000 UK 70s-00s (1980-1997) Rock src.
87 Phil Collins ~60,000,000 UK 80s-00s (1981-1998) Rock src.
88 Guns N' Roses 8 ~60,000,000 US 80s-90s (1987-1991) Rock 71mil. albums
89 Chicago 30 ~60,000,000 US 60s-80s (1972-1975) Rock
90 Vicky Leandros 400+ ~150,000,000+ Greece 60s-00s Pop Greek gvt,official culture award 2003.
91 Bryan Adams ~60,000,000 Canada 80s-00s Pop/Rock
92 The Doors ~60,000,000 US 60s-70s Rock *(30 mil. US)
93 Tina Turner ~60,000,000 US 70s-00s R&B
94 Perry Como ~60,000,000 US 30s-00s Vocal
95 Frank Sinatra ~60,000,000 US 40s-90s Vocal *(25 mil.US)
96 Simon and Garfunkel ~60,000,000 US 60s Rock *(36mil.US)
97 Pearl Jam ~60,000,000 US 90s-00s Alternative *(29 mil. US)
98 John Denver ~60,000,000 US 60s-00s Rock
99 The Monkees ~60,000,000 US 60s-90s Rock
100 Hank Thompson ~60,000,000 US 40s-00s Country Note: no reference provided
101 Barry Manilow 60,000,000+ US 70s-00s Pop/Standards
102 Boyz II Men ~60,000,000 US 80s-00s R&B/Pop *(27mil.US),
103 Paul Anka ~60,000,000 Canada 50s-00s Pop
104 Alanis Morissette ~55,000,000 Canada 90s-00s Rock src.1
105 TLC 4 55,000,000+ USA 90s-00s R&B BMG
106 The Police *53,000,000 UK 70s-80s Rock 22m.US,
107 Nirvana *52,000,000 US 80s-90s Rock 24m.US
108 Michael Bolton 52,000,000 US 80s-00s Pop
109 Luis Miguel 55,000,000 Mexico 80s-00s Latin Pop
110 Andre Kostelanetz 52,000,000 US 70s-00s Classic src.1
111 Tony Bennett ~51,000,000 US 50s-00s Standards/Jazz
112 Alabama *~50,000,000 US 70s-00s Country 46m.US
113 Johnny Cash 4 ~50,000,000 US Country
114 Motley Crue *~50,000,000 US 80s-00s Rock 22m.US,
115 Foreigner *~50,000,000 US/UK 70s-90s Rock/Pop 36m.US
116 Oasis ~57,000,000 UK 90s-00s Rock ~50m.albums
117 Meat Loaf ~50,000,000 US 70s-00s Rock src.2
118 Olivia Newton-John ~50,000,000 Australia 70s-00s Country/Pop
119 Bjork ~50,000,000 Iceland 80s-00s Alternative Note: this artist is NOT listed as one of the 200 best-selling artists by RIAA
120 Gene Autry ~50,000,000 US Country
121 Nat King Cole ~50,000,000 US 30s-60s Jazz
122 The Seekers ~50,000,000 Australia 60s, 90s-00s Rock/Pop/Folk
123 The Doobie Brothers ~50,000,000 US 70s-00s Rock 50mil.US
124 Three Dog Night ~50,000,000 US 60s-70s Rock src.3
125 Bob Seger ~50,000,000 US 70s-00s Rock
126 Roger Whittaker ~50,000,000 UK 70s-90s src.1
127 Annie Lennox ~50,000,000 UK 90s-00s src.1
128 Ace Of Base ~50,000,000 Sweden 90s-00s Pop/Dance source
129 David Bowie ~500,000,000 UK 60s-00s Rock src.
130 Reba McEntire 48,000,000 US 70s-00s Country
131 Andy Lau (劉德華) 48,000,000 Hong Kong 80s-00s Country
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
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
138 Red Hot Chili Peppers 44,000,000 US 80s-00s Rock
139 Milli Vanilli 44,000,000 Germany 80s-90s Pop
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
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 UK 60s-00s Metal *(27mil.US)
149 John Lennon ~40,000,000 UK 60s-70s Rock *13.5mil.US
150 The Beach Boys 40,000,000 US 60s-90s (1961-1996) Rock