Record sales

[Andrew G. Doe]

I've noticed press releases for some artists have their record sales suddenly jump up from time to time. For example in the late 90s it was written that Billy Joel had sold 90 million albums. A few years later 100 million, and about 5 years after that it is commonly stated as 150 million (this despite not releasing any new albums in that time).  When calculating all album sales either in US or worldwide it often doesn't add up.

Something that must be borne in mind is that RIAA certification isn't automatic. The record company has to request it, submit their records for audit and pay for it. This explain why Endless Summer went gold roughly three minutes after it was released (OK, about eight/nine weeks) but wasn't certified as platinum (triple platinum, actually) until over 39 years later.

If, like me, you find all this fascinating, check out the RIAA page of 104532.

[Steve Mayo]

39 years??   

[Andrew G. Doe]

39 years??    

Certified gold 8/14/1974, certified platinum/double platinum/triple platinum 9/30/2003. Like I said, over 29 years later.  

[Steve Mayo]

my fault...i need new glasses... 

[Magic Transistor Radio]

It's POSSIBLE, that INTERNATIONALLY, they're the biggest selling American group.  Aerosmith being their biggest american competition.

BTW, there was a fire back 'n the day at Capitol Records that destroyed a lot of album records (paperwork), I know some of the Beatles info was destroyed in the fire, perhaps the Beach Boys numbers were too, so the reason they aren't included is simply because the info isn't available?

50 Million in my opinion is low. 

Several years ago, Melinda mentioned somewhere that in America, royalty payments for radio play put the Beach Boys at #3, behind the Beatles and Elvis. 

I heard the fire happened on 11/28/66

[kiwi surfer]

ACDC aren't American.

They are from Australia....Like Crowded House, Russel Crowe and Phar lap............

What?  I'll give you ACDC notwithstanding that Phil Rudd lives a couple of miles from me.

[astroray]

Ive heard on the news last night and today, Whitney sold 130 million,170 million and over 200 million records! Lets just make up a number!

[Zach95]

Ive heard on the news last night and today, Whitney sold 130 million,170 million and over 200 million records! Lets just make up a number!

I read an article that cited 55 million records in the United States 

[Magic Transistor Radio]

Do the sales of an album include all formats? Records, tapes, cds, 8 tracks, downloads, etc? So when Pet Sounds first came out on cd in 1990, I assume that is added on to record sales previously?

[SBonilla]

Do the sales of an album include all formats? Records, tapes, cds, 8 tracks, downloads, etc? So when Pet Sounds first came out on cd in 1990, I assume that is added on to record sales previously?

Yep, units is units.

[William Bowe]

AC/DC are from Australia....Like Crowded House, Russel Crowe and Phar lap............ Wink

No, they are from Australia like The Bee Gees, Olivia Newton John and Joe Bugner.

[joe_blow]

I've noticed press releases for some artists have their record sales suddenly jump up from time to time. For example in the late 90s it was written that Billy Joel had sold 90 million albums. A few years later 100 million, and about 5 years after that it is commonly stated as 150 million (this despite not releasing any new albums in that time).  When calculating all album sales either in US or worldwide it often doesn't add up.

Something that must be borne in mind is that RIAA certification isn't automatic. The record company has to request it, submit their records for audit and pay for it. This explain why Endless Summer went gold roughly three minutes after it was released (OK, about eight/nine weeks) but wasn't certified as platinum (triple platinum, actually) until over 39 years later.

If, like me, you find all this fascinating, check out the RIAA page of 104532.

Thanks like attendance figures, I love this stuff!