Why haven't the band's total sales been properly audited?

[Quzi]

Is there any indication why this hasn't taken place? I gather they band would have at least have sold 50 million units over the years to make the list of best-selling artists, but a search over the internet reveals nothing of the sort. I'm guessing that perhaps Capitol are holding out of doing a full-scale legacy evaluation until the band has dissolved, but who knows.

In the meantime, are there any decent estimates floating around out there? I tried going to a few different record certifying sites the other week to tally what I could and I arrived at something around forty-million certifiable sales.

[Andrew G. Doe]

Finances. The actual RIAA audit isn't that expensive, but could be so in the long term as it might reveal that Capitol owed the band serious dosh due to underestimates of sales. The classic case here is Pet Sounds: even though a (much) later examination of the documentation revealed that it had sold enough to go gold by summer 1967, Capitol never requested an RIAA audit until 2000.

During the 1966-67 suit between Brother & Capitol, auditing was conducted, but that was more for total payments.

Additionally, a full audit would very likely be embarrassing for the band as it would reveal that some albums had sold exceedingly poorly.

The figure of 94 million in sales was regularly noted during the "Brian's Back !" era, so by now is certainly over 100 mill.

[bgas]

Funny this coming up; while surfing yesterday, I came across a page with someone's breakdown;
Does it appear to be close to accurate?    
Should have noted the site where I got this:  
Note: Things that are not included below:
 
* bootlegs and/or counterfit releases
 * promotion-only and/or giveaway-only releases
 * interview-only and/or spoken word-only releases UNLESS they have been released by THE BEACH BOYS's record company or specifically licensed by them
 * 'Various Artists' releases
 * EP or Mini-Album releases (album must contain at least 7 BEACH BOYS tracks or at least 30 minutes of BEACH BOYS music)
 * Export Sales: albums made in USA but shipped overseas to be sold in other countries
 
Album titles that are underlined are those that are nearing or awaiting an RIAA award, or an award upgrade
 
Yr.....Chart...Last Cert....Album Title.........................................RIAA Award.....Album Sales......Comments/Notes
 Rel...Peak....by RIAA
 
1962....032....none....Surfin' Safari........................................................................400,000
 1963....002....1965....Surfin' USA.................................................Gold..................900,000
 1963....007....1965....Surfer Girl...................................................Gold..................775,000
 1963....004....1992....Little Deuce Coupe.....................................Platinum........1,100,000
 1964....013....1966....Shut Down, Vol 2........................................Gold..................575,000
 1964....004....1965....All Summer Long........................................Gold..................675,000
 1964....****....1982....Christmas Album.........................................Gold..................900,000.....219k-SScanFeb12
 1964....001....1965....Beach Boys Concert...................................Gold..................875,000.....includes 70's Pickwick edition (SPC-3309)
 1965....004....1965....Beach Boys Today......................................Gold..................775,000
 1965....002....1966....Summer Days and Summer Nights.............Gold..................650,000
 1965....-----....none....2 Complete: All Summer Long-Concert....................................5,000......Tape-only (y2t-2370), 1 tape, deleted 68
 1965....-----....none....2 Complete: Little Deuce-Shut Down Vol 2...............................5,000......Tape-only (y2t-2383), 1 tape, deleted 69
 1965....006....none....Beach Boys' Party.................................................................375,000
 1966....010....2000....Pet Sounds..................................................Platinum.........1,400,000.....670k thru 1981, 502k-SScanAug12
 1966....008....1991....Best Of The Beach Boys.............................PLAT x 2........2,900,000.....1.2m-SScanNov08
 1967....050....1992....Best Of The Beach Boys, Vol 2...................PLAT x 2........2,400,000
 1967....041....none....Smiley Smile..........................................................................250,000....T-9001
 1967....-----....none....The Beach Boys Deluxe Set....................................................30,000....DCTL-2813 (Oct 67), 3LP Box, deleted 1968
 1967....024....none....Wild Honey............................................................................300,000.....ST-2859 (Dec 67)
 1968....126....none....Friends...................................................................................150,000.....ST-2895 (Jun 68)
 1968....-----....none....Stack-O-Tracks........................................................................40,000.....DKAO-2893 (Aug 68)
 1968....153....none....Best Of The Beach Boys, Vol 3...............................................85,000.....DKAO-2945, deleted early 70's
 1969....068....none....20/20......................................................................................200,000.....SKAO-133
 1969....-----....none....Biggest Beach Hits (ERA)........................................................25,000.....HTE-805, rare
 1969....136....none....Close Up...................................................................................60,000.....SWBB-253, deleted early 70's
 1970....-----....none....Greatest Hits: 1961-1963 (WAND).........................................125,000.....WDS-688, including later Orbit and Scepter editions
 1970....-----....none....Good Vibrations......................................................................125,000.....ST-442, includes Pickwick edition (spc-3269)
 1970....151....none....Sunflower................................................................................200,000
 1970....-----....none....The Beach Boys (PICKWICK)..................................................50,000.....SPC-3221 (Sep 70)
 1970....-----....none....Doubleplay: All Summer Long-Calif Girls.................................50,000......STBB-500
 1970....-----....none....California Girls..........................................................................75,000......DF-502, includes 80's edition (SN-16017)
 1971....-----....none....Doubleplay: Fun Fun Fun-Dance Dance..................................50,000......STBB-701
 1971....-----....none....Fun, Fun, Fun...........................................................................75,000......SF-702, includes 80's edition (SN-16018)
 1971....-----....none....Dance, Dance, Dance...............................................................75,000.....DF-703, includes 80's edition (SN-16019)
 1971....029....none....Surf's Up.................................................................................300,000
 1972....-----....none....Summertime Blues (SEARS)....................................................20,000.....SPS-608
 1972....050....none....Carl & The Passions-Pet Sounds...........................................150,000
 1973....036....none....Holland....................................................................................225,000
 1973....-----....none....High Water (PICKWICK)...........................................................60,000.....PTP-2059 (Mar 73)
 1973....025....none....The Beach Boys In Concert....................................................200,000
 1974....-----....none....Surfer Girl (PICKWICK)............................................................75,000.....SPC-3351, different than the 1963 album
 1974....001....2003....Endless Summer..........................................PLAT x 3........3,225,000.....792k-SScanAug12
 1974....050....none....DoublePack: Wild Honey & 20/20............................................75,000......2MS-2166
 1974....125....none....DoublePack: Friends & Smiley Smile.......................................50,000......2MS-2167
 1975....****....none....Golden Years Of (CANDLELITE)..............................................80,000.....SLB-6994
 1975....008....1975....Spirit Of America..........................................Gold...................800,000
 1975....****....none....American Summer (CAP-RCA CLUB)....................................125,000.....R-233593
 1975....025....none....Good Vibrations-Best Of Beach Boys.....................................250,000
 1976....-----....none....Little Deuce Coupe (PICKWICK)..............................................50,000.....SPC-3562, different than '63 album of same title
 1976....008....1976....15 Big Ones..................................................Gold...................725,000
 1976....075....none....Beach Boys '69 - Live In London.............................................250,000
 1977....053....none....Love You.................................................................................200,000
 1978....151....none....M.I.U. Album............................................................................135,000
 1978....****....none....Super Hits (RONCO)...............................................................100,000.....SL-8114
 1979....100....none....L.A.-Light Album......................................................................160,000
 1980....075....none....Keepin' The Summer Alive......................................................175,000
 1981....-----....none....Rare Early Recordings (EVEREST)..........................................30,000......EV-4108 (Jul 81)
 1981....156....none....Ten Years Of Harmony............................................................175,000.....2-disc multiplier
 1982....180....none....Sunshine Dream......................................................................100,000
 1982....-----....none....Be True To Your School............................................................50,000......N-16273
 1983....-----....none....Beach Boys Forever................................................................100,000.....SL/4xl-8342, includes Heartland (HL-1007) edition
 1983....-----....none....The Beach Boys........................................................................50,000.....4xl-8350 (Capitol Special Markets)
 1983....-----....none....Summer Dreams........................................................................50,000.....4xl-8351 (Capitol Special Markets)
 1983....-----....none....Rarities.......................................................................................50,000
 1984....-----....none....For All Seasons..........................................................................50,000.....Pair PDL-1068
 1984....-----....none....Merry Christmas From The Beach Boys..................................200,000.....102k-SScanMay12, 4xl-9012 (Capitol Special Markets/Delta)
 1984....-----....none....Beach Boys Surf's Up!...............................................................50,000.....4xl-9053 (Capitol Special Markets), diff than 1971 album
 1984....-----....none....Do It Again.................................................................................50,000.....4xl-9109 (Capitol Special Markets)
 1985....-----....none....Golden Favorites........................................................................50,000.....4xl-9202 (Capitol Special Markets)
 1985....052....none....The Beach Boys.......................................................................200,000
 1986....096....2003....Made In USA.................................................PLAT x 2.........2,000,000
 1986....****....none....The Beach Boys: 1962-67 (TIME-LIFE).....................................50,000
 1987....-----....none....California And Other Girls..........................................................80,000.....4xl-9516 (Capitol Special Markets)
 1988....-----....none....Concert Days.............................................................................80,000.....4xl-9764 (Capitol Special Markets)
 1989....046....2003....Still Crusin'.....................................................Platinum.........1,000,000
 1989....-----....none....Greatest Surfing Songs (CEMA)..............................................800,000.....696k-SScanAug03, S21-57240
 1989....-----....none....Greatest Car Songs (CEMA)....................................................300,000.....S21-57241
 1990....-----....none....All-Time Greatest Hits: 10 Best (CEMA)..................................150,000.....CDL-57355
 1990....-----....none....Doublepack: Surfin Safari & Surfin' USA....................................35,000
 1990....-----....none....Doublepack: Surfer Girl & Shut Down V2...................................35,000
 1990....-----....none....Doublepack: Little Deuce & All Summer.....................................40,000
 1990....-----....none....Doublepack: Today & Summer Days..........................................40,000
 1990....-----....none....Doublepack: Party & Stack-O-Tracks..........................................20,000
 1990....-----....none....Doublepack: Smiley Smile & Wild Honey....................................20,000
 1990....-----....none....Doublepack: Friends & 20/20......................................................20,000
 1990....-----....none....Doublepack: Concert & Live In London.......................................20,000
 1991....-----....none....Lost & Found: 1961-62................................................................50,000
 1991....-----....none....The Absolute Best, Vol 1.............................................................85,000.....cdp-c2-96795
 1991....-----....none....The Absolute Best, Vol 2.............................................................75,000.....cdp-c2-96796
 1992....-----....none....Summer In Paradise....................................................................25,000.....deleted 1994
 1993....-----....1993....Good Vibrations: 30 Years..............................Gold...................150,000.....117k-SScanDec03, 5-disc multiplier for cert
 1993....-----....none....Beach Boys Christmas (CEMA)...................................................50,000.....S21-17417
 1995....095....1999....The Greatest Hits, Vol 1..................................PLAT x 2.........2,000,000.....1.46m-SScanAug12 + club sales
 1996....101....none....Stars & Stripes.............................................................................70,000
 1996....-----....none....Pet Sounds: Mono and Stereo Mixes...........................................50,000.....Capitol-21242
 1997....-----....none....Perfect Harmony: Essential Beach Boys.....................................60,000.....Capitol-21277
 1997....-----....none....Pet Sound Sessions: 30th Anniversary........................................70,000.....41k-SScanOct06, 4-disc multiplier,
 1998....-----....none....Endless Harmony Soundtrack......................................................50,000.....includes 2000 reissue edition
 1998....-----....none....Ultimate Christmas.......................................................................60,000
 1999....192....none....The Greatest Hits, Vol 2.............................................................325,000
 2000....-----....none....The Greatest Hits, Vol 3.............................................................150,000
 2000....-----....none....Surfin'...........................................................................................25,000......Varese VSD-6085
 2000....-----....none....Doublepack: Sunflower & Surf's Up.............................................20,000
 2000....-----....none....Doublepack: Carl Passions & Holland..........................................15,000
 2000....-----....none....Doublepack: 15 Big Ones & Love You.........................................20,000
 2000....-----....none....Doublepack: MIU Album & LA Album...........................................15,000
 2000....-----....none....Doublepack: Keepin' Summer & B.Boys '85.................................15,000
 2001....-----....none....Hawthorne, CA: Birthplace Of A Legacy.......................................60,000......2-disc multiplier
 2002....159....none....Beach Boys Classics: Selected By B. Wison..............................120,000
 2002....-----....2008....Good Timin': Live At Knebworth 1980...............Gold..................515,000
 2003....015....2012....Sounds Of Summer: Very Best Of.....................PLAT x 3........3,050,000.....3.03m-SScanSep12
 2004....-----....none....Christmas With The Beach Boys.................................................110,000.....106k-SScanFeb12
 2006....-----....none....Songs From Here & Back (HALLMARK).......................................50,000.....xpr-3940
 2006....-----....none....Summer Crush (STARBUCKS).....................................................70,000
 2006....-----....none....Pet Sounds: 40th Anniversary Edition...........................................40,000.....2-disc multiplier
 2006....-----....none....Good Vibrations: 40th Anniversary Edition....................................45,000
 2007....040....none....The Warmth Of The Sun..............................................................130,000.....55k-SScanJul07
 2007....-----....none....Forever Beach Boys (MADACY)....................................................55,000
 2009....-----....none....Summer Love Songs......................................................................40,000
 2009....-----....none....Christmas Harmonies.....................................................................35,000
 2009....-----....none....Holidays & Hits...............................................................................35,000.....2-disc multiplier
 2010....-----....none....Ten Great Songs..........................................................................150,000.....140k (physical)-SScanSep12
 2011....027....none....The Smile Sessions........................................................................70,000.....48k-SScanFeb12 + 7k-SScan (vinyl), 2-disc multiplier
 2011....-----....none....The Smile Sessions Deluxe Box.....................................................20,000.....5-disc multiplier
 2012....086....none....Anniversary Collection: ZinePac.....................................................25,000.....5.5k-SScanMay12w-1,
 2012....003....none....That's Why God Made The Radio.................................................175,000.....155k-SScanOct12
 2012....115....none....Greatest Hits: 50 Big Ones..............................................................25,000.....4k-SScanOct12w-1, 2-disc multiplier
 2012....-----....none....Greatest Hits....................................................................................25,000.....1-disc
 + domestic US sales of foreign-pressed albums.............................................................850,000
 
TOTAL US ALBUM SALES........................................................................................39,075,000
 

RIAA album Certification data as of October 1, 2012:
 
12..Gold....................6,000,000 disc units...........5,600,000 albums
 3....Platinum..............3,000,000 disc units...........3,000,000 albums
 4....PLAT x 2.............8,000,000 disc units...........8,000,000 albums
 2....PLAT x 3.............6,000,000 disc units...........6,000,000 albums
 ------------
 21............................23,000,000 disc units.........22,600,000 albums  <<

[Matt H]

Didn't the Beach Boys In Concert go Gold as a double record, so that would mean it would have to have sold 250K

[Andrew G. Doe]

Note that a lot of those albums haven't been audited/certified since a year or so after they were released, hence the 39 mill figure is way understated.

And In Concert was certified gold by the RIAA on October 4th 1974.

Also... Beach Boys Classics: Selected By Brian Wilson shifting 120,000 units but only charting for one week at #159 ?

[harrisonjon]

Shouldn't all the versions of Pet Sounds be consolidated? What would be the figure in that case?

[bgas]

Should have noted the site where I got this:  

[Steve Mayo]

those epic/caribou cd/vinyl releases of the warners lp's are missing.  that is why the total sales figures are low... 

[dellydel]

I've heard the BBs sometimes referred to as "America's biggest selling rock band of all time."   But it's hard to confirm, because that's only true from a certain point of view... the BBs are a singles band much more than an albums band, so it's not the type of list that counts big albums, but big songs.  Or something. 

So, does anyone know if THAT is true, so I can keep saying it to whoever will hear it? 

[Letsgoawayforawhile]

Funny this coming up; while surfing yesterday, I came across a page with someone's breakdown;
Does it appear to be close to accurate?    
Should have noted the site where I got this:  http://www.greasylake.org/the-circuit/index.php?/topic/108245-the-beach-boys-bee-gees-and-fleetwood-mac/

>>THE BEACH BOYS - USA ALBUM SALES
 
Note: Things that are not included below:
 
* bootlegs and/or counterfit releases
 * promotion-only and/or giveaway-only releases
 * interview-only and/or spoken word-only releases UNLESS they have been released by THE BEACH BOYS's record company or specifically licensed by them
 * 'Various Artists' releases
 * EP or Mini-Album releases (album must contain at least 7 BEACH BOYS tracks or at least 30 minutes of BEACH BOYS music)
 * Export Sales: albums made in USA but shipped overseas to be sold in other countries
 
Album titles that are underlined are those that are nearing or awaiting an RIAA award, or an award upgrade
 
Yr.....Chart...Last Cert....Album Title.........................................RIAA Award.....Album Sales......Comments/Notes
 Rel...Peak....by RIAA
 
1962....032....none....Surfin' Safari........................................................................400,000
 1963....002....1965....Surfin' USA.................................................Gold..................900,000
 1963....007....1965....Surfer Girl...................................................Gold..................775,000
 1963....004....1992....Little Deuce Coupe.....................................Platinum........1,100,000
 1964....013....1966....Shut Down, Vol 2........................................Gold..................575,000
 1964....004....1965....All Summer Long........................................Gold..................675,000
 1964....****....1982....Christmas Album.........................................Gold..................900,000.....219k-SScanFeb12
 1964....001....1965....Beach Boys Concert...................................Gold..................875,000.....includes 70's Pickwick edition (SPC-3309)
 1965....004....1965....Beach Boys Today......................................Gold..................775,000
 1965....002....1966....Summer Days and Summer Nights.............Gold..................650,000
 1965....-----....none....2 Complete: All Summer Long-Concert....................................5,000......Tape-only (y2t-2370), 1 tape, deleted 68
 1965....-----....none....2 Complete: Little Deuce-Shut Down Vol 2...............................5,000......Tape-only (y2t-2383), 1 tape, deleted 69
 1965....006....none....Beach Boys' Party.................................................................375,000
 1966....010....2000....Pet Sounds..................................................Platinum.........1,400,000.....670k thru 1981, 502k-SScanAug12
 1966....008....1991....Best Of The Beach Boys.............................PLAT x 2........2,900,000.....1.2m-SScanNov08
 1967....050....1992....Best Of The Beach Boys, Vol 2...................PLAT x 2........2,400,000
 1967....041....none....Smiley Smile..........................................................................250,000....T-9001
 1967....-----....none....The Beach Boys Deluxe Set....................................................30,000....DCTL-2813 (Oct 67), 3LP Box, deleted 1968
 1967....024....none....Wild Honey............................................................................300,000.....ST-2859 (Dec 67)
 1968....126....none....Friends...................................................................................150,000.....ST-2895 (Jun 68)
 1968....-----....none....Stack-O-Tracks........................................................................40,000.....DKAO-2893 (Aug 68)
 1968....153....none....Best Of The Beach Boys, Vol 3...............................................85,000.....DKAO-2945, deleted early 70's
 1969....068....none....20/20......................................................................................200,000.....SKAO-133
 1969....-----....none....Biggest Beach Hits (ERA)........................................................25,000.....HTE-805, rare
 1969....136....none....Close Up...................................................................................60,000.....SWBB-253, deleted early 70's
 1970....-----....none....Greatest Hits: 1961-1963 (WAND).........................................125,000.....WDS-688, including later Orbit and Scepter editions
 1970....-----....none....Good Vibrations......................................................................125,000.....ST-442, includes Pickwick edition (spc-3269)
 1970....151....none....Sunflower................................................................................200,000
 1970....-----....none....The Beach Boys (PICKWICK)..................................................50,000.....SPC-3221 (Sep 70)
 1970....-----....none....Doubleplay: All Summer Long-Calif Girls.................................50,000......STBB-500
 1970....-----....none....California Girls..........................................................................75,000......DF-502, includes 80's edition (SN-16017)
 1971....-----....none....Doubleplay: Fun Fun Fun-Dance Dance..................................50,000......STBB-701
 1971....-----....none....Fun, Fun, Fun...........................................................................75,000......SF-702, includes 80's edition (SN-16018)
 1971....-----....none....Dance, Dance, Dance...............................................................75,000.....DF-703, includes 80's edition (SN-16019)
 1971....029....none....Surf's Up.................................................................................300,000
 1972....-----....none....Summertime Blues (SEARS)....................................................20,000.....SPS-608
 1972....050....none....Carl & The Passions-Pet Sounds...........................................150,000
 1973....036....none....Holland....................................................................................225,000
 1973....-----....none....High Water (PICKWICK)...........................................................60,000.....PTP-2059 (Mar 73)
 1973....025....none....The Beach Boys In Concert....................................................200,000
 1974....-----....none....Surfer Girl (PICKWICK)............................................................75,000.....SPC-3351, different than the 1963 album
 1974....001....2003....Endless Summer..........................................PLAT x 3........3,225,000.....792k-SScanAug12
 1974....050....none....DoublePack: Wild Honey & 20/20............................................75,000......2MS-2166
 1974....125....none....DoublePack: Friends & Smiley Smile.......................................50,000......2MS-2167
 1975....****....none....Golden Years Of (CANDLELITE)..............................................80,000.....SLB-6994
 1975....008....1975....Spirit Of America..........................................Gold...................800,000
 1975....****....none....American Summer (CAP-RCA CLUB)....................................125,000.....R-233593
 1975....025....none....Good Vibrations-Best Of Beach Boys.....................................250,000
 1976....-----....none....Little Deuce Coupe (PICKWICK)..............................................50,000.....SPC-3562, different than '63 album of same title
 1976....008....1976....15 Big Ones..................................................Gold...................725,000
 1976....075....none....Beach Boys '69 - Live In London.............................................250,000
 1977....053....none....Love You.................................................................................200,000
 1978....151....none....M.I.U. Album............................................................................135,000
 1978....****....none....Super Hits (RONCO)...............................................................100,000.....SL-8114
 1979....100....none....L.A.-Light Album......................................................................160,000
 1980....075....none....Keepin' The Summer Alive......................................................175,000
 1981....-----....none....Rare Early Recordings (EVEREST)..........................................30,000......EV-4108 (Jul 81)
 1981....156....none....Ten Years Of Harmony............................................................175,000.....2-disc multiplier
 1982....180....none....Sunshine Dream......................................................................100,000
 1982....-----....none....Be True To Your School............................................................50,000......N-16273
 1983....-----....none....Beach Boys Forever................................................................100,000.....SL/4xl-8342, includes Heartland (HL-1007) edition
 1983....-----....none....The Beach Boys........................................................................50,000.....4xl-8350 (Capitol Special Markets)
 1983....-----....none....Summer Dreams........................................................................50,000.....4xl-8351 (Capitol Special Markets)
 1983....-----....none....Rarities.......................................................................................50,000
 1984....-----....none....For All Seasons..........................................................................50,000.....Pair PDL-1068
 1984....-----....none....Merry Christmas From The Beach Boys..................................200,000.....102k-SScanMay12, 4xl-9012 (Capitol Special Markets/Delta)
 1984....-----....none....Beach Boys Surf's Up!...............................................................50,000.....4xl-9053 (Capitol Special Markets), diff than 1971 album
 1984....-----....none....Do It Again.................................................................................50,000.....4xl-9109 (Capitol Special Markets)
 1985....-----....none....Golden Favorites........................................................................50,000.....4xl-9202 (Capitol Special Markets)
 1985....052....none....The Beach Boys.......................................................................200,000
 1986....096....2003....Made In USA.................................................PLAT x 2.........2,000,000
 1986....****....none....The Beach Boys: 1962-67 (TIME-LIFE).....................................50,000
 1987....-----....none....California And Other Girls..........................................................80,000.....4xl-9516 (Capitol Special Markets)
 1988....-----....none....Concert Days.............................................................................80,000.....4xl-9764 (Capitol Special Markets)
 1989....046....2003....Still Crusin'.....................................................Platinum.........1,000,000
 1989....-----....none....Greatest Surfing Songs (CEMA)..............................................800,000.....696k-SScanAug03, S21-57240
 1989....-----....none....Greatest Car Songs (CEMA)....................................................300,000.....S21-57241
 1990....-----....none....All-Time Greatest Hits: 10 Best (CEMA)..................................150,000.....CDL-57355
 1990....-----....none....Doublepack: Surfin Safari & Surfin' USA....................................35,000
 1990....-----....none....Doublepack: Surfer Girl & Shut Down V2...................................35,000
 1990....-----....none....Doublepack: Little Deuce & All Summer.....................................40,000
 1990....-----....none....Doublepack: Today & Summer Days..........................................40,000
 1990....-----....none....Doublepack: Party & Stack-O-Tracks..........................................20,000
 1990....-----....none....Doublepack: Smiley Smile & Wild Honey....................................20,000
 1990....-----....none....Doublepack: Friends & 20/20......................................................20,000
 1990....-----....none....Doublepack: Concert & Live In London.......................................20,000
 1991....-----....none....Lost & Found: 1961-62................................................................50,000
 1991....-----....none....The Absolute Best, Vol 1.............................................................85,000.....cdp-c2-96795
 1991....-----....none....The Absolute Best, Vol 2.............................................................75,000.....cdp-c2-96796
 1992....-----....none....Summer In Paradise....................................................................25,000.....deleted 1994
 1993....-----....1993....Good Vibrations: 30 Years..............................Gold...................150,000.....117k-SScanDec03, 5-disc multiplier for cert
 1993....-----....none....Beach Boys Christmas (CEMA)...................................................50,000.....S21-17417
 1995....095....1999....The Greatest Hits, Vol 1..................................PLAT x 2.........2,000,000.....1.46m-SScanAug12 + club sales
 1996....101....none....Stars & Stripes.............................................................................70,000
 1996....-----....none....Pet Sounds: Mono and Stereo Mixes...........................................50,000.....Capitol-21242
 1997....-----....none....Perfect Harmony: Essential Beach Boys.....................................60,000.....Capitol-21277
 1997....-----....none....Pet Sound Sessions: 30th Anniversary........................................70,000.....41k-SScanOct06, 4-disc multiplier,
 1998....-----....none....Endless Harmony Soundtrack......................................................50,000.....includes 2000 reissue edition
 1998....-----....none....Ultimate Christmas.......................................................................60,000
 1999....192....none....The Greatest Hits, Vol 2.............................................................325,000
 2000....-----....none....The Greatest Hits, Vol 3.............................................................150,000
 2000....-----....none....Surfin'...........................................................................................25,000......Varese VSD-6085
 2000....-----....none....Doublepack: Sunflower & Surf's Up.............................................20,000
 2000....-----....none....Doublepack: Carl Passions & Holland..........................................15,000
 2000....-----....none....Doublepack: 15 Big Ones & Love You.........................................20,000
 2000....-----....none....Doublepack: MIU Album & LA Album...........................................15,000
 2000....-----....none....Doublepack: Keepin' Summer & B.Boys '85.................................15,000
 2001....-----....none....Hawthorne, CA: Birthplace Of A Legacy.......................................60,000......2-disc multiplier
 2002....159....none....Beach Boys Classics: Selected By B. Wison..............................120,000
 2002....-----....2008....Good Timin': Live At Knebworth 1980...............Gold..................515,000
 2003....015....2012....Sounds Of Summer: Very Best Of.....................PLAT x 3........3,050,000.....3.03m-SScanSep12
 2004....-----....none....Christmas With The Beach Boys.................................................110,000.....106k-SScanFeb12
 2006....-----....none....Songs From Here & Back (HALLMARK).......................................50,000.....xpr-3940
 2006....-----....none....Summer Crush (STARBUCKS).....................................................70,000
 2006....-----....none....Pet Sounds: 40th Anniversary Edition...........................................40,000.....2-disc multiplier
 2006....-----....none....Good Vibrations: 40th Anniversary Edition....................................45,000
 2007....040....none....The Warmth Of The Sun..............................................................130,000.....55k-SScanJul07
 2007....-----....none....Forever Beach Boys (MADACY)....................................................55,000
 2009....-----....none....Summer Love Songs......................................................................40,000
 2009....-----....none....Christmas Harmonies.....................................................................35,000
 2009....-----....none....Holidays & Hits...............................................................................35,000.....2-disc multiplier
 2010....-----....none....Ten Great Songs..........................................................................150,000.....140k (physical)-SScanSep12
 2011....027....none....The Smile Sessions........................................................................70,000.....48k-SScanFeb12 + 7k-SScan (vinyl), 2-disc multiplier
 2011....-----....none....The Smile Sessions Deluxe Box.....................................................20,000.....5-disc multiplier
 2012....086....none....Anniversary Collection: ZinePac.....................................................25,000.....5.5k-SScanMay12w-1,
 2012....003....none....That's Why God Made The Radio.................................................175,000.....155k-SScanOct12
 2012....115....none....Greatest Hits: 50 Big Ones..............................................................25,000.....4k-SScanOct12w-1, 2-disc multiplier
 2012....-----....none....Greatest Hits....................................................................................25,000.....1-disc
 + domestic US sales of foreign-pressed albums.............................................................850,000
 
TOTAL US ALBUM SALES........................................................................................39,075,000
 

RIAA album Certification data as of October 1, 2012:
 
12..Gold....................6,000,000 disc units...........5,600,000 albums
 3....Platinum..............3,000,000 disc units...........3,000,000 albums
 4....PLAT x 2.............8,000,000 disc units...........8,000,000 albums
 2....PLAT x 3.............6,000,000 disc units...........6,000,000 albums
 ------------
 21............................23,000,000 disc units.........22,600,000 albums  <<

Today has really sold more than Summer Days?
That seems pretty odd to me, with the #1 Help Me, Rhonda and #3 California Girls.

[Quzi]

Today! had 3 hit singles on it, 4 if you count those who were duped into thinking Ronda was Rhonda

[Andrew G. Doe]

Today has really sold more than Summer Days?
That seems pretty odd to me, with the #1 Help Me, Rhonda and #3 California Girls.

Note the dates of last audit. Most of their catalog hasn't been checked in decades.

[TommyPlural]

Also... Beach Boys Classics: Selected By Brian Wilson shifting 120,000 units but only charting for one week at #159 ?

I recall running into copies of Classics Selected by BW in the Meijer (supermarket chain local/ regional to Michigan, Ohio, etc) CD section fairly regularly in 2003-5... they must have shipped a lot of copies of that one to make it to that market so presently. Record certification is a very odd beast from what I can understand, with the rather convoluted state of the BBs catalog being a fairly vivid example of how to make it difficult to track overall sales.

[William Bowe]

There's obviously a great deal of crude guesswork here. Surely the Capitol two-fer CDs weren't really outsold by things that came out at about the same time called "California and Other Girls" and "Concert Days". It also isn't my understanding that KTSA outsold LA (Light Album), chart positions notwithstanding.

[kookadams]

I've heard the BBs sometimes referred to as "America's biggest selling rock band of all time."   But it's hard to confirm, because that's only true from a certain point of view... the BBs are a singles band much more than an albums band, so it's not the type of list that counts big albums, but big songs.  Or something. 

So, does anyone know if THAT is true, so I can keep saying it to whoever will hear it? 

?THE BEACH BOYS ARE THE BIGGEST SELLING AMERICAN ROCK BAND OF ALL TIME. DONT TELL ME YOU THOUGHT SOMEONE ELSE WAS? YOUR REPLY IS VERY CONFUSING.

[Ron]

I've mentioned this before, and just as a disclaimer I have no proof.  Also I'd like to state I defer to whatever AGD decides, he knows his stuff... but...

Years ago, I was a huge Beatles fan.  In some Beatles book somewhere (I read dozens) I once read that capitol records had a problem with accurate sales figures because they had a fire at an office somewhere in the early 70's or so that destroyed a lot of paperwork, so they lost their 'ability' to prove a lot of the sales figures for certification.  So maybe that fire if it ever happened also destroyed some of the Beach Boys' paperwork. 


Really too, you have to think, when did we start the multi-platinum race?  It could be as simple as companies just didn't care once an album was Gold or Platinum to get it certified again. 

[kookadams]

I see what ya mean but since EMI owns Capitol wouldnt they have had some kinda database? Like if you take for example how EMI distributed the beatles thru Parlophone in the UK and Capitol in the US they hafta have had some kinda full proof means of securing detrimental information like that- especially since both the beatles and beach boys were their cash cows.

[Ron]

aybe the fire was at EMI?  I dont' know, and can't prove it, I just distinctly remember reading that the Beatles sales figures were likely low, because there was a fire that destroyed a lot of paperwork somewhere at sometime.  The whole story may be b.s. but it's worth mentioning.  For whatever reason, it does seem strange.

Here's something for context: I was just posting about the Andrews sisters on another thread.  The Andrews Sisters have sold 90 million records... but yet according to the post above, the Beach Boys only sold 35 million?  Something's wrong somewhere.

Edit: I've seen several sites online claiming that Billboard has frequently said the Beach Boys are best selling American act ever, and also that worldwide sales have been estimated at a whopping 350 million records. 

[kookadams]

Yeah they have definitely sold at least a couple hundred million for sure.