Ten of the Best Albums of All Time
From the legendary Michael Jackson, to iconic groups like The Beatles and AC/DC, there are several other artists who albums top the charts and rank as the best albums of all time.
1. “Their Greatest Hits 1975-1975″ by the Eagles--29 million albums sold. Released in 1976, this album by American rock bank the Eagles surpassed 29 million as of 2009, making it the best-selling album ever in the U.S. music industry.
2. “Thriller” by Michael Jackson–27 million albums sold. The sixth studio album released by the late Jackson in 1982, “Thriller” ranked at #20 on Rolling Stone magazine “500 Greatest Albums of All Time” list in 2003, was listed by the NARM (National Association of Recording Merchandisers) at #3 in its “Definitive 200 Albums of All Time” and even the “Thriller” video was preserved by the Library of Congress to the National Recording Registry as deemed “culturally significant”.
3. “Led Zeppelin IV” by Led Zeppelin–23 million sold. This 4th album released by the English rock band, “Led Zeppelin IV” was released in November 1971 and was immediately a success. Worldwide it has sold 32 million units, making this album an international best-seller, and the 3rd best-selling album in the U.S. In 2003, it was ranked 66th on Rolling Stone magazine’s “The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time” list.
4. “The Wall” by Pink Floyd–23 million sold. Released as a double album in November 1979, “The Wall” is the 11th studio album by the English rock group Pink Floyd. Rolling Stone magazine ranked this as #87 on its “The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time” list.
5. “Back in Black” by AC/DC–21 million sold. This album by the iconic Australian rock band was released in 1980 and was the first one to be recorded without the former lead singer Bon Scott, who died February 1980 at just 33 years of age. Having sold an estimated 49 million copies worldwide, it is the 2nd highest-selling album of all time, as well as the best-selling album ever released by a band and by an Australian act.
6. “Greatest Hits Volumes I & II” by Billy Joel–21 million sold. Released in 1985, this album from the legendary artist has been certified double diamond by the RIAA, selling over 11.5 million copies and is tied with Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin for 3rd most certified album of all time.
7. “Double Live” by Garth Brooks–20 million sold. This high-selling album by country great Garth Brooks broke records the first week it was released, in November of 1998. It was a two disc compilation of live songs recorded during Brooks’ 2nd world tour in the same year as the album’s release. It was the best-selling live album since Peter Frampton’s album “Frampton Comes Alive” in 1976.
8. “Come on Over” by Shania Twain–20 million copies. Another country crooner to hit record sales, Shania Twain’s “Come on Over” album became the world’s best-selling country music album and the best-selling studio album ever released by a female artist, in any genre. Twain’s album debuted at #1 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart when released in 1997, and stayed at number one for 50 non-consecutive weeks.
9. “The Beatles” by The Beatles–19 million sold. The 9th official album by the British rock-stars, this one was released in 1968 and is commonly known as “The White Album”. Upon its release, it received mixed and positive reviews and soon hit #1 on the charts in both the UK and United States
10. “Rumours” by Fleetwood Mac–19 million sold. Recorded during 1976, this album by the iconic British-American rock band was released in 1977 to widespread acclaim and popularity. Also a Grammy Award winner, this album is still Fleetwood Mac’s most successful album release.