Beatles Named Most Successful Recording Act Of The Century
Although it's been nearly thirty years since the Beatles split up, the Fab Four are still the most successful recording act of the century, according to the Recording Industry Association of America's recently released "Artists Of The Century" list.
The Beatles have sold more than 106 million albums in the U.S. alone, beating out their nearest competition, Garth Brooks, by over 15 million. The Beatles are the only group with five Diamond Awards, presented for sales of a release in excess of ten million. The Beatles' Diamond certified albums include 1967's "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Heart's Club Band," 1968's "The Beatles" (often referred to as "The White Album"), 1969's "Abbey Road," and two double album compilations released in 1973, "1962-1966" and "1967-1970" (referred to as "The Red Album" and "The Blue Album," respectively).
It's been a good month for the Fab Four: a newly released special "The Greatest Entertainers 1950-2000" issue of "Entertainment Weekly" namedthem the top entertainers of the past fifty years.
And earlier this month, a British "Music Of The Millennium" poll revealed that in their homeland, the Beatles are still considered to be the best rock group of all time. Other Beatle wins in the poll included John Lennon nabbing "Most Influencial Musician" (with Paul McCartney coming in fifth) and "Best Songwriter" (followed by Sir Paul at number 2), and that "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Heart's Club Band" is the best album of all time (with "Revolver" coming in third).Other acts named in the RIAA's "Artists Of The Century" include Michael Jackson, the top selling R&B artist overall; Whitney Houston, the top selling female R&B artist; and Boyz II Men, the top selling R&B group.Meanwhile, Led Zeppelin was named the top hard rock artist, U2 the top alternative rock act, and Madonna the best selling female rock artist.
