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17 Best-Selling Musicians of All Time

Published: April 25, 2024 by Liam Frady

Who are the best-selling musicians of all time? A few artists on today’s list aren’t likely to be a huge surprise. However, there were some shocks to be found when I was researching this article, which is always a pleasant problem to have. So, let’s skip the pleasantries and dive right in.

Pink Floyd

One of my all-time favorite bands doesn’t come as a surprise when looking at best-selling musicians. Pink Floyd’s “The Wall” spent a staggering amount of time on the Billboard charts during the 1980s and the band has proven to be a staple of classic rock to this day. At 124.2 million sales in total, they’ve earned the right to be among the best-selling musicians of all time.

AC/DC

It seems everyone loves Australian hard rockers AC/DC. With 131.7 million records sold since their first-charted record in 1975, they’re in the running for best-selling musicians of all time. I’ll admit this one caught me off guard, but is perfectly understandable considering how often you hear the band on classic rock radio stations.

Led Zeppelin

Hard rockers Led Zeppelin elevated blues rock beyond the more progressive stylings of groups like Cream and The Jimi Hendrix Experience. Given that the band is instantly recognizable when talking about massive groups of the 1970s, their status as best-selling musicians isn’t a surprise. The band has sold a confirmed 142.9 million records at the time of this writing.

Celine Dion

While Celine Dion has mostly stepped away from the limelight these days, it was impossible to avoid her in the 1990s. When you couple together her own solo success with the mammoth soundtrack behind James Cameron’s Titanic, it makes perfect sense that the singer would be one of the best-selling musicians of all time. Her first charted record goes back to 1981, and she’s got a staggering 144.28 million sold in total.

Eagles

The famously dysfunctional Eagles were one of the biggest rock bands to come out of the 1970s. Hits like “Hotel California”, “Desperado”, and “Life in the Fast Lane” have made them staples on classic rock stations to this day. However, it’s the 153.7 million records sold that have cemented them as one of the best-selling musicians of all time.

Whitney Houston

Singer Whitney Houston left us too soon, but she’s certainly cemented her place as one of the best-selling musicians of all time. From her debut single to the tail end of her career, Houston was able to sell 164.5 million records.

Madonna

Madonna was the literal queen of pop music in the 1980s and was able to capitalize on her fame and success for more chart-topping hits during the 90s and early 2000s. As such, it isn’t a surprise she’s one of the best-selling musicians of all time. At 185.8 million confirmed sales, I’m honestly more shocked the number isn’t higher.

Queen

Queen is one of the legendary rock bands to step out of the United Kingdom. While their output has cooled since the tragic death of founding member Freddie Mercury, the band hasn’t lost its appeal. At 186.8 million confirmed sales, they rank among the best-selling musicians and a sports stadium staple to this very day.

Elton John

Singer Elton John has just recently retired from actively touring. Whether it’s memorializing Princess Di or going on record-breaking tours with fellow pianist Billy Joel, it isn’t hard to see the artist’s appeal. At 213.1 million confirmed sales, he ranks among the best-selling musicians of all time.

Elvis Presley

Elvis enjoys continued success, especially in light of recent films depicting events in his life. That said, The King has a staggering 234.3 million records sold. All things considered, that isn’t too shabby given his tragic death in 1977. There is something truly timeless about some of his records.

Mariah Carey

You might be forgiven for thinking there was a long-standing rivalry between Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston. Both of these massive talents have rightly earned their spots as best-selling musicians. Mariah Carey is certainly living up to the title of Queen of Christmas the internet has bestowed on her with 222.72 million records sold.

Beyonce

Destiny’s Child was huge during the tail end of the 1990s and early 2000s. However, singer Beyonce came into her own in 2002 at the start of her solo career. At 245.3 million records sold since her solo debut, there is no question as to whether she’s one of the best-selling musicians of all time.

Michael Jackson

The King of Pop didn’t earn the nickname resting on his laurels. While the Jackson Five were certainly a massive group in the 1970s, it was a solo career that helped Michael Jackson etch his name in pop music history. At 286.7 million confirmed sales, he’s among the best-selling musicians of all time.

Taylor Swift

You cannot go anywhere online without hearing some of the discourse surrounding Taylor Swift. Unsurprisingly, she’s one of the best-selling musicians of all time, with records charting since 2006. At the time of this writing, she stands at a staggering 290.2 million records sold.

The Beatles

You can’t help but love The Fab Four. Despite their last official release coming out at the tail end of the 1960s, their songs have a timeless quality to help generations of listeners relate to the topics at hand. It doesn’t come as a surprise that The Beatles rank among the best-selling musicians of all time. At 294 million confirmed sales, it is more of a shock that they didn’t sell more.

Eminem

The sole rapper on our list might not come as a surprise. Eminem set the standard for hip-hop in many ways, gaining awards, sales, and lasting appeal across multiple generations. At 336.45 million records sold since his 1999 debut, he topples giants like The Beatles and Michael Jackson with ease.

Rihanna

Dance music has a timeless appeal, and for Rihanna, it is just one of many ventures under her belt. At 371.7 million confirmed sales, she ranks at the top of our list of best-selling musicians. She found the time to do this and found a fashion label and makeup line.