Michael Jackson’s ‘Thriller’ Sets New Sales Record, Topping Eagles, Billy Joel, Beatles

1982 smash becomes first album to sell 30 million copies in the U.S.

| December 16, 2015 @ 2:11 PM

As unlikely as it may seem, Adele isn’t the only artist capable of breaking a sales record.

More than six years after Michael Jackson’s death, his landmark album “Thriller” has become the first album to be certified 30 times multi-platinum in the United States.

Overall, the 1982 collection has sold more than 100 million copies worldwide, while Jackson has sold more than 1 billion albums throughout the world.

Also Read: Michael Jackson Series in Works at Warner Bros. TV in New Deal With Tavis Smiley

“RIAA has awarded Gold & Platinum records on behalf of the music business for nearly 60 years, but this is the first time an artist has crossed the 30X multi-Platinum plateau,” said Cary Sherman, Chairman & CEO of the RIAA. “We are honored to celebrate the unique status of Thriller in Gold & Platinum history. What an exceptional achievement and testament to ‘Thriller’s’ enduring spot in our hearts and musical history.”

“Thriller” became the first album to be certified 20 times multi-platinum in 1984, but since then a number of albums have passed that summit. While the 30-million sales mark is certainly remarkable, the album’s sales are hardly a blowout.

Coming in a close second is The Eagles’ “Their Greatest Hits 1971-1975,” which has so far sold 29 million copies, while another compilation, Billy Joel‘s “Greatest Hits Volume I & Volume II,” is in third with 23 million copies sold. Also selling 23 million copies each: “Led Zeppelin IV” and Pink Floyd’s “The Wall.”

Also Read: Paul McCartney Unearths Lost Michael Jackson Vocals, Posts New Video (Video)

AC/DC’s “Back in Black” is in sixth place with 22 million copies sold to date.

Read the Top 10 best-selling albums in America below.

riaa top selling albums

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The average face-value ticket price of the 15 most expensive music performers in North America, according to Pollstar

Britney Spears
The pop singer started her residency at the Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas in 2013. Average ticket prices for her shows are around $139.17.

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