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.
“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.”
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.
