New data has revealed the best-selling album of all time in America, with an unexpected artist taking the title.
Worldwide, Michael Jackson‘s ‘Thriller‘ is still the most popular record of all time, with 47 million copies sold. However, in the States, the late icon’s seminal album has now been overtaken.
The Eagles‘ ‘Their Greatest Hits (1971-1975)‘, which was originally released in 1976, has been confirmed to be the best-selling album of all-time in the US, with the Recording Industry Association Of America (RIAA) reporting sales of 38 million copies. ‘Thriller’, meanwhile, is five million behind at 33 million copies.
Sales for the greatest hits record were last tallied in 2006 when it was 29 times platinum. ‘Thriller”s sales were updated last year.
In a statement, The Eagles’ Don Henley said: “We are grateful for our families, our management, our crew, the people at radio and, most of all, the loyal fans who have stuck with us through the ups and downs of 46 years. It’s been quite a ride.”
The new figures include streaming statistics. According to the RIAA’s rules, 1,500 streams of an album or 10 song downloads are equal to one album sale.
The body also confirmed The Eagles’ 1977 album ‘Hotel California‘ is now 26 times platinum, making it the third best-selling album of all time in the US.
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Meanwhile, the band’s guitarist Joe Walsh joined Foo Fighters onstage in Boston last month (July 22). During the Dave Grohl-led group’s set at Fenway Park, Walsh made an appearance to perform his 1973 track ‘Rocky Mountain Way’.
Last year, it was reported The Eagles were to sue a Mexican hotel named Hotel California over the use of the phrase. The band argued that the hotel, which is located in Todos Santos, “actively encourages” guests to believe it is associated with them.