Elvis Overtakes Garth Brooks In Album Sales

[Brian Quinn]

2 New RIAA Awards For Elvis.

It's the 2 Brookville Marketing albums (sold only on television).

'ELVIS' - issued in 1973 - 5 x Platinum

'Elvis IN Hollywood' - issued in 1976 1 x Platinum

Great news as this puts Elvis ahead of Garth Brooks again as the Biggest Selling Solo Album Artist of All-Time in the U.S.A. Brooks currently has 128 million and Elvis now has 129.5 million. There will soon be more on the way. The RIAA is always a few days late in updating their site in case some of you are wondering why it is not listed yet.

Brian :clap:

[kathy parkinson]

Yeah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WTG Elvis. Thanks Brian.

[rickb]

woo-hoo! Great news

[Lisarose]

Wouldn't have minded hearing Elvis do "The Dance" either - a little off-topic, but there it is.

[monk37]

if SOny and BMG had just released his original christmas album, instead of mixing the two under new names, there's be a lot more millions sold on that title too.

[janice mcclelland]

:hmm:I've never understood how Brooks sales figures could possibly come any where near Elvis!:lmfao:

[debtdbruno]

mismanagement again...........................

good news though, thanks Brian

[Albert]

:hmm:I've never understood how Brooks sales figures could possibly come any where near Elvis!:lmfao:

Yes, it's insane... nobody outside the US has ever heard of this Garth Brooks..... I'm quite happy that Elvis is leading again in the US (y)

[Diane]

:hmm:I've never understood how Brooks sales figures could possibly come any where near Elvis!:lmfao:

Also totally agree(y)

[KPM]

Garth Brooks in several tv interviews, has stated in his heart he knows Elvis has sold way more albums than he has no matter the "official totals" if the RIAA took single releases in the US into account then Elvis's being the overall solo top sales individual in the US is never in question.
But its always great to see Elvis where he should be officially.

[Tigerman1975]

Garth Brooks in several tv interviews, has stated in his heart he knows Elvis has sold way more albums than he has no matter the "official totals".

Thats big of him to say. Its true, but still kind. I think McCartney and Starr know it deep down inside. Even though they do run a close second.

[Albert]

2 New RIAA Awards For Elvis.

It's the 2 Brookville Marketing albums (sold only on television).

'ELVIS' - issued in 1973 - 5 x Platinum

'Elvis IN Hollywood' - issued in 1976 1 x Platinum

Great news as this puts Elvis ahead of Garth Brooks again as the Biggest Selling Solo Album Artist of All-Time in the U.S.A. Brooks currently has 128 million and Elvis now has 129.5 million. There will soon be more on the way. The RIAA is always a few days late in updating their site in case some of you are wondering why it is not listed yet.

Brian :clap:

how's it possible that the 1976 Elvis In Hollywood gets a platinum reward in 2010? I mean, where can you buy that album? Did they find old receipts somewhere? Doesn't that mean that Elvis missed income?

[monk37]

because they are US sales

and the RIAA rules work against Elvis.

heck, without Elvis, there wouldn't even be an RIAA - it's because he sold million selling singles consistently that the whole idea of gold records came about.

[seyeregit]

Who cares?!

Is this really the kind of drivel that supposed "fans" resort to now in discussions? Sheesh.

[monk37]

Who cares?!

Is this really the kind of drivel that supposed "fans" resort to now in discussions? Sheesh.

obviously the people who post care

and, since you don't - why not close the thread and go to one that's interesting to you

instead of dumping on other people for being interested in a topic?

[Brian Quinn]

because they are US sales

and the RIAA rules work against Elvis.

heck, without Elvis, there wouldn't even be an RIAA - it's because he sold million selling singles consistently that the whole idea of gold records came about.

You are so right. Take a look at the following:

Currently, the RIAA certification criteria for 'long-form' albums are:

500,000 units: Gold album.
1,000,000 units: Platinum album.
2,000,000 or more units: Multi-Platinum album.
10,000,000 units: Diamond album.

Multi-disc albums are counted once for each disc within the album if it is over 100 minutes in length. For example, each copy of OutKast's Speakerboxxx/The Love Below (running time of 134:56), and Shania Twain's Up! (145:44), both double albums, were counted twice, meaning each album was certified diamond after 5 million copies were shipped. The 100 minute requirement does not apply to albums released in the vinyl era so double albums such as Pink Floyd's The Wall and The Beatles' White Album are counted double even though their running times are under the minimum.

Two Elvis Albums e.g. 'Aloha From Hawaii' (currently 5XP) and 'Elvis In Concert' (currently 3XP) were originally released in double album format and because they were below the 100 minute rule they were disqualified for 'double sales'.

Apparently, the reason the 'Aloha' and 'Concert' albums do not qualify for 'double' RIAA sales is that when they were released on CD post 1982 they were on 1 CD whereas the Beatles and Pink Floyd Albums were 'always' 2 album and 2 CD packages. Looks as though BMG (yet again) were not taking care of busines at this time. However, even allowing for the RIAA rules as above, the two Elvis albums in their double vinyl form should count for double sales from 1973 to 1982 when sales would have been at their highest anyway. 'Aloha From Hawaii' should, in fact, qualify for a Diamond Award.

EPE have contacted Sony to try and sort the matter out with the RIAA.

Brian

[Jumpsuit Junkie]

The other problem Elvis suffers from is that so many albums are released in a bargain basement way! I have lost count how many best of Elvis albums have been released.

Another question as I'm not sure what the answer is.. How are downloaded sales from albums calculated?

[monk37]

It's also silly that sales of 1.1 million and 1.9 million are counted as a million.

that article, For the Millionth and the Last time on the Elvis Australia site is an excellent resource

[Albert]

Question: 500.000 = Gold

When an album then sells 1.000.000 and receives the Platinum award, does the artist have to return the Gold award?

And if the album sells 500.000 copies the next year (now 1.500.000 total), does the artist get ANOTHER gold award? Or does he have to wait for reaching the 2.000.000 (multi-platinum) award?

But coming back from my previous question: how's it possible that a 1978 compilation album suddenly gets a platinum award in 2010? It's not in the BMG/Sony catalogue?

[Brian Quinn]

Question: 500.000 = Gold

When an album then sells 1.000.000 and receives the Platinum award, does the artist have to return the Gold award?

And if the album sells 500.000 copies the next year (now 1.500.000 total), does the artist get ANOTHER gold award? Or does he have to wait for reaching the 2.000.000 (multi-platinum) award?

But coming back from my previous question: how's it possible that a 1978 compilation album suddenly gets a platinum award in 2010? It's not in the BMG/Sony catalogue?

Albert,

Answer to Question 1 - No.

Answer to Question 2 - No. Once the album has achieved Platinum status it will not be credited again until it has reached 2 X P.

Answer to Question 3 - Presumably either some sales receipts have just come to light or the RIAA have altered some of their rules to allow this.

Brian

[Jungleroom76]

Great news as this puts Elvis ahead of Garth Brooks again as the Biggest Selling Solo Album Artist of All-Time in the U.S.A. Brooks currently has 128 million and Elvis now has 129.5 million. There will soon be more on the way. The RIAA is always a few days late in updating their site in case some of you are wondering why it is not listed yet.


While this is certainly FANTASTIC news, we have to hope that the fans continue to buy the Elvis CD's out there so that he can continue to add to his total, especially now that Garth has come out of retirement. :hmm:

TCB!
Mike

[Jungleroom76]

But coming back from my previous question: how's it possible that a 1978 compilation album suddenly gets a platinum award in 2010? It's not in the BMG/Sony catalogue?

Certainly an interesting question Albert... :hmm:

I would be most intrigued to hear the official answer to that question!! ;)

TCB!
Mike

[Jungleroom76]

Two Elvis Albums e.g. 'Aloha From Hawaii' (currently 5XP) and 'Elvis In Concert' (currently 3XP) were originally released in double album format and because they were below the 100 minute rule they were disqualified for 'double sales'.

There ALWAYS has to be a catch when it comes to Elvis earning his rightful awards, doesn't there?? :angry:


Apparently, the reason the 'Aloha' and 'Concert' albums do not qualify for 'double' RIAA sales is that when they were released on CD post 1982 they were on 1 CD whereas the Beatles and Pink Floyd Albums were 'always' 2 album and 2 CD packages. Looks as though BMG (yet again) were not taking care of busines at this time. However, even allowing for the RIAA rules as above, the two Elvis albums in their double vinyl form should count for double sales from 1973 to 1982 when sales would have been at their highest anyway. 'Aloha From Hawaii' should, in fact, qualify for a Diamond Award.

It would certainly be THRILLING for Elvis fans to FINALLY see him receive some Diamond Awards. My guess is that the first one he'll probably receive is for his Christmas album, since that one always sells well during the holiday season each year!! :hmm:

Thanks so much as always for the information Brian....it's always interesting to read your information on this topic!! ;)

TCB!
Mike

[Jungleroom76]

Another question as I'm not sure what the answer is.. How are downloaded sales from albums calculated?

When it comes to Elvis, probably not the way they should be unfortunately... :angry:

TCB!
Mike

[KPM]

how's it possible that the 1976 Elvis In Hollywood gets a platinum reward in 2010? I mean, where can you buy that album? Did they find old receipts somewhere? Doesn't that mean that Elvis missed income?
They must have found receipts that were previously not included in his sales totals, and they must have satified the RIAA requirements (which are fairly strict)
Since the 1973 sale of all recordings up to 1973 included the Movie soundtracks-Elvis got no artists royaltees for them so he did not lose any income. But if any of the songs were published by his companies then the estate may indeed be owed some publishing income.

[KPM]

Its not drivel to the people who have posted, I suggest you avoid the theads "which you find drivel"
We all recognise here that some threads are not for everyone, and we respect that-but all her are "fans"!

[Tigerman1975]

Yes, it's insane... nobody outside the US has ever heard of this Garth Brooks..... I'm quite happy that Elvis is leading again in the US (y)


I am not a big fan of his, but his album sales speak for themselves. His touring record is rediculous in the US too. He sold out arenas everywhere in the 1990's. Then he retired from touring and recording. he just came back out of retirement like two years ago. Now he's like the Rolling Stones of country music. He just tours endlessly playing the old hits. Just the same, he's no different than the Beatles(who I love) or Michael Jackson. They are right there at the top with Elvis and Brooks in album sales, but like Brooks, deep down inside they know that none of them could have polished Elvis' boots. Just an opinion.

[john carpenter]

It used to upset me when i heard Someone Surpassed Elvis, not anymore. Elvis was & is #1 in my book and always will be the King of Music