Elvis Overtakes Garth Brooks In Album Sales

[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.

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...

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??

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!!

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...

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

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