The Highest Selling Artists of All Time

The music industry is constantly changing, and so are the top artists in it. What may have been a surefire hit for an artist in the 20th century may not have been as lucrative in the new century. Let’s look at some of the highest selling artists of all time. Read on to find out who they are and how much money they’ve earned from their music.

Elvis Presley

Elvis Presley was one of the first rock and roll artists to have a massive impact on mainstream culture, and he did it before anyone knew what “rock and roll” was. From the very beginning, Elvis was a force to be reckoned with, and he quickly became one of the most recognizable faces in pop culture.
Elvis was a regular on the charts during his time in the public eye. He had a string of number one hits during the 1950s and 1960s, and his songs were frequently on the charts when he wasn’t even actively releasing new music. Elvis has earned a massive $1.3 billion in music sales and $340 million in radio earnings.

Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson was one of the most successful and recognizable artists of the 20th century. During his time in the spotlight, he had a record-breaking impact on popular culture, and he was a figure that people around the world looked up to. Jackson’s success is a testament to his talent, but also to the variety of ways that his music has been consumed. He earned a total of $1.2 billion in music sales and $390 million in radio earnings.

The Beatles

From their start in 1960 to the end of their career in 1970, The Beatles were one of the most popular musical groups in the world. They have sold more than 900 million audio recordings, which is the highest number of any musical act. The group was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988, which cemented their status as one of the most successful musical acts ever. The Beatles have earned an unprecedented $1.1 billion in music sales and $270 million in radio earnings.

Adele

Adele has been in the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100 for ten straight years, and she was the first woman to have five consecutive albums hit number one since Aretha Franklin did it in 1968. Adele’s music has also been featured in millions of movies and television shows, which has helped her to become such a well-known artist. Adele has earned a massive $1 billion in music sales and $240 million in radio earnings.

Bob Marley

Marley is one of the founding fathers of contemporary reggae music, and he has been making music for more than 50 years. Marley’s music has been featured in countless commercials, which has helped his earnings to reach new heights. His music is also immensely popular among the LGBT community. Marley has earned a massive $850 million in music sales and $110 million in radio earnings.

David Bowie

Bowie’s music has been featured in countless movies and television shows, making him one of the most well-known artists of all time. He also has a successful career in music, earning a staggering $600 million in album sales and $90 million in radio earnings. Bowie has been active in the music industry for more than 50 years, and he has released dozens of albums and tracks.

Pink Floyd

Pink Floyd have sold more than 2 billion albums worldwide, and they have been nominated for more than 20 Grammy awards. During their active years, Pink Floyd had a handful of successful singles and albums. These days, their music is mostly available on CDs and DVDs, which has helped to keep their income high. Pink Floyd has earned a massive $850 million in music sales and $90 million in radio earnings.

Bon Jovi

Bon Jovi have sold more than 100 million albums worldwide, and they have also had a successful career as actors. During their active years, they had a handful of hit singles and albums, and they have continued to release new music and tour after their initial heyday. Bon Jovi have been one of the most successful musical acts of the past few decades, and they have earned a massive $1.8 billion in music sales and $190 million in radio earnings.

Justin Bieber

Bieber has many number one hits on the Billboard Hot 100 and has been nominated for many Grammys. Although Bieber has been able to stay relevant for several decades, his income has been bolstered by his successful music career, which is relatively new. Bieber has earned a massive $1.1 billion in music sales and $220 million in radio earnings.