The best-selling album of all time is now the Eagles’ “Their Greatest Hits 1971-1975” — which was originally released in 1976.
The top spot was previously held by Michael Jackson’s “Thriller,” originally released in 1982.
The Recording Industry Association of America revealed to the Associated Press on Monday that the Eagles’ “Greatest Hits” album has sold 38 million copies.
Jackson’s “Thriller” has sold 33 million copies.
Now behind “Thriller” as the third best-selling album of all time is the Eagles’ “Hotel California,” which has sold 26 million copies.
Because of the growing popularity of streaming, the Recording Industry Association counts not only album sales today, but also “plays” on services such as YouTube and Spotify; the association counts 1,500 streams as equal to one album sale.
“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,” Don Henley, a co-founder of the Eagles, said in a public statement.
The Eagles formed their group in Los Angeles in 1971.
The founding members were the late Glenn Frey (vocals, guitar), Don Henley (vocals, drums), Bernie Leadon (vocals, guitar), and Randy Meisner (vocals, bass guitar).
The band was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1998 and received the Kennedy Center Honor in 2016.
They have won six Grammy Awards — and have sold more than 100 million albums.
Since Frey passed away in 2017, the band has toured with Vince Gill in the singer’s place.
Eagles' 'Greatest Hits' has now overtaken Michael Jackson's 'Thriller' as the best-selling album of all time https://t.co/1X8hwlU5vO pic.twitter.com/hUfMo6CyoO
— Rolling Stone (@RollingStone) August 20, 2018
The Eagles score biggest-selling album of all time in US, surpassing Thriller https://t.co/VVrNG7yPCZ
— The Guardian (@guardian) August 20, 2018
@JOXRoundtable Went to the Eagles concert in B’ham this April. They opened with Seven Bridges Rd. The concert was awesome!! They still sound great. Of course, Vince Gill & Glenn Frey’s son help the vocals a lot.
— Candi Mills (@cam3150) August 20, 2018
To see Don Henley talk more about the Eagles, check out the video below:
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