by Cicely Richard

Created on: July 07, 2008

It is hard to say who are the highest selling recording artists ever because the list is subject to many questions. What do they mean by highest selling? Are they counting singles, albums, and now Internet downloads? With all of these questions, who knows what people may or many not end up on the list? Nevertheless, the following list will show some of the people who should be honored with making this list.

No list would be complete without the name Elvis Presley, the "King of Rock and Roll." Whether you love him or you hate him, his impact on rock and roll cannot be denied. It is estimated that he has had more than 1 trillion album sales. When he was alive, Elvis recorded 77 albums and only nine of them failed to reach the Billboard Top Pop Album charts. He has remained a bestseller posthumously, as well. There have been box sets and reissues and releases that have added to his estate. In the early 21st century, he even had a hit song, "A Little Less Conversation." His music can be heard in movies and television.

Another must have on a music list is The Beatles, with more than 750 million sales. In their eight-year career, they recorded 12 original albums and gained international success. Even after the group split, their works have been remastered. A digital release of the Beatles entire collection is in the works to be offered on iTunes. This new technology will undoubtedly increase their sales even more.

Even though he has been getting a lot of unsavory press lately, Michael Jackson, "King of Pop," proved that a child music star could make it as an adult artist. His sales are estimated at more than 750 million. With The Jackson Five and as a solo artist, Jackson has released 11 albums and a number of record-breaking singles. This 1983 album Thriller is still considered one of the bestselling albums of all time. In 2008, a special 25th anniversary edition was released, showing his impact on the music industry.

Last, but not least, Frank Sinatra deserves to be on this list by virtue of his longevity in the entertainment industry. He is estimated to have more than 500 million in sales. Spanning back to the 1930s, "Ole Blue Eyes" was a multitalented entertainer, singing, dancing and acting. He even won an Academy Award for his work in From Here to Eternity. He performed continually almost to the end of his life in 1998. His music has become a symbol of New York City, and his image is inseparable from Las Vegas. And, hey. He got a stamp this year. What more can be said?

There are so many other great artist, but this is just a sample of a few who changed the face of music and made lasting impacts with their works.

Source:

http://www.top10land.com/top-ten-best-s elling-music-artists.html

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