Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers lead the Recording Industry Association of America’s latest pack of album-sales award-winners by claiming their first diamond award.
The RIAA has given its diamond award, which signifies U.S. shipment of 10 million copies, to Petty & the Heartbreakers’ 1993 best-of set, “Greatest Hits.”
Also putting up double digits during this certification round are Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel, and classic rockers Boston. Simon and Garfunkel’s current reunion tour apparently helped push the duo’s 1972 “Greatest Hits” collection past the 14-million mark, while Boston’s self-titled 1976 debut has shipped 17 million copies.
Other veterans hitting sales milestones include the late Johnny Cash, who scores his first platinum studio album with his final recording, “American IV: The Man Comes Around”; Rod Stewart, whose “As Time Goes By … The Great American Songbook, Vol. 2,” has gone platinum, and whose “Vol. 1” edition has achieved double-platinum status; Outkast, whose “Speakerboxxx/The Love Below” is now certified quadruple platinum; and Michael McDonald, whose “Motown” covers collection is has gone gold, signifying U.S. shipment of 500,000 copies.
Also among the albums recognized are Alicia Keys’ “Songs in A Minor” with 6 million copies; Vince Gill’s “Souvenirs” with 3 million copies; Audioslave’s self-titled debut and Clay Aiken’s “Measure of a Man” with 2 million copies each; and Dido’s “Life for Rent,” Ludacris’ “Chicken & Beer” and DMX’s “The Grand Champ,” each with 1 million copies.
The Eagles’ “Their Greatest Hits 1971-1975” remains the top-selling album of all time, with certification of 28 million copies; Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” follows with 26 million copies.
Source Pollstar.com.
