The 60th Annual Grammy Awards ceremony will be broadcast live from Madison Square Garden in New York City on Sunday, January 28. The awards show is intended showcase and honor the talents and contributions of the best musicians working in the recording industry today.
While many of the 2018 Grammy nominees top the Billboard charts and are some of the best-selling musicians today, few are among the best-selling artists of all time.
To determine the best-selling Grammy Award winners of all time, 24/7 Wall St. analyzed album and digital singles sales data from the Recording Industry Association of America. Artists were ranked according to their combined album and digital single sales and were only considered if they have won at least one Grammy Award.
Click here to see the full list of the best-selling Grammy Award winners of all time.
The Grammys can introduce artists to new audiences, and often lead to a boost in sales and popularity. Yet while album sales of Grammy winners can more than double in the week following the show and often increase fourfold for performers, the most decorated musicians are not necessarily the best-selling.
Elvis Presley, for example, sold millions of records before the Grammy Awards began. Elvis scored his first No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 with “Heartbreak Hotel” in 1956 — three years before the first Grammy Awards ceremony was held in 1959. Despite being the second best selling artist of all time, Elvis has won just three Grammy Awards.
Many of the artists with the most Grammy Awards have never even had a Gold-certified album. Composers Georg Solti, Pierre Boulez, and Vladimir Horowitz — who are the first, fourth, and fifth top Grammy-winning artists of all time respectively and have a combined 82 awards — are largely recognized for their contributions to classical music and opera and rarely cross over into mainstream popularity.
Similarly, some of the top selling artists have never won a Grammy. Despite her 13 Grammy nominations, Katy Perry — who with 6.0 million album and 91.5 million digital single sales is the 10th best selling artist of all time — has yet to win a Grammy Award.
Several top rock acts of the 1980s, such as Journey, Guns N’ Roses, and Foreigner have never won a Grammy Award despite each selling over 45 million albums and singles. Other top selling musicians without a Grammy include Luke Bryan, Kenny Chesney, and Flo Rida.
Most of the best-selling Grammy winners are not contemporary acts. Physical and digital music sales around the world fell approximately 45% over the last 17 years, from $23.8 billion in 1999 to $13.2 billion in 2016. As music-sharing technology changes and consumer demand for traditional albums and singles fall, newer musicians may find it harder to achieve the album sales of their predecessors. Just nine of the 50 best selling Grammy winners of all time are among the current class of Grammy nominees.
To determine the best selling Grammy Award winners, 24/7 Wall St. analyzed album and digital singles sales data from the Recording Industry Association of America. Artists were ranked according to their combined album and digital single sales and were only considered if they have won at least one Grammy Award. Grammy Award wins and nominations for every artist came from the Recording Academy. Data on best selling albums or singles also came from the RIAA. Greatest hits and other compilation albums were not considered for an artist’s best selling album.
Source: Kevin Winter / Getty Images
50. Lil Wayne
> Sales: 10.0 million albums, 32.0 million digital singles
> Grammy history: 5 wins, 24 nominations
> Best selling album or single: “Lollipop”
[in-text-ad]
Source: Kevin Winter / Getty Images
49. Eric Clapton
> Sales: 40.0 million albums, 3.5 million digital singles
> Grammy history: 17 wins, 36 nominations
> Best selling album or single: “Unplugged”
Source: Theo Wargo / Getty Images
48. Jay-Z
> Sales: 27.5 million albums, 16.5 million digital singles
> Grammy history: 21 wins, 74 nominations
> Best selling album or single: “Hard Knock Life, Volume 2”
Source: Malcolm Clarke / Keystone / Getty Images
47. Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band
> Sales: 44.5 million albums
> Grammy history: 1 win, 2 nominations
> Best selling album or single: “Night Moves”
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: Ryan Steffy / Getty Images
46. The Weeknd
> Sales: 7.0 million albums, 38.0 million digital singles
> Grammy history: 2 wins, 10 nominations
> Best selling album or single: “The Hills”
Source: Terry Wyatt / Getty Images
45. Alan Jackson
> Sales: 43.5 million albums, 2.0 million digital singles
> Grammy history: 2 wins, 20 nominations
> Best selling album or single: “A Lot About Livin’ (And A Little ‘Bout Love)”
[in-text-ad]
Source: Mike Coppola / Getty Images
44. Bon Jovi
> Sales: 34.5 million albums, 11.5 million digital singles
> Grammy history: 1 win, 9 nominations
> Best selling album or single: “Slippery When Wet”
Source: Gustavo Caballero / Getty Images
43. Alabama
> Sales: 46.5 million albums
> Grammy history: 2 wins, 13 nominations
> Best selling album or single: “Mountain Music”
Source: Theo Wargo / Getty Images
42. Santana
> Sales: 43.5 million albums, 3.0 million digital singles
> Grammy history: 10 wins, 14 nominations
> Best selling album or single: “Supernatural”
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: Theo Wargo / Getty Images
41. Kenny G
> Sales: 48.0 million albums
> Grammy history: 1 win, 17 nominations
> Best selling album or single: “Breathless”
Source: Ethan Miller / Getty Images
40. Kenny Rogers
> Sales: 47.5 million albums, 2.0 million digital singles
> Grammy history: 3 wins, 19 nominations
> Best selling album or single: “The Gambler”
[in-text-ad]
Source: Christopher Polk / Getty Images
39. Carrie Underwood
> Sales: 19.0 million albums, 31.0 million digital singles
> Grammy history: 7 wins, 14 nominations
> Best selling album or single: “Some Hearts”
Source: Noam Galai / Getty Images
38. Fleetwood Mac
> Sales: 49.5 million albums, 1.0 million digital singles
> Grammy history: 2 wins, 7 nominations
> Best selling album or single: “Rumours”
Source: Theo Wargo / Getty Images
37. Ed Sheeran
> Sales: 8.0 million albums, 42.5 million digital singles
> Grammy history: 2 wins, 13 nominations
> Best selling album or single: “Thinking Out Loud”
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: Jim Rogash / Getty Images
36. Neil Diamond
> Sales: 49.5 million albums, 3.5 million digital singles
> Grammy history: 1 win, 13 nominations
> Best selling album or single: “The Jazz Singer” (soundtrack)
Source: Mike Coppola / Getty Images
35. U2
> Sales: 52.0 million albums, 2.0 million digital singles
> Grammy history: 22 wins, 46 nominations
> Best selling album or single: “The Joshua Tree”
[in-text-ad]
Source: Ethan Miller / Getty Images
34. Celine Dion
> Sales: 50.0 million albums, 4.0 million digital singles
> Grammy history: 5 wins, 16 nominations
> Best selling album or single: “Falling Into You”
Source: Gerardo Mora / Getty Images
33. Shania Twain
> Sales: 48.0 million albums, 6.5 million digital singles
> Grammy history: 5 wins, 18 nominations
> Best selling album or single: “Come On Over”
Source: Kevin Winter / Getty Images
32. Linkin Park
> Sales: 27.0 million albums, 29.5 million digital singles
> Grammy history: 2 wins, 6 nominations
> Best selling album or single: “Hybrid Theory”
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: Ethan Miller / Getty Images
31. Van Halen
> Sales: 56.5 million albums, 500,000 digital singles
> Grammy history: 1 win, 3 nominations
> Best selling album or single: “1984”
Source: Ethan Miller / Getty Images
30. Chris Brown
> Sales: 9.0 million albums, 49.5 million digital singles
> Grammy history: 1 win, 16 nominations
> Best selling album or single: “Look At Me Now”
[in-text-ad]
Source: Kevin Winter / Getty Images
29. Adele
> Sales: 28.0 million albums, 31.5 million digital singles
> Grammy history: 15 wins, 18 nominations
> Best selling album or single: “21”
24/7 Wall St.
Source: Kevin Winter / Getty Images
28. Tim McGraw
> Sales: 37.5 million albums, 22.5 million digital singles
> Grammy history: 3 wins, 20 nominations
> Best selling album or single: “Not A Moment Too Soon”
Source: Christopher Polk / Getty Images
27. Kanye West
> Sales: 12.0 million albums, 50.5 million digital singles
> Grammy history: 21 wins, 68 nominations
> Best selling album or single: “Stronger”
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: Para Griffin / Getty Images
26. Bruno Mars
> Sales: 11.0 million albums, 52.5 million digital singles
> Grammy history: 5 wins, 27 nominations
> Best selling album or single: “Just The Way You Are”
Source: Harry How / Getty Images
25. Bruce Springsteen
> Sales: 65.5 million albums
> Grammy history: 20 wins, 50 nominations
> Best selling album or single: “Born In The U.S.A.”
[in-text-ad]
Source: Michael Loccisano / Getty Images
24. Drake
> Sales: 14.5 million albums, 52.0 million digital singles
> Grammy history: 3 wins, 35 nominations
> Best selling album or single: “Hotline Bling”
24/7 Wall St.
Source: Ronald Martinez / Getty Images
23. Lady Gaga
> Sales: 8.0 million albums, 60.0 million digital singles
> Grammy history: 6 wins, 19 nominations
> Best selling album or single: “Bad Romance”
Source: Keystone / Getty Images
22. The Rolling Stones
> Sales: 66.5 million albums, 2.5 million digital singles
> Grammy history: 2 wins, 12 nominations
> Best selling album or single: “Hot Rocks”
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: Mauricio Santana / Getty Images
21. Metallica
> Sales: 63.0 million albums, 6.0 million digital singles
> Grammy history: 8 wins, 18 nominations
> Best selling album or single: “Metallica”
Source: Peter Kramer / Getty Images
20. Aerosmith
> Sales: 66.5 million albums, 3.0 million digital singles
> Grammy history: 4 wins, 14 nominations
> Best selling album or single: “Toys In The Attic”
[in-text-ad]
Source: Newsmakers / Getty Images
19. AC/DC
> Sales: 72.0 million albums
> Grammy history: 1 win, 7 nominations
> Best selling album or single: “Back In Black”
Source: Rick Diamond / Getty Images
18. George Strait
> Sales: 69.0 million albums, 3.0 million digital singles
> Grammy history: 1 win, 16 nominations
> Best selling album or single: “Strait Out Of The Box”
Source: Kevin Winter / Getty Images
17. Barbra Streisand
> Sales: 68.5 million albums, 3.5 million digital singles
> Grammy history: 8 wins, 44 nominations
> Best selling album or single: “A Christmas Album”
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: Kevin Winter / Getty Images
16. Whitney Houston
> Sales: 58.5 million albums, 17.5 million digital singles
> Grammy history: 6 wins, 25 nominations
> Best selling album or single: “The Bodyguard” (soundtrack)
Source: MJ Kim / Getty Images
15. Pink Floyd
> Sales: 75.0 million albums, 1.5 million digital singles
> Grammy history: 1 win, 4 nominations
> Best selling album or single: “The Wall”
[in-text-ad]
Source: Theo Wargo / Getty Images
14. Eminem
> Sales: 44.5 million albums, 34.0 million digital singles
> Grammy history: 15 wins, 43 nominations
> Best selling album or single: “Love The Way You Lie (feat. Rihanna)”
Source: Mike Windle / Getty Images
13. Justin Bieber
> Sales: 12.5 million albums, 68.5 million digital singles
> Grammy history: 1 win, 10 nominations
> Best selling album or single: “Baby (feat. Ludacris)”
Source: Kevin Winter / Getty Images
12. Madonna
> Sales: 64.5 million albums, 18.5 million digital singles
> Grammy history: 7 wins, 28 nominations
> Best selling album or single: “Like a Virgin”
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: Theo Wargo / Getty Images
11. Billy Joel
> Sales: 82.5 million albums, 4.5 million digital singles
> Grammy history: 5 wins, 23 nominations
> Best selling album or single: “The Stranger”
Source: Tommaso Boddi / Getty Images
10. Mariah Carey
> Sales: 64.0 million albums, 23.0 million digital singles
> Grammy history: 5 wins, 34 nominations
> Best selling album or single: “Daydream”
[in-text-ad]
Source: Phil Walter / Getty Images
9. Michael Jackson
> Sales: 81.0 million albums, 19.5 million digital singles
> Grammy history: 13 wins, 38 nominations
> Best selling album or single: “Thriller”
24/7 Wall St.
Source: Ian Gavan / Getty Images
8. Elton John
> Sales: 78.0 million albums, 22.5 million digital singles
> Grammy history: 5 wins, 34 nominations
> Best selling album or single: “Something About The Way You Look Tonight/Candle In The Wind 1997”
Source: Rick Diamond / Getty Images
7. Eagles
> Sales: 101.0 million albums, 2.5 million digital singles
> Grammy history: 6 wins, 18 nominations
> Best selling album or single: “Hotel California”
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: Danny Martindale / Getty Images
6. Led Zeppelin
> Sales: 111.5 million albums, 500,000 digital singles
> Grammy history: 1 win, 3 nominations
> Best selling album or single: “Led Zeppelin IV”
Source: Christopher Polk / Getty Images
5. Rihanna
> Sales: 13.5 million albums, 120.5 million digital singles
> Grammy history: 8 wins, 33 nominations
> Best selling album or single: “We Found Love”
[in-text-ad]
Source: Jamie McCarthy / Getty Images
4. Taylor Swift
> Sales: 41.5 million albums, 106.5 million digital singles
> Grammy history: 10 wins, 31 nominations
> Best selling album or single: “Fearless”
24/7 Wall St.
Source: Rick Diamond / Getty Images
3. Garth Brooks
> Sales: 148.0 million albums, 500,000 digital singles
> Grammy history: 2 wins, 14 nominations
> Best selling album or single: “Double Live”
Source: Keystone / Getty Images
2. Elvis Presley
> Sales: 136.0 million albums, 50.5 million digital singles
> Grammy history: 3 wins, 14 nominations
> Best selling album or single: “Elvis’ Christmas Album”
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: Fox Photos / Getty Images
1. The Beatles
> Sales: 178.0 million albums, 24.5 million digital singles
> Grammy history: 7 wins, 23 nominations
> Best selling album or single: “The Beatles”
Sponsored: Want to Retire Early? Here’s a Great First Step
Want retirement to come a few years earlier than you’d planned? Or are you ready to retire now, but want an extra set of eyes on your finances?
Now you can speak with up to 3 financial experts in your area for FREE. By simply clicking here you can begin to match with financial professionals who can help you build your plan to retire early. And the best part? The first conversation with them is free.
Click here to match with up to 3 financial pros who would be excited to help you make financial decisions.
Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.
Editors' Picks
