Elvis Presley. According to the Guinness Book of World Records, Elvis Presley is still the best-selling artist in music history with more than 1 billion album and song sales worldwide.
As of June 8, 2023, The Beatles have the highest total certified albums and Drake has the highest total certified digital singles. Michael Jackson, Mariah Carey, Eminem, and Taylor Swift are the only acts in the top 30 of both lists.
Holder of the most Guinness World Records. Ashrita has set more than 700 official Guinness Records since 1979 and currently holds more than 200 standing records – including the official record for the most records held at the same time by an individual. This opens in a new window.
Pearl Jam. Grateful Dead may have released the most live albums in history — 167, to be exact — but Pearl Jam hold the record for most live tracks released in one week. In 2021, the classic rock band put out a full digital archive called Deep, containing 5,404 live songs compiled over a span of 14 years of touring.
The Beatles have the most No. 1 hits of all time: 20. Though unclear for how long, the Beatles still reign supreme as the artist with the most No. 1 songs of all time.
The Black Album — Prince
Today, original copies of The Black Album are the rarest vinyl records you can find. It's not even known how many copies are still out there, though almost all that have been sold were promo copies that had already been sent to journalists and radio stations.
If you want to set or break a world record, you'll need to get in touch with the Guinness World Records people. Be patient, though. They receive more than 50,000 inquiries each year from potential record-breakers!
Jesse Owens (USA) (1913-80) set six world records in 45 minutes at Ann Arbor, Michigan on 25 May 1935. Comments below may relate to previous holders of this record.
Over the course of Elvis' life, he achieved some of the highest accolades in music and film. It is estimated that more than one billion Elvis records have been sold worldwide, more than anyone in record industry history.
Elvis Presley, recognised as the best-selling solo music artist of all time by Guinness World Records, sold over 400.
Frankie Laine – I Believe (18 weeks)
Famous composer Mantovani then claimed the Number 1 spot, before Frankie gave him a nudge and racked up an additional three weeks. Only five songs in history have scored three separate stints at the top!
Top-selling artists worldwide as of 2022
Perhaps unsurprisingly, British rock band The Beatles are top of the list for best-selling artists worldwide, with 183 million units certified sales. Second is Garth Brooks with over 157 million units sales, followed by Elvis Presley with 139 million units.
1. Elvis Presley, "King of Rock N' Roll" Elvis Presley is designated to be the King of Rock and Roll.
Contrary to what many people believe, entering the Guinness Book of World Records does not have any type of economic compensation. Therefore, you will not receive a single euro, pound or dollar for breaking a record.
Pricing. All existing record titles (those already in our records database) are free of charge through the standard application process. If you want to apply for a new record title (something that you cannot find in our database), a non-refundable administration fee of £5/$5 (plus VAT) applies.
Jackson holds the record of longest span of number ones for a male act in the Billboard Hot 100 with a span of 25 years and seven months. Jackson has had 13 number-one singles on Billboard's Hot 100, making him the male artist with most No. 1 Hits in the Hot 100 era.
Wu-Tang Clan: Once Upon a Time in Shaolin - $2 million The most expensive vinyl record is Wu-Tang Clan: Once Upon a Time in Shaolin which sold for $2 million! The reason for this record's price was due to the fact that only one copy was ever made.