25 All-Time Best-Selling Music Artists in the U.S.

The music industry is one of constant evolution. New genres emerge, streaming reshapes the landscape, and viral hits explode onto the charts. Yet, amidst the change, certain artists have managed to carve out legendary careers—defined not just by their hits but by their massive sales, cultural influence, and timeless appeal.

In the U.S., measuring a musician’s success goes beyond just chart-topping singles. It includes album sales, digital downloads, streaming numbers, and the undeniable mark they leave on music history. From pioneers like Elvis Presley to global icons like Michael Jackson, these artists didn’t just make music—they shaped the very fabric of popular culture.

Here’s a look at the 25 best-selling music artists of all time in the U.S., based on certified album sales (per RIAA data), with a nod to their broader legacies.

1. The Beatles

Certified U.S. sales: 183 million+
The Beatles redefined modern music. With a catalog that ranges from pop perfection to experimental genius, they remain the best-selling artists in U.S. history. Their influence on songwriting, recording, and global fandom is unmatched.

2. Garth Brooks

Certified U.S. sales: 157 million+
Country’s biggest superstar, Garth Brooks blurred the lines between country and rock, revolutionizing stadium tours and record sales. His loyal fanbase helped him outpace even pop and rock giants.

3. Elvis Presley

Certified U.S. sales: 146.5 million+
The King of Rock and Roll wasn’t just a performer—he was a cultural phenomenon. Elvis’s unique blend of rock, blues, and gospel captivated generations and continues to influence artists today.

4. Eagles

Certified U.S. sales: 120 million+
Best known for hits like Hotel California and Take It Easy, the Eagles became a defining sound of the 70s. Their Greatest Hits (1971–1975) is one of the best-selling albums ever in the U.S.

5. Led Zeppelin

Certified U.S. sales: 112.5 million+
Pioneers of hard rock and heavy metal, Led Zeppelin’s raw power and musicality made them global rock legends. Their influence still echoes across rock music today.

6. Billy Joel

Certified U.S. sales: 87.5 million+
From Piano Man to Uptown Girl, Billy Joel’s catalog covers decades of pop-rock brilliance. His ability to craft deeply personal and relatable songs has earned him a loyal fanbase.

7. Michael Jackson

Certified U.S. sales: 89 million+
The King of Pop redefined what it meant to be a global superstar. With Thriller as the best-selling album of all time worldwide, his impact spans genres, generations, and continents.

8. Elton John

Certified U.S. sales: 81.5 million+
With flamboyant flair and timeless songwriting, Elton John became a household name. His soundtrack to The Lion King introduced him to a new generation, and his hits remain beloved worldwide.

9. AC/DC

Certified U.S. sales: 77 million+
These Australian rockers found massive success in the U.S. with albums like Back in Black, which alone sold over 25 million copies. Their high-voltage rock still powers arenas today.

10. Pink Floyd

Certified U.S. sales: 75 million+
Known for their conceptual albums and psychedelic rock, Pink Floyd created some of the most ambitious and enduring music of the 20th century, including the iconic Dark Side of the Moon.

11. Taylor Swift

Certified U.S. sales: 65 million+
A generational talent, Taylor Swift transitioned from country darling to global pop icon. With chart dominance, fan devotion, and record-shattering albums, she’s become one of the most influential artists of the 21st century.

12. Whitney Houston

Certified U.S. sales: 61.5 million+
With one of the most powerful voices in music history, Whitney Houston delivered hits like I Will Always Love You and Greatest Love of All. Her voice and legacy continue to inspire.

13. The Rolling Stones

Certified U.S. sales: 66.5 million+
Few bands have had the longevity of The Rolling Stones. With gritty rock anthems and legendary live performances, they’ve built a career that spans over six decades.

14. Bruce Springsteen

Certified U.S. sales: 65.5 million+
The Boss captures the American spirit in his music, with tales of working-class life and resilience. Albums like Born in the U.S.A. and The River are American rock staples.

15. Barbra Streisand

Certified U.S. sales: 68.5 million+
A powerhouse vocalist and actress, Streisand has consistently sold records across decades. She’s the best-selling female recording artist in the U.S. with a career that crosses genres and generations.

16. Madonna

Certified U.S. sales: 64.5 million+
The Queen of Pop set the template for reinvention in pop music. With hits across four decades, Madonna has remained relevant and provocative, influencing countless artists who followed.

17. Metallica

Certified U.S. sales: 69 million+
As one of the most successful heavy metal bands in history, Metallica built a fanbase through relentless touring and boundary-pushing albums like Master of Puppets and The Black Album.

18. Mariah Carey

Certified U.S. sales: 72 million+
With a five-octave range and a holiday anthem that returns to the charts every year, Mariah Carey is pop and R&B royalty. She’s one of the best-selling female artists of all time.

19. Celine Dion

Certified U.S. sales: 50 million+
The voice behind My Heart Will Go On, Celine Dion combined emotional ballads with technical precision, earning global acclaim and Las Vegas stardom.

20. Fleetwood Mac

Certified U.S. sales: 55 million+
Known for their masterpiece Rumours, Fleetwood Mac blended personal drama with musical brilliance, creating one of the most successful albums in history.

21. Aerosmith

Certified U.S. sales: 70 million+
America’s premier rock band of the 70s and 80s, Aerosmith kept reinventing themselves, even scoring hip-hop crossover success with Run-DMC on Walk This Way.

22. U2

Certified U.S. sales: 52 million+
With a mix of spiritual lyricism and arena-rock sound, U2 became a voice for global change and human rights while selling out stadiums for decades.

23. George Strait

Certified U.S. sales: 69 million+
Known as the “King of Country,” George Strait kept things classic with a smooth voice and traditional sound. He’s the most number-one hits of any artist in any genre.

24. Journey

Certified U.S. sales: 48 million+
Fueled by Steve Perry’s vocals and unforgettable anthems like Don’t Stop Believin’, Journey has become a rock radio staple and a karaoke favorite.

25. Prince

Certified U.S. sales: 45.5 million+
A musical genius, Prince blurred genres and defied labels. His creativity, individuality, and independence in the music business changed how artists approached their careers.