The Eagles’ compilation album Their Greatest Hits (1971-1975) has surpassed Michael Jackson’s Thriller as the best-selling record of all time in US history, as reported by The Fader. The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) confirmed on Monday that the greatest hits record had been re-evaluated and has now sold over 38 million copies, earning a 38x platinum certification. The two monumental albums have been competing for the distinction of the best-selling album for quite some time, with Thriller taking over the top spot after Jackson’s death in 2009.
Their Greatest Hits (1971-1975) included all of the Eagles hit singles from that period as well as the album track “Desperado,” with the majority of the singles all being top 40 hits on the Billboard Hot 100. While the band originally destained the record company for putting out the compilation, it has continued to sell and sell and sell over the years. The album was the first ever record to receive a platinum album award from the RIAA in 1976 and it has been the go-to compilation album for fans of 70s classic rock. What is most surprising is that The Eagles most well-known album of original material Hotel California came out after the compilation (that record has sold 26 million copies in the US).
Despite the tragic loss of guitarist and founding member Glenn Frey in 2016, The Eagles have continued to tour, with Frey’s son Deacon taking over his duties in the band.
Photo credit: Mauricio Alvarado
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