TOP 18 most popular performers of the XX-XXI centuries who earned more money from music than others (18 photos)

How can you measure the popularity of an artist? People are always skeptical about various kinds of surveys and studies. Like, if you ask a dozen people whether they like, for example, The Beatles, then a couple of them will definitely say “ugh, of course not.” Consequently, the group does not deserve the title of “most popular group”, according to some San Sanych and Pal Palych. After all, there are more talented and cool musicians! Therefore, how can we find the most objective measure? And does it exist at all, for the paths of art are inscrutable? Well, then let's turn to soulless and mercantile figures for help. We have collected the TOP 18 most popular performers of the XX-XXI centuries, who earned more money from music than others. Perhaps money will help determine the “most-most” popular.

But before you start grumbling, a couple of minutes of attention. We will focus on the number of records sold, CDs and current sales of albums and singles. However, not everything is so simple here either. There is no organization in the world that records global music sales.

Therefore, we will take only the two most important criteria:

1. Reported sales.

2. Certified units of musical products (i.e. officially confirmed).

Thus, there is no one hundred percent accuracy, but thanks to two, rather than one criterion, we are closer to the truth.

Well, have you figured it out? Great! And now you are welcome to watch.

18th place. The Rolling Stones





Reported sales: 200 million

Certified products: 102.9 million

17th place. AC/DC



Reported sales: 200 million

Certified products: 131.1 million

16th place. Celine Dion



Reported sales: 200 million

Certified products: 144.25 million

15th place. Eagles



Reported sales: 200 million

Certified products: 153.2 million

A huge part of the group's revenue came from their album "Hotel California", which took third place in the history of sales in the United States.

14th place. Whitney Houston



Reported sales: 200 million

Certified products: 163.7 million

13th place. Beyoncé



Reported sales: 200 million

Certified products: 238.3 million

12th place. Taylor Swift



Reported sales: 200 million

Certified products: 267.2 million

After the singer's latest stunning tour, sales of her music are likely to rise.

11th place. Mariah Carey



Reported sales: 220 million

Certified products: 215.9 million

Carey was nicknamed the "Queen of Christmas" for her enduring hit "All I Want for Christmas Is You", which became her best-selling song.

10th place. Eminem



Reported sales: 220 million

Certified products: 331.35 million

9th place. Pink Floyd



Reported sales: 250 million

Certified products: 124 million

8th place. Rihanna



Reported sales: 250 million

Certified products: 361.8 million

7th place. Led Zeppelin



Reported sales: 300 million

Certified products: 142.9 million

6th place. Madonna



Reported sales: 300 million

Certified products: 184 million

5th place. Queen



Declaredsales: 300 million

Certified products: 185.2 million

4th place. Elton John



Reported sales: 300 million

Certified products: 210.7 million

3rd place. Michael Jackson



Reported sales: 400 million

Certified products: 284.8 million

2nd place. Elvis Presley



Reported sales: 500 million

Certified products: 233.9 million

1 place. The Beatles



Reported sales: 600 million

Certified products: 292.9 million