Michael Jackson don't sell so much in USA

[blair]

According to this page of Wikipedia and the RIAA, Michael Jackson don't have a huge success in USA, he sell well, but don't have the greatest success, Madonna, Mariah Carrey and Elton Jone have sold more albums that him !!!! I'm very surprise about that because in the same time he is one of the greatest seller in the world with more that 500 millions albums.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Best_selling_music_artists

The RIAA numbers are good (I have some doubt with Thriller) ? Michael Jackson have sold just 60,5 millions albums in his own country, but I don't know if they have included the Jacksons and Jackson 5 albums, what do you think about that ? I don't live in USA and I don't have any idea if, except Thriller, he have a good success in this country in solo or with his brothers, because I'm really surprised that Madonna, Mariah Carrey, Billie Joel and Elton John have sold more albums that him in the USA.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Best_se..._United_States

What do you think about that ?

[rahul_adams2001]

Well..Michael Jackson is not any local superstar like Madonna or Elton John..He is international superstar and someone who is bigger than the word "Celebrity"..And last time i checked United States Of America is a country not the whole wide world..I dont care how much he sold in USA but I really do care how much he sold in whole wide world..So get over it you want Michael to be on top of everything which is not possible for anybody..

But if you feel good we had some kinda article in which they said when it comes to music Michael Jackson is still the biggest name despite of all the controversies..

[blair]

I know he is a huge star in the world, but for me it's a big surprise that except Thriller, he don't have a big success in his own country, I would like to know if there are a reason about that, I have noticed also that Prince don't sell so much.

[Kingofthedancefloor]

Wikipedia is garbage anyway.
Dunno about the USA but here in Canada ive been to 4 different HMV stores and the Thriller 25 CD is completly sold out, must be a no1 Xmas gift this year.According to one store manager Michael Jackson's Thriller 25 is selling like hotcakes, so im well pleased about that!!

[athina_livadi]

Well let me show you something....don't underestimate his power...

Top 20 selling artists of 2008 in the USA

Top 20 Artists of 2008 by Combined Sales of All Releases (in Millions of Units):
1. AC/DC 3.4
2. Lil Wayne 3.3
3. Taylor Swift 3.2
4. Coldplay 2.5
5. Metallica 2.3
6. Kid Rock 2.2
7. Jonas Brothers 2.1
8. Sugarland 1.9
9. Jack Johnson 1.8
10. Mariah Carey 1.7
11. T.I. 1.6
12. Nickelback 1.5
13. Beyonce 1.4
14. Kenny Chesney 1.4
15. Michael Jackson 1.4
16. Elvis Presley 1.4
17. Beatles 1.4
18. Josh Groban 1.3
19. Journey 1.3
20. Leona Lewis 1.3

[dangerous_88]

I know he is a huge star in the world, but for me it's a big surprise that except Thriller, he don't have a big success in his own country, I would like to know if there are a reason about that, I have noticed also that Prince don't sell so much.

cuz after thriller he became "weird" . **** 'em.

[bobmoo79]

Mike hasn't really promoted himself in the US for probably 15 years, and has released very few albums at all in that period. The other artists you mention released many more albums in that timeframe and also promote, promote, promote. They work hard and Mike doesn't. I think if Mike had released more albums (like 1 every other year) for the last 15 years, he would certainly be doing much better than he is now. Not only would his sales appear much better, but his image may not be so ruined as people would be reminded about his talent, rather than endless rumours that go uncountered by Mike, plus his career wouldn't be completely stalled. He has wasted so many years that could have cemented his legac, rather than just let it fade.What a shame.

[TillitsGone]

His legacy's BEEN cemented... uhh Thriller anyone?

[rahul_adams2001]

His legacy's BEEN cemented... uhh Thriller anyone?

[Michaelismagic]

It's so amazing Michael hasnt had a new album in almost 7 years and he is amongtop 20!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[pianoman04]

Well, first of all, he's only released 7 solo albums since 1979. Every single artist in that list that are above Michael have released more albums than he has. Of course they're going to sell more. It has nothing to do with it being in the US and it's not hard to understand. It's just that they're popular and have released more albums. Second, why pinpoint only the US? Michael isn't the biggest selling artist in a lot of other countries as well, and he has done a lot more touring in other parts of the world. He's done a lot of stuff in Europe, but he's not the best selling artist there either.

[blair]

Do you know if the RIAA take also in the numbers of Michael Jackson, the albums with the Jackson 5 and the Jacksons ?

[rahul_adams2001]

I guess if fans in usa are upset cuz he is not best seller in U.S then fans in USA shud start a campaign to make him top selling artist in usa..start buying his cds instead of paying bills and eating food....I stopped takin these things seriously long long time ago..Records are set to be broken and as somebody over here said,Mike dont release albums every yr. he takes his time to release stuff and thats why everybody know him..Trust me if Michael care about these things today then he can easily set new standards i think he has achieved so much that nobody thought he wud and he is happy with it..And I think Mike has handled his success in very well manner. BUT WE STILL WANT MORE AND MORE FROM HIM!!!thats not fair..being fan it doesnt mean that Michael owe us his everything,that'd be cruel of us..

But ya Michael is still doing so well without releasing anything new and it shows his power..

[big DB]

Michael has and is selling very well in the USA. Even Dangerous sold Millions!

In that list above he is 300,000 less than some artists who released brand new albums, and has sold thousands more than an artist that has topped the charts in every country over the past year, i.e Leona Lewis.

[bobmoo79]

Michael has and is selling very well in the USA. Even Dangerous sold Millions!

In that list above he is 300,000 less than some artists who released brand new albums, and has sold thousands more than an artist that has topped the charts in every country over the past year, i.e Leona Lewis.

Yes, but Leona Lewis got to #20 with 1 album and Mike got to #15 with all his album sales combined. Mike's album only sold just over half of Leona's if we make this a level playing field for comparison purposes.
Even though Leona is much lower than Mike in the list, I'd say that she has been much more successful this year, especially as she is a new artist.