UPDATED U.S.A. ALL TIME ALBUM SALES DEC 2002 SOURCE: R.I.A.A.
1- THE EAGLES "THEIR GREATEST HITS 1971-1975" 28 MILLION
2- MICHAEL JACKSON "THRILLER" 26 MILLION
3- PINK FLOYD "THE WALL" 23 MILLION
4- LED ZEPPELIN "LED ZEPPELIN IV" 22 MILLION
5- BILLY JOEL "GREATEST HITS VOLUME 1 & VOLUME II" 21 MILLION
6- AC/DC "BACK IN BLACK" 19 MILLION
7- THE BEATLES "THE BEATLES" 19 MILLION
8- SHANIA TWAIN "COME ON OVER" 19 MILLION
9- FLEETWOOD MAC "RUMOURS" 18 MILLION
10- WHITNEY HOUSTON "THE BODYGUARD SOUNDTRACK" 17 MILLION AC/DC's BACK IN BLACK has sold over 44 million copies on a worldwide basis, making it the strongest selling Hard Rock(metal included) album in music history.
In the U.S.A. alone, the top selling acts of all time as of DEC 2002 are(SOURCE: R.I.A.A. ):
1- THE BEATLES 164.5 MILLION
2- LED ZEPPELIN 105 MILLION
3- GARTH BROOKS 105 MILLION
4- ELVIS PRESLEY 102 MILLION
5- THE EAGLES 86 MILLION
6- BILLY JOEL 77 MILLION
7- PINK FLOYD 73.5 MILLION
8- BARBARA STREISAND 68.5 MILLION
9- ELTON JOHN 64.5 MILLION
10- AEROSMITH 63.5 MILLION
11- AC/DC 63 MILLION
12- THE ROLLING STONES 62.5 MILLION
13- MADONNA 59 MILLION
14- BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN 58.5 MILLION
15- MICHAEL JACKSON 58 MILLION
16- MARIAH CAREY 53 MILLION
17- WHITNEY HOUSTON 53 MILLION
18- KENNY ROGERS 50.5 MILLION
19- GEORGE STRAIT 50.5 MILLION
20- VAN HALEN 50.5 MILLION
TO DATE: AC/DC HAVE SOLD OVER 140 MILLION ALBUMS ON A WORLDWIDE BASIS- THE BEST SELLING HARD ROCK(INCL. METAL) BAND OF ALL TIME.
DEC 9TH:
AC/DC Rides The Highway To Epic source: http://www.billboard.com/billboard/daily/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1774429 Australian rock icons AC/DC have signed a multi-album deal with Epic, the first fruit of which will be refurbished reissues of seminal albums such as "Back in Black," "Highway to Hell," and "Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap," due early next year. Further reissues will follow, all of which will sport new liner notes and rare photos, and utilize Sony's proprietary ConnecteD technology to unlock special online content created for each release. It is understood that AC/DC's next studio album, due sometime next year, will complete the group's contractual obligation to Elektra. AC/DC has spent the past 26 years of its career recording under the Warner Music Group umbrella. The group's back catalog is one of the most consistent sellers on Billboard's Top Pop Catalog chart. According to Epic parent Sony, 1980's "Back in Black" has sold 41 million copies worldwide, making it the sixth highest-selling album in history. It has sold 318,000 copies this year alone, according to Nielsen SoundScan. The move to Epic reunites AC/DC with Epic chairman Dave Glew, who previously worked with the group at Atlantic, as well as Epic executive VP/GM Steve Barnett, formerly the group's manager. The new deal brings 16 of AC/DC's 18 U.S. releases to the label, which plans to also reissue some of the albums on vinyl and compile DVD releases. "Today AC/DC is going stronger than ever, making it a true pleasure to welcome the band into the Sony Music family, and an honor to have the opportunity to bring both their classic repertoire and new releases to fans across the country and around the world," Sony Music chairman/CEO Thomas D. Mottola said in a statement. AC/DC's last Elektra studio set, "Stiff Upper Lip," debuted in March 2000 at No. 7 on The Billboard 200 and has sold 842,000 copies in the U.S., according to Nielsen SoundScan. The title track from that album hit No. 1 on Billboard's Mainstream Rock Tracks chart. Meanwhile, Image Entertainment has set a Feb. 18 release date for the DVD "Rockmasters -- AC/DC," capturing an Oct. 27, 1977, concert in London. The video finds the band, at the time fronted by the late Bon Scott, running through such favorites as "Let There Be Rock," "T.N.T.," and "Bad Boy Boogie."
DEC 4TH:
ROCKMASTERS DVD/VHS to be released in FEB 2003! Here's the cover art and tracklisting for this VHS/DVD that is scheduled for Feb 18, 2003 release from image entertainment:Let There Be Rock, Problem Child, Hell Ain't a Bad Place to Be, Whole Lotta Rosie, Bad Boy Boogie, Rocker, T.N.T. (Live at London's Hippodrome, BBC 1977
NEW AC/DC ALBUM IN MARCH!(?)
AC/DC are allegedly in the studio in Vancouver, Canada, recording at Bryan Adams studios as they did with the recording of the STIFF UPPER LIP album in 2000. The band have made recent comments in interviews, namely Brian Johnson, that they plan to release a new album by March 2003 and have a tour to follow, probably by June. Looks like 2003 will be a great year again for music!!
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THE MONSTERS OF MOCK TRIBUTE FESTIVAL IN NEW YORK!! The First MONSTERS OF MOCK Fest is scheduled to take place at THE VANDERBILT in Plainview, NY on Saturday night, November 30th! This will feature New York's top tribute bands, including LIVE WIRE (AC/DC Tribute), In The Flesh(Pink Floyd Tribute), 2112(Rush Tribute), and Appetite For Destruction(GNR Tribute)! Tickets for the event are only $9.85 (sponsored by 98.5 THE BONE), and are available at the box office or through TICKETMASTER.
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NEW AC/DC Book in the works! AC/DC Collectibles guide! Anyone interested in submitting photos of AC/DC rarities, especially extremely rare items such as Promotional items, Tour flyers, Tshirts, Test Pressings, Acetates, ultra rarities and the like, please contact me or send them to me. Anyone who feels they can contribute is more than welcome to contact me and will be thanked accordingly. Those who feel they can help to a large degree will also get a free copy once completed. More info on this as the project moves forward.
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AC/DC inducted into the Rock n Roll hall of fame...finally! Long overdue, AC/DC have been nominated and inducted into the Rock N Roll hall of fame, and an induction ceremony is scheduled to take place at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in NY City on March 10th, 2003. For MTV press release on this news look here
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New AC/DC Boot releases have been surfacing recently. Many on Vinyl LP....
BLUES BOOZE N TATOOS: Very limited edition LP(400 Copies)...recording from Nashville Atlantic Recording Bar, 8/8/1978. 200 copies Red vinyl, 200 copies White vinyl.
CALIFORNIAN DEVILS LP.....Live from Fresno Selland Arena, Fresno, CA 7/15/1978. Available on Green, Yellow and red vinyl.
And I Curdled Her Cream... 2 LP Set + CD R. VERY limited edtion 30 copies! Live from Hobart City Hall 1/7/1977...
CAN I SIT ON YOUR FACE GIRL...YOU CAN SIT ON MINE LP..pressed in Sweden. Limited Edition of 500 copies. Live from Adelaide Australia 4/12/1976
NASHVILLE PUSSIES LP...VERY LIMTED EDTION 100 COPIES BLUE VINYL.. Same as Blues, booze and tatoos.
OVERDOSE VOL 1 LP. LIMITED EDITON 400 COPIES. (275 BLACK VINYL ,125 GREY VINYL) PART 1 OF A 3 LP SERIES. RELEASED IN GERMANY. RECORDED LIVE FROM Nürnberg, Frankenstadion 6/29/2001
WANTED ALIVE LP...Various recordings from 1977 on this LP, released in Sweden. Available on various colored vinyl: gold, black, purple, clear-purple, clear pink. Limited Edition of 500 copies.
SCOTTISH BASTARDS LP...Live in Edinburgh Scotland, 6/12/1976...available in red, brown, purple, gold, blue-gold colored vinyl.
GOIN' DUTCH CD... New Boot CD release limited edition 150 copies from Holland. Features various live 1978-79 recordings.
RANGER ROCK CD...Live Glasgow Apollo(If You want Blood concert +) 4/30/1978
VOLTAGE STRAIN CD....Live at Barbarella's Club, Birmingham England 7/31/1976
CURRENT PEAK CD...Live in Edinburgh Scotland 6/12/1976
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There will be a new 17 CD Box set released in Australia and will be available through preorders here:
Release date expected December 2, 2002.
The boxset will include: Live (Double) High Voltage (Aus) T.N.T Dirty Deeds done dirt cheap. Let there be rock Powerage If you want blood (you've got it) Highway to Hell Back in Black For those about to rock (we salute you) Flick of the switch Fly on the wall Who made who Blow up your video The razor's edge Ballbreaker & Stiff upper lip
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NEW AC/DC DVD coming on FEB 18th! ROCK MASTERS will be issued by image entertainment and will contain AC/DC live from BBC TV London England, 1977 (The Golders Green hippodrome)! It will be available in Europe to follow. Preorders can be taken now through Amazon.com!
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A new AC/DC Tribute CD is available: BON APPETITE A Tribute to AC/DC BON SCOTT YEARS.
Track Listings 1. Rock N' Roll Damnation - Britny Fox 2. Highway to Hell - Dangerous Toys 3. Gone Shootin' 4. Touch Too Much - Every Mother's Nightmare 5. Dirty Deeds - Ted Nugent 6. Walk All Over You - Every Mother's Nightmare 7. Ride On - Every Mother's Nightmare 8. It's a Long Way to the Top - AC/DC 9. Jailbreak - Cherry St. 10. TNT 11. Back Traxx - Every Mother's Nightmare 12. Self Titled - Broken Teeth 13. Monroe - Cherry St. 14. Deeper Shade of Grey - Every Mother's Nightmare 15. Buster Cherry - Cherry St. 16. Smokin' Delta Voodoo - Every Mother's Nightmare 17. Then and Now 18. Combat Alley 19. X-Rated - Cherry St. 20. In the Name of Rock
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Congratulations to BRIAN JOHNSON who has won the Continental Historics division of the Daytona races in Florida on November 3rd! For more info visit RollingStone.com. Also, check out the cool shots of Brian in his racecar here!
By the way...ROLLING STONE Magazine...? don't you think it's about damn time to feature AC/DC on your precious cover? Just a hint.
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A NEW JACKYL CD is out , and contains a new Brian Johnson Co-written track "Kill the sunshine" Cliff Williams has been busy playing Live in Eastern Europe this Autumn with THE FROZEN CAMELS PROJECT in Bosnia and Croatia.
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OLDER NEWS
BUY AUTHENTIC MARK EVANS AUTOGRAPHED PHOTO OF MARK & BON SCOTT! PLUS ONE OF MARK'S GUITAR PICKS! CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS!
Dave Evans, original lead singer & a founding member of AC/DC is about to announce a 2 month tour of the United States & Canada. The tour is expected to start in Los Angeles on June 15th 2002, approximately 35 - 40 dates will be announced soon. The tour coincides with the release of the CD " A Hell of a Night" . Dave's live tribute to the late Bon Scott, the CD will be released by Perris Records...a track to be lifted from this CD will feature on another release by Perris,,, Dave's version of "It's a long way to the top(if you wanna rock'n'roll)" is to be included on a tribute AC/DC project, which will include members from Ted Nugent's band, among many other profile artists........... WATCH THIS SPACE !
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Billy Joel at a recent gig in FLORIDA finished ranting about The Rock N Roll Hall of Fame and how come they still have not inducted the well deserved AC/DC into the hall, brought out Floridians Brian Johnson and Cliff Williams, who joined Joel on stage for a memorable version of AC/DC's "HIGHWAY TO HELL"!!!!
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Rumors are starting that AC/DC will be entering the studio to begin work on a new album that they hope to have out by Autumn 2002. Lets hope!
In the meantime, their promotional machine is at it again, promoting the release of the new (AND AWESOME!!) STIFF UPPER LIP LIVE DVD/VHS!
Keep an eye on the LIVE WIRE homepage for upcoming gigs of this NY based AC/DC tribute band!
ALL AC/DC, Bon Scott, and AC/DC related collectibles, memorabilia, and items wanted! send me your lists and check out my wantlist!
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Well, its been a while since the last update....but slowly but surely I will revamp this page and will be posting the COMPLETE AC/DC Collectibles and discography guide, which will be the most comprehensive AC/DC collectibles list found anywhere.
In the meantime, AC/DC's long anticipated DVD/VHS from the Munich show of the Stiff Upper Lip tour is on its way! (complete with Up to my neck in you, What do you do for money honey, and Problem child!) (slated for DEC 4th U.S. Release) And the new ANGUS YOUNG McFarlane toys action figure complete with Gibson SG has finally been released!. Check it out! Other than that, not much else on the AC/DC front, except of course for the recent Brian Johnson stint with former bandmates GEORDIE for the small club tour in the U.K. that was just compeleted. Very cool! Brian also took time to record 2 brand new tracks with Geordie: "Wor Geordie's Lost His Liggy" and "Biker Hill," both which will appear on a compilation album(box set?) which I believe will be distributed freely, or as either a non-profit cause or charity organization when released.
We all are awaiting news of what AC/DC's next plans for writing and recording a new album will be...perhaps we will hear something after the holidays. Keeping our fingers crossed!
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The Stiff Upper Lip world tour is over. And what a great tour it was! I was fortunate to see the band 6 times this tour, 3 on the first leg, 3 on the second. Now I'm looking forward to the next tour! AC/DC never lets you down- always keeps you wanting more. Keep Rockin' boys!
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THE ANGUS ARMY WANTS YOU! AC/DC are gearing up for the second leg of their North American tour, and are plotting yet another massive promotional assault for the fans! Contests, giveaways, and the chance to join the Angus Army to help promote the band! Go to WWW.ANGUSARMY.COM for more details! stay tuned!
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Story from RIAA record industry association of America (AC/DC's Album sales in the United States Alone puts them closer to the top selling band of all time!...)
For Those About to Rock…RIAA Salutes AC/DC Elektra Records Upgrades AC/DC Catalog To 63 Million "Back In Black" Jumps to 19 Million WASHINGTON, January 31, 2001 -- Australian rockers AC/DC received a belated holiday gift from Elektra Records when 14 titles were upgraded increasing their certified sales from 46.5 million to 63 million according to the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Representing actual units in excess of 70 million, the band is now tied for ninth place on the RIAA's Top Grossing Artist list and stands as the fifth highest certified band in U.S. music history behind The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd and Elektra label mates The Eagles. "After more than 20 albums, entertaining legions of fans around the world and being certified for sales of more than 63 million records in the U.S. alone, this simply confirms what everyone already knows," said RIAA President and CEO Hilary Rosen. "That AC/DC is one of rock and roll's greatest assets and has truly earned the right to be called legendary." Leading the charge was the band's 1980 hard rock classic, "Back In Black," which is now certified for sales of 19 million copies and is currently the sixth highest certified album of all time. Also climbing the multi-platinum ladder were "Ballbreaker" (two million), "For Those About To Rock (We Salute You)" (four million), "The Razor's Edge" (four million), "Who Made Who" (five million), "Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap" (six million), "Highway To Hell" (six million) and "Live" (three million) while the double disc "Live -- Collector's Edition" simultaneously certified gold, platinum and two times multi-platinum. In addition to their latest release, "Stiff Upper Lip," four other titles reached platinum status including "'74 Jail Break," "Bonfire," "Flick of the Switch" and "Fly On the Wall." The band also scored their first ever platinum video with "Live at Donnington" while the 1996 video "No Bull" was certified gold for sales in excess of 50,000 copies. Despite announcing his retirement, country superstar Garth Brooks continues to reach milestones. His 1998 release "Double Live" was certified for sales of 14 million and is now the best selling live album in history. Widely recognized as one of the most influential jazz recordings of all time, John Coltrane's "A Love Supreme" was certified gold more than 25 years after being released. It is the jazz legend's first certified gold record. Two of music's hottest artists received their first RIAA multi-platinum awards this month when reggae crossover sensation Shaggy's latest album "Hotshot" certified platinum, double platinum and three times platinum this month while "No Angel" by Arista's Dido reached the two million sales plateau. Boxed sets accounted for three certifications this month as The Eagles' "Selected Works: 1972-1999," Stevie Ray Vaughan's "SRV" and "Ken Burns Jazz: The Story of American Music" were all certified gold. Music row legend George Strait received his 26th gold record this month for "Merry Christmas Wherever You Are." Strait is now tied with Frank Sinatra who also earned 26 gold albums over the course of his 60-year career. Only five other solo male artists have received more gold records (Elvis Presley, Neil Diamond, Elton John, Bob Dylan and Kenny Rogers). Following the departure of lead singer Zack de la Rocha, Rage Against The Machine earned gold and platinum honors for their collection of cover songs, "Renegades" while Xzibit's first album for Loud Records, "Restless" was also certified gold and platinum. Two artists from opposite ends of the musical spectrum earned their first platinum awards this month as Linkin Park's "Hybrid Theory" and Jaci Velasquez' "Heavenly Places" were both certified for sales of 1,000,000 copies. Six artists struck gold with their first awards this month as well. Debut albums by Crazy Town ("The Gift of Game"), Musiq Soulchild ("Aijuswanaseing") and 3LW ("3LW") and singles by Dream ("He Loves U Not"), O-Town ("Liquid Dreams") and Debelah Morgan ("Dance With Me") were all certified gold. The RIAA awarded a total of 23 multi-platinum, 20 platinum and 31 gold albums in January. All certifications are calculated by Gelfand, Rennert & Feldman. Complete lists of all album, single and video awards for January 2001 are attached and can also be accessed at www.riaa.com
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AC/DC RETURNING TO THE U.S.A. FOR SECOND LEG OF THEIR STIFF UPPER LIP TOUR!!!!
BREAKING NEWS!
Veteran rockers AC/DC are extending their world tour to include another North American leg, kicking off March 18 in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Fellow AussiesThe Living End will lend a punk-rock edge to all dates. The outing is still being firmed up and most of the venues haven't been announced. So far, the itinerary calls for shows in 27 markets the band missed on last fall's swing, including Nashville, Tenn.; Little Rock, Ark.; Charlotte, N.C.; Portland, Ore.; Fargo, N.D., and Madison, Wis. Larger market stops include Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles, Detroit, Boston and Philadelphia. The group is currently on the road in their homeland, and heads to Japan February 19-22 before taking a well-deserved break. AC/DC is backing Stiff Upper Lip, the 17th album in their long history. With the addition of yet another extensive tour leg, it appears that the band's drawing power is still very much intact. "We've learned never to pay too much attention to the trends, or what the experts are telling you is the next big thing," frontman Angus Young said of AC/DC's longevity. "Our fans know what to expect from us. I always say sometimes it's the guy digging the ditch that can tell you more about building the road than all the engineers put together."
DATES:
AC/DC NORTH AMERICAN TOUR 2001