Rock band Queen have made UK chart history by becoming the first act to sell 6 million copies of an individual album in the UK.

Queen’s original Greatest Hits compilation album, originally released in 1981, has passed the 6 million sales milestone, having been the highest-selling album for several years in the UK. The Official Charts Company said one in three British families now owned a copy of Queen’s original Greatest Hits compilation album, whether on vinyl record / LP, CD or cassette.

Queen’s Greatest Hits leads the all-time album chart by some 900,000 copies, ahead of Abba’s 1992 greatest hits collection ABBA Gold. Relative newcomer Adele’s 21 is catching up on the top spot fast, with a staggering 4.7 million copies sold in just three years……….

TOP 5 UK ALBUMS IN TERMS OF SALES

1) Greatest Hits – Queen (1981) – 6m

2) Gold – Greatest Hits – Abba (1992) – 5.1m

3) Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band – Beatles (1967) – 5.1m

4) 21 – Adele (2011) – 4.7m

5 ) What’s The Story Morning Glory – Oasis (1995) – 4.6m

Source: Official Charts Company

Brian May, Queen lead guitarist, commented: “Great news, amazing news from the Official Charts Company. I just want to say thanks to everyone who has supported us through the years, we hope to continue to serve you.” Queen drummer Roger Taylor added: “Wonderful. Who would have thought it? And all due to the great British public. Thank you. A great honour!”

According to the Official Charts Company, Queen’s Greatest Hits album continues to sell several thousand copies per week, particularly around Christmas, and not surprisingly as it was originally released in 1981, the majority of the sales have been on vinyl, CD and cassette – with only 124,000 downloads to date.

Martin Talbot, chief executive of the Official Charts Company, pointed out: “Becoming the first album to pass six million sales is a quite incredible achievement by Queen. Ever since it was first released in 1981, this package of classic pop and rock tracks has been an indispensable item in every music fan’s record collection – perhaps the definitive greatest hits album.”

Queen’s Greatest Hits is also their biggest-selling album in the US, with 8 million copies sold, according to the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Queen’s second hits collection, released a month before lead singer Freddie Mercury’s death in November 1991, is the UK’s tenth best-selling album, with 3.9 million copies sold to date.

To celebrate Queen’s Greatest Hits becoming the Greatest Hit Album in the UK, here is a Record Press Top 10 Greatest Queen Songs –

Top 10 Greatest Queen Songs

1) Killer Queen ( 1974 )

2) Bohemian Rhapsody ( 1975 )

3) We Are The Champions ( 1977 )

4) Good old Fashioned Lover Boy ( 1977 )

5) The Show Must Go On ( 1991 )

6) Don’t Stop Me Now ( 1979 )

7) Radio Ga Ga ( 1984 )

8) Drowse ( 1976 )

9) Under Pressure ( 1981 )

10) We Will Rock You ( 1977 )

What are your favourite Queen songs? Let us know in the Reply Box below.

Celebrate your love of Queen in your home or office, by ordering your favourite Queen song in a vinyl or CD format; single, album or album cover; framed and mounted as a picture disc souvenir. You can also personalise it with an inscribed / engraved plaque…… 

ORDER NOW…….. www.myfirstrecord.co.uk/

Framed vinyl records, framed CDs and framed DVDs with a personalised plaque, make unique presents or original gifts for a special celebration  / special occasion ie a Wedding ( Wedding First Dance Song ), an Engagement Party ( Our Song ), a House Warming Party ( New Home ), a 21st, 30th, 40th, 50th, 60th Birthday ( How about the No1 song on the day of birth? ), a Silver, Ruby or Golden Wedding Anniversary, Father’s or Mother’s Day or Valentine’s Day!!  THE PERFECT PERSONALISED PRESENT!!

For further information, plus other merchandise or memorabilia, go to the Queen website……..  www.queenonline.com/