‘Back In Black’ and 60 Other Diamond-Certified Albums
AC/DC‘s juggernaut album Back In Black was released 39 years ago today (July 25), and besides being the band’s highest-selling release, it’s also one of a small group of albums that’s been…
Members of the Australian rock band AC-DC pose for a photograph after the Rock Walk handprint ceremony September 15, 2000 at the Guitar Center in Hollywood, Ca. From left: Brian Johnson, Malcolm Young, Cliff Williams, Angus Young and Phil Rudd.
Newsmakers/Getty ImagesAC/DC's juggernaut album Back In Black was released 39 years ago today (July 25), and besides being the band's highest-selling release, it's also one of a small group of albums that's been certified Diamond (10 million copies sold) by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA.)
In fact, it's gone double Diamond with over 22 million copies sold, so the aforementioned use of "juggernaut" is more than appropriate. To get an idea of how prestigious this honor is, here’s a list of 60 other rock records and greatest hits collections that are also part of the Diamond club.
Nirvana – Nevermind – 10 Million
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Led Zeppelin – Led Zeppelin – 10 Million
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Green Day – Dookie – 10 Million
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Doobie Brothers – Best Of The Doobies – 10 Million
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Smashing Pumpkins – Mellon Collie and The Infinite Sadness – 10 Million
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Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band – Greatest Hits – 10 Million
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U2 – The Joshua Tree – 10 Million
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Van Halen – 1984 – 10 Million
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Billy Joel – The Stranger – 10 Million
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Nickelback – All The Right Reasons – 10 Million
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Eric Clapton – Unplugged – 10 Million
Larry Busacca/Getty ImagesNEW YORK, NY - APRIL 12: Eric Clapton performs on stage during the 2013 Crossroads Guitar Festival at Madison Square Garden on April 12, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images)
ZZ Top – Eliminator – 10 Million
Mark Metcalfe/Getty ImagesSYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 12: Dusty Hill and Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top perform live on stage at Allphones Arena on March 12, 2013 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)
Van Halen – Van Halen – 10 Million
Frazer Harrison/Getty ImagesLOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 01: Van Halen, (L-R) Dave Lee Roth and Eddie Van Halen perform as part of their 2012 North American tour at Staples Center on June 1, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
Beastie Boys – Licensed To Ill – 10 Million
Bryan Bedder/Getty ImagesNEW YORK - JUNE 5: (L-R) Musicians Adam Horovitz, Mike Diamond and Adam Yauch of the Beastie Boys arrive at the 11th Annual Webby Awards at Chipriani Wall Street June 5, 2007 in New York City. (Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images)
Elvis Presley – Elvis’ Christmas Album – 10 Million
Hulton Archive/Getty ImagesPortrait of American singer and actor Elvis Presley (1935 - 1977) holding a 1965 Gibson EBS-1250 Double Bass (a combined 6-string and bass guitar), circa 1966. Elvis is seen playing the guitar in his 1966 film, 'Spinout'. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
The Doors – The Best Of The Doors – 10 Million
Central Press/Getty Images3rd September 1968: American psychedelic rock band, The Doors during a press conference at Heathrow Airport, London (left to right); drummer John Densmore, keyboard player Ray Mansarek, vocalist Jim Morrison (1943 - 1971) and guitarist Robby Krieger. (Photo by Central Press/Getty Images)
Creedence Clearwater Revival – Chronicle: 20 Greatest Hits – 10 Million
Evening Standard/Getty Images1st April 1970: American rock group Creedence Clearwater Revival in London, April 1970. From Left to right, Tom Fogerty, Doug Clifford, John Fogerty and Stu Cook. (Photo by Evening Standard/Getty Images)
No Doubt – Tragic Kingdom – 10 Million
Kevin Winter/Getty ImagesNo Doubt, Tony Kanal, Gwen Stefani, Adrian Young and Tom Dumont, backstage at the Wadsworth Theater before a taping of ABC Family's "Front Row Center" in Los Angeles, Ca. Sunday, November 11, 2001. *Exclusive* Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images.
Def Leppard – Pyromania – 10 Million
Mercury Records/Hulton Archive/Courtesy of Getty ImagesPromotional portrait of the British rock band Def Leppard, circa 1985. L-R: Steve Clark, Rick Savage, Joe Elliott, Pete Willis, Rick Allen. (Photo by Mercury Records/Hulton Archive/Courtesy of Getty Images)
1999
Hulton Archive/Getty ImagesCreed 'Human Clay'
Aerosmith – Aerosmith’s Greatest Hits – 11 Million
Tommaso Boddi/Getty ImagesJames Taylor – James Taylor’s Greatest Hits – 11 Million
Jack Kay/Daily Express/Getty ImagesAmerican singer-songwriter and guitarist James Taylor, 8th July 1971. He is in London to perform at the Royal Festival Hall with Carole King. (Photo by Jack Kay/Daily Express/Getty Images)
Eagles – Eagles Greatest Hits Vol. II – 11 Million
Rick Diamond/Getty ImagesNEW ORLEANS, LA - MAY 05: Joe Walsh, Glenn Frey, Don Henley and Timothy B. Schmit of the Eagles backstage during the 2012 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival - Day 6 at the Fair Grounds Race Course on May 5, 2012 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images)
1998
Rick Diamond/Getty ImagesKid Rock 'Devil Without A Cause'
Linkin Park – Hybrid Theory – 11 Million
Kevin Winter/Getty ImagesLOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 08: The group Linkin Park with their award for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration poses in the press room at the 48th Annual Grammy Awards at the Staples Center on February 8, 2006 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
The Beatles – Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band – 11 Million
John Pratt/Keystone/Getty Images19th May 1967: The Beatles celebrate the completion of their new album, 'Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band', at a press conference held at the west London home of their manager Brian Epstein. The LP is released on June 1st. (Photo by John Pratt/Keystone/Getty Images)
Led Zeppelin – Houses Of The Holy – 11 Million
Roger Jackson/Central Press/Getty Images16th September 1970: British rock band Led Zeppelin collect their geode awards after being voted top British group in the Melody Maker Pop Poll in London. From left to right, they are Jimmy Page, Robert Plant (who also won the Best British Singer award), and John Bonham. (Photo by Roger Jackson/Central Press/Getty Images)
The Beatles – 1 – 11 Million
Fox Photos/Getty Images)2nd July 1964: The Beatles, John Lennon, George Harrison (1943 - 2001), Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, pictured on their arrival in London following a tour of Australia. (Photo by Fox Photos/Getty Images)
Phil Collins – No Jacket Required – 12 Million
Elsa/Getty ImagesNEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 29: Phil Collins performs on opening night prior to the evening session on Day One of the 2016 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 29, 2016 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Bon Jovi – Slippery When Wet – 12 Million
Jesse Grant/Getty ImagesHOLLYWOOD, CA - DECEMBER 01: Musicians Richie Sambora and Jon Bon Jovi perfom during the MasterCard Priceless Los Angeles Presents GRAMMY Artists Revealed Featuring Bon Jovi at Paramount Studios on December 1, 2012 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for MasterCard)
Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers – Greatest Hits – 12 Million
Samir Hussein/Getty ImagesNEWPORT, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 22: Tom Petty of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers performs on the main stage on day 2 of The Isle of Wight Festival at Seaclose Park on June 22, 2012 in Newport, Isle of Wight. (Photo by Samir Hussein/Getty Images)
Def Leppard – Hysteria – 12 Million
Frazer Harrison/Getty ImagesWEST HOLLYWOOD, CA - JUNE 06: Def Leppard's Joe Elliott and Phil Collen perform at YouTube Presents Def Leppard At The House Of Blues at House of Blues Sunset Strip on June 6, 2012 in West Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
The Beatles – Abbey Road – 12 Million
Keystone Features/Getty Images1968: Three Beatles; from left to right John Lennon (1940 - 1980), George Harrison (1943 - 2001) and Paul McCartney, record voices in a studio for their new cartoon film 'Yellow Submarine'. (Photo by Keystone Features/Getty Images)
Led Zeppelin - Led Zeppelin II – 12 Million
Evening Standard/Getty ImagesJune 1973: British rock band Led Zeppelin. From left to right, Robert Plant, Jimmy Page, John Bonham (1947 - 1980), John Paul Jones. (Photo by Evening Standard/Getty Images)
The Rolling Stones – Hot Rocks – 12 Million
Chris Ware/Keystone Features/Getty ImagesDecember 1963: British rhythm and blues group The Rolling Stones, from left to right; Charlie Watts, Keith Richards, Bill Wyman (front), Mick Jagger and Brian Jones (1942 - 1969). (Photo by Chris Ware/Keystone Features/Getty Images)
Pearl Jam – Ten – 13 Million
Kevin Winter/Getty Images)LOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 12: Singer Eddie Vedder of "Pearl Jam" performs onstage during the 3rd Annual VH1 Rock Honors at UCLA's Pauley Pavillion on July 12, 2008 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Bruce Springsteen – Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band 1975-’85 – 13 Million
Monty Fresco/Evening Standard/Getty Images1975: American rock singer, songwriter and guitarist Bruce Springsteen. (Photo by Monty Fresco/Evening Standard/Getty Images)
Meat Loaf – Bat Out Of Hell – 14 Million
Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty ImagesAmerican rock singer Meat Loaf performing, circa 1977. (Photo by Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Simon & Garfunkel – Simon & Garfunkel’s Greatest Hits – 14 Million
Hulton Archive/Getty ImagesWEMBLEY, ENGLAND: Pop duo Simon and Garfunkel, comprising (L-R) singer, Art Garfunkel and singer-songwriter, Paul Simon, performing on ITV's 'Ready, Steady, Go!', July 8, 1966. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Steve Miller Band – Greatest Hits 1974-1978 – 14 Million
Kevin Winter/Getty ImagesBURBANK, CA - SEPTEMBER 12: Steve Miller Band performs on the "Tonight Show with Jay Leno" at the NBC Studios September 12, 2003 in Burbank, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Journey – Greatest Hits – 15 Million
Mike Coppola/Getty ImagesNEW YORK, NY - APRIL 07: (L-R) 2017 Inductees Gregg Rolie, Steve Perry, Neal Schon, Ross Valory and Jonathan Cain of Journey speak onstage at the 32nd Annual Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony at Barclays Center on April 7, 2017 in New York City. Debuting on HBO Saturday, April 29, 2017 at 8:00 pm ET/PT (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images)
Pink Floyd – Dark Side Of The Moon – 15 Million
MJ Kim/Getty ImagesLONDON - JULY 02: (L to R) David Gilmour, Roger Waters, Nick Mason and Rick Wright from the band Pink Floyd on stage at "Live 8 London" in Hyde Park on July 2, 2005 in London, England. The free concert is one of ten simultaneous international gigs including Philadelphia, Berlin, Rome, Paris, Barrie, Tokyo, Cornwall, Moscow and Johannesburg. The concerts precede the G8 summit (July 6-8) to raising awareness for MAKEpovertyHISTORY. (Photo by MJ Kim/Getty Images)
Bob Marley Performs Bob Marley & The Wailers – Legend – 15 MillionOn Stage
Express Newspapers/Getty ImagesJamaican reggae musician Bob Marley (1945 - 1981) performs on stage, a microphone in his hand, late 1970s. (Photo by Express Newspapers/Getty Images)
Bruce Springsteen – Born In The U.S.A. – 15 Million
Hulton Archive/Getty ImagesAmerican rock singer and songwriter Bruce Springsteen stands onstage, holding an electric guitar at his side during a concert, 1980s. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Santana – Supernatural – 15 Million
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The Beatles – 1962-1966 – 15 Million
Getty Images398013 01: FILE PHOTO The Beatles perform in November 1963. 58 year old ex-Beatle band member George Harrison died of cancer November 30, 2001 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Getty Images) (AMERICAS SALES ONLY)
Led Zeppelin – Physical Graffiti – 16 Million
Ian Showell/Keystone/Getty Images16th September 1970: Three of the four members of British heavy rock group Led Zeppelin in Embankment Gardens, London. They pushed the Beatles down to number two, taking the Best British Group award at the Melody Maker Pop Polls today at the Savoy Hotel. They are, from left to right; singer Robert Plant, guitarist Jimmy Page and drummer John Bonham. (Photo by Ian Showell/Keystone/Getty Images)
Metallica – Metallica (Black Album) – 16 Million
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Elton John – Greatest Hits – 17 Million
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Boston – Boston – 17 Million
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The Beatles – 1967-1970 – 17 Million
Central Press/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)British pop group The Beatles, (left to right) Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, John Lennon (1940 - 1980) and George Harrison (1943 - 2001) in their hotel room in Teignmouth, Devon during the filming of 'The Magical Mystery Tour', 12th September 1967. (Photo by Central Press/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Guns N’ Roses – Appetite For Destruction – 18 Million
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Fleetwood Mac – Rumours – 20 Million
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AC/DC – Back In Black – 22 Million
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Pink Floyd – The Wall – 23 Million
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Led Zeppelin – IV – 23 Million
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Billy Joel – Greatest Hits Volume I & II – 23 Million
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The Beatles – The Beatles (White Album) – 24 Million
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Eagles – Hotel California – 26 Million
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Michael Jackson – Thriller – 33 Million
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Eagles – Their Greatest Hits 1971-1975 – 38 Million
Rick Diamond/Getty Images)NASHVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 16: Timothy B. Schmit, Glen Frey and Don Henley of the Eagles perform during "History Of The Eagles Live In Concert" at the Bridgestone Arena on October 16, 2013 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images)
