Top 10 Musical Artists of the Last 50 Years

Music, like any art, is a field in which judgment, taste and opinion are very subjective.  There is often a disconnect between what music is popular, and what certain people think is good. There have always been songs that one half of the population loves while the other half finds abhorrent.

One of the most basic ways to gauge the success of any given musician is to examine his or her record sales.  Certainly some might argue, that this might just mean that a given artist is adept at making catchy yet vapid music.  Be that as it may, there are often reasons that certain artists remain so commercially successful for so long, and many would argue that only those who can truly bring talent and marketability together for long periods of time can truly be called “successful.” This an interesting thing to keep in mind when discussing the ten best selling musical artists of all time.

The Beatles
The Beatles are the ultimate musical success.  No band before or since has ever reached that level of popularity, commercial success, fan adoration all while evolving slowly from poppy boy-band to one of the more introspective and experimental musical acts in history. It is estimated that The Beatles have sold over a billion records and are still finding new fans among the younger generation for whom their music remains relevant.

Elvis Presley
Close behind the Beatles is rock and roll legend Elvis Presley.  His brand of bluesy crooning and his infamous gyrating hips helped him sell over a billion records, to tie with The Beatles  Whatever your feelings about Elvis or his music, it is undeniable that his sound, looks and style changed the face of rock music forever.

Michael Jackson
Another artist who’s success both commercially and artistically is relatively inarguable, is Michael Jackson. Michael Jackson’s career spanned several decades and was responsible for some of the most significant popular music in world history.  Known as an amazing dancer and entertainer as well as a singer, his videos and concerts were unparalleled events. His fans are around the world and despite the numerous personal problems that plagued his life to the end, he remained a profoundly influential artist.

ABBA
Next on the list are Swedish pop band ABBA whose music is still so relevant  today that it was recently made part of hit musical Mamma Mia!

Queen
Who could forget the American rock band Queen?  Bohemian Rhapsody, We Will Rock You and We Are The Champions are some instantly recognizable hits from this band who’s popularity endures even years after the death of lead singer Freddy Mercury.

Madonna and Elton John
Madonna and Elton John have both sold an estimated 250 million albums throughout their lengthy careers.  Not only that, but their timeless classics will live on and on for generations to come.

The Bee Gees
The 7th best-selling artists of all time are disco legends The Bee Gees who are famous for songs like Night Fever and Stayin’ Alive, featured in the hit movie Saturday Night Fever.

Many More….
AC/DC, Pink Floyd, the Rolling Stones, Julio Iglesias, Nana Mouskouri and Celine Dion also hold honors for selling 200 million albums apiece.

Regardless of your feelings about the music or quality of any of these musical artists, it is undeniable that there is something special about being able to create music that moves so many people to want to buy their albums, hear them play shows while on tour and just generally make them a part of their lives.

About the Author
Traveler and blogger on many topics ranging from top travel destinations, top ringtones, to top social media superstars. Follow him on Twitter @VernMarker.

Guy Ritchie: "I Don’t Really Understand Kabbalah as a Religion"

In a telling interview, Guy Ritchie has revealed he doesn’t get his soon-to-be ex wife Madonna‘s faith.”I don’t really understand kabbalah as a religion,” Ritchie told Extra at the Toronto International Film Festival last month.

Ritchie continued: “I don’t think it’s a religion as far as I’m aware.”  Read the full story at USmagazine.com

This is absolutely hilarious if it is true… Madonna’s soon to be ex-husband doesn’t even believe her “religion” is real?  Wow… So you’re telling me Ritchie spent all those years “pretending” to support his wife or was he opposed the entire time?  Granted, the divorce is a great time to air dirty laundry, but this statement doesn’t say much about their marriage to begin with.  Why exactly were they married?

Madonna & A-Rod Together in NYC for Dinner Date

Madonna and New York Yankee Alex Rodriguez took in a cozy dinner for two at Dos Caminos Third Avenue on Tuesday a source told Usmagazine.com.They pair ate at an alcove-like table in the back.

“They seemed very close,” a source told Usmagazine.com.

Rodriguez, who has donated money to her charity Raising Malawi, has yet to discuss the extent of his…

Read the full story at USmagazine.com

Madonna and Alex Rodriguex a Romantic Item? Doubtful…

New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez is rumored to be involved w/ Madonna - something that is pretty hard to believe. Besides the age difference, A-Rod can easily do better and find a hotter woman to cheat on his wife with.

Before jumping on the bandwagon and buying into this rumor, it’s important to consider the circumstances surrounding the news. Madonna has a new album (Hard Candy) and is getting ready for a tour. While “Madge’s” single w/ Justin Timberlake is certainly a deserving chart topper, she’s really past her time, especially for the pop audience that she’s targeting.

Oh, and if you’re wondering what the hell “madge” actually means, here are some enlightening definitions from UrbanDictionary.com. (somewhat vulgar, so use caution young one’s)

A-Rod has been caught before – see previous escapades w/ a stripper – but dropping down to the level of Madonna? Come on… Rodriguez and his teammates are struggling to get back into a possible playoff position, but the chances of it happening are slim. Because of this, the publicity away from baseball helps to take away from the players’ poor performance.

The “Holy Cow”-worthy claims come after The New York Post’s revelations last year that Rodriguez was catting around North America with busty blond stripper Joslyn Morse, and amid recent news Madonna and husband Guy Ritchie have been talking to divorce lawyers.

The Post has also learned that the two egocentric stars share something deeper than the same agent — kabbalah. In recent months, A-Rod has shown active interest in studying the Jewish mystical practice popularized by Madonna, her director hubby, and Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher, sources said. More

This whole situation wreaks of a PR stunt.

In addition to the supposed “relationship” between Madonna and Alex Rodriguez, rumors are floating around that Guy Ritchie and Madonna are getting a divorce. US magazine reported that Ritchie agreed to a divorce and then Madonna’s team reports that there is no divorce.  Let’s get it one way or another – either you are divorcing or you’re not.  Don’t play games.

Madonna’s spokeswoman, Liz Rosenberg, told People, “There are no plans for Madonna and Guy to divorce,” and no truth to the suggestion that the singer and A-Rod are playing ball.

Madonna and Ritchie had no comment last night as they strolled into their Manhattan apartment holding hands.

Whatever happens here – I only hope that this type of fake crap publicity goes away. Create something real, something genuine or get the hell off of the TV and the radio. We don’t need your fake shit.