Some classic rock musicians aspired to Michael Jackson defined pop in the '80s. Of course, this was not easy to do, as every musician has always faced stiff competition.

Specifically, classic rock spanned from the mid-1960s to the early 1990s. Some of the biggest bands to ever exist were around during this time. They spent years topping charts, writing hits, and becoming global phenoms. Therefore, it would only make sense that a studio album by one of these acts would serve as the best-selling classic rock album ever, but that's not the case. Under most guidelines, that distinction goes to a greatest hits collection.

The Eagles' Greatest Hits Collection Is The Best-Selling Classic Rock Album Ever

Artists Never Know What Might Sell

Beginning in 1971, the Eagles wasted no time getting to work in the studio. By 1972, the band was ready to release their self-titled debut album. Then, instead of slowing down, they stayed on the grind, releasing one in 1973 and another in 1974. With their fourth studio album, One of These Nights, in 1975, the band quickly rose in popularity as it became their first number one album on the US Billboard 200. It also landed them three Top 10 singles and won them their first Grammy Award.

To capitalize on all they had accomplished, the Eagles released a greatest hits collection. The band's first compilation, titled Their Greatest Hits, debuted in February 1976. The record included 10 tracks from across their first four albums. Initially, the album performed as well as they had hoped, spending five weeks as the number one spot on the US Billboard 200 chart.

The band's first compilation, titled Their Greatest Hits, debuted in February 1976.

By the end of the year, Their Greatest Hits continued to hold strong momentum as it ranked as Billboard's fourth-best album of 1976. Then, as time went on, the numbers kept growing. Along with spending over 450 weeks on the US Billboard 200, the album has been certified an astonishing 38x platinum in the United States, ranking it as the best-selling classic rock album of all time. The band's gamble of releasing this album less than a decade into their career paid off.

I Can't Believe No Other Classic Rock Album Has Sured This One

The Hits Were Just That Good

It's incredible that the Eagles have been able to hold this record, especially since they were up against some of the all-time bands of their era, including the AC/DC with their album Back in Black, and Pink Floyd with The Dark Side of the Moon. Some lists even have these albums as higher, but most go with the RIAA's recording of the Eagles' 38 million total sales, which still stands above the rest of classic rock.

RIAA stands for the Recording Industry Association of America. It works with the recording industry, advocating for artists and record labels, serving to protect the rights of artists.

What's even more remarkable for the Eagles is that they may not only have to worry about other bands breaking their record; it may be themselves. Their album Hotel California is at 26x platinum in the United States, ranking it among the greatest-selling records of all time. Ironically, that album was released right after Their Greatest Hits, meaning they produced two of the best-selling classic rock records back to back. With their astonishing sales and a spot in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Eagles' accolades speak for themselves as to why they are one of the greatest classic rock bands ever.

Classic Rock Continues To Be A Golden Age

Will Anything Ever Reach This Level Of Success Again In Sales?

of the Eagles

It's become glaringly clear that, in the streaming era, sales of new albums can hardly compare to those that came before, specifically when the classic rock genre was at its peak. The majority of the US', and the world's, best-selling albums are from the '70s, '80s, and '90s by far, with the most recent addition being Adele's 2011 album 21 (31 million copies sold worldwide). With this data in front of us, it's hard to deny that classic rock was a golden age that may remain unmatched.

Classic rock was a golden age that may remain unmatched.

Accolades aside, however, it's also evident that classic rock had such an influence on music that continues to be seen, and missed, today. These bands, like the Eagles, are still listened to and held up as the legends they truly became by shaping the rock genre and having such a hand in transforming the overall music industry. It's such a testament to the Eagles and classic rock as a whole that their greatest hits compilation has achieved such an impressive record.