Additional Coverage:
- Only 31 albums in history have been certified 15x platinum or more — here they all are (businessinsider.com)
Music Milestones: A Look at America’s Elite Multi-Platinum Albums
The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) stands as the definitive arbiter of commercial success in the US music industry, meticulously tracking sales and streams to bestow its coveted Gold, Platinum, and Diamond awards. While artists and labels must formally request verification of their sales figures – meaning some blockbusters may await official certification – the RIAA’s designations remain the gold standard for prestige and achievement.
An exclusive club of albums has reached the extraordinary benchmark of 15x platinum or higher, signifying sales of at least 15 million copies within the United States. This illustrious list features just 31 albums, a testament to enduring popularity and cultural impact.
Among these titans, legendary acts like the Eagles, The Beatles, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, and Garth Brooks boast multiple entries, underscoring their unparalleled influence. Notably, only four women or female-fronted bands have achieved this rare feat: Alanis Morissette, Shania Twain, Fleetwood Mac, and Whitney Houston.
Green Day’s “Dookie” is the most recent album to join this elite group, while The Eagles’ “Their Greatest Hits (1971–1975)” holds the distinction of being the RIAA’s highest-certified album to date.
Here is a chronological look at the albums that have earned the prestigious 15x platinum certification or higher, based on their initial certification date:
- “The Dark Side of the Moon” by Pink Floyd achieved 15x platinum status on June 4, 1998.
- “Jagged Little Pill” by Alanis Morissette was initially certified 16x platinum on July 29, 1998.
Its certification was later updated to 17x platinum on January 12, 2024.
- “The Wall” by Pink Floyd reached 23x platinum on January 29, 1999.
- “1962–1966” by The Beatles (also known as the “Red Album”) was certified 15x platinum on February 6, 2001.
- “Boston” by Boston earned 17x platinum on November 20, 2003.
- “Supernatural” by Santana was certified 15x platinum on December 10, 2003.
- “Come On Over” by Shania Twain achieved a remarkable 20x platinum on November 15, 2004.
- “Physical Graffiti” by Led Zeppelin was certified 16x platinum on January 30, 2006.
- “Double Live” by Garth Brooks initially reached 21x platinum on November 1, 2006.
Its certification was subsequently updated to 23x platinum on November 14, 2023.
- “Greatest Hits” by Journey was certified 15x platinum on April 22, 2008, and later updated to 18x platinum on January 26, 2024.
- “Appetite for Destruction” by Guns N’ Roses earned 18x platinum on September 23, 2008.
- “1967–1970” by The Beatles (known as the “Blue Album”) was certified 17x platinum on August 27, 2010.
- “Greatest Hits – Volume I & Volume II” by Billy Joel achieved 23x platinum on October 26, 2011.
- “Metallica” by Metallica was certified 16x platinum on December 13, 2012.
Its certification was updated to 20x platinum on May 28, 2025.
- “Legend” by Bob Marley & The Wailers reached 15x platinum on May 23, 2014, with an update to 18x platinum on December 6, 2024.
- “Rumours” by Fleetwood Mac earned 20x platinum on October 3, 2014, and was updated to 21x platinum on July 19, 2023.
- “Greatest Hits” by Elton John was certified 17x platinum on April 28, 2016.
- “Saturday Night Fever” by the Bee Gees, the soundtrack to the iconic 1977 film, reached 16x platinum on November 16, 2017.
- “The Bodyguard” by Whitney Houston, the soundtrack to the 1992 film, was certified 18x platinum on November 17, 2017, and later updated to 19x platinum on June 25, 2025.
- “Cracked Rear View” by Hootie & the Blowfish achieved 21x platinum on May 21, 2018, with an update to 22x platinum on June 20, 2024.
- “Hotel California” by the Eagles earned a remarkable 26x platinum on August 20, 2018.
- “Their Greatest Hits (1971–1975)” by the Eagles set a record with 38x platinum on August 20, 2018.
- “The Beatles” by The Beatles (commonly known as the “White Album”) was certified 24x platinum on February 21, 2019.
- “Back in Black” by AC/DC reached 25x platinum on December 6, 2019, and was updated to 27x platinum on August 21, 2024.
- “No Fences” by Garth Brooks was certified 18x platinum on February 14, 2020.
- “Thriller” by Michael Jackson achieved an astounding 34x platinum on August 20, 2021.
- “Greatest Hits 1974–78” by the Steve Miller Band was certified 15x platinum on October 27, 2021.
- “Led Zeppelin IV” by Led Zeppelin (the untitled fourth studio album) earned 24x platinum on November 8, 2021.
- “Born in the U.S.A.” by Bruce Springsteen reached 17x platinum on May 25, 2022.
- “Slippery When Wet” by Bon Jovi was certified 15x platinum on July 23, 2024.
- “Dookie” by Green Day achieved 20x platinum on September 16, 2024.
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- Only 31 albums in history have been certified 15x platinum or more — here they all are (businessinsider.com)