The Beatles have been announced as the biggest selling singles act, in a poll to coincide with HM The Queen’s diamond jubilee celebrations.
The BBC Radio 2 poll revealed the most popular artists since the singles chart began in 1952, the year the Queen acceded to the throne.
The top 10 artists:
- The Beatles
- Elvis Presley
- Cliff Richard
- Madonna
- Michael Jackson
- Elton John
- Queen
- Abba
- David Bowie
- Rihanna
The Beatles had 17 number ones in the United Kingdom between 1963 and 1970, the year their split was announced. Sir Paul McCartney was 11th in the BBC chart, while the group’s former chart rivals The Rolling Stones were at number 13.
Last updated: 4 June 2012
Also on this day...
- 2022: Paul McCartney live: JMA Wireless Dome, Syracuse, New York
- 2022: Ringo Starr live: Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion, Gilford, New Hampshire
- 2012: Paul McCartney live: the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee concert, London
- 2007: UK album release: Memory Almost Full by Paul McCartney
- 1991: US album release: Unplugged (The Official Bootleg) by Paul McCartney
- 1969: US single release: The Ballad Of John And Yoko
- 1968: Recording, mixing: Revolution 1
- 1967: McCartney and Harrison watch Jimi Hendrix in London
- 1965: UK EP release: Beatles For Sale No 2
- 1964: The Beatles’ world tour begins in Copenhagen, Denmark
- 1964: Recording, mixing, editing: Long Tall Sally, Matchbox, I Call Your Name, Slow Down, When I Get Home, Any Time At All, I’ll Cry Instead
- 1963: Live: Town Hall, Birmingham
- 1962: Rehearsal: Cavern Club, Liverpool
- 1961: Live: Top Ten Club, Hamburg
- 1960: Live: Grosvenor Ballroom, Wallasey
Want more? Visit the Beatles history section.
