Rolling Stones Top Albums Ranked by Sales: Rock & Roll Legends in Numbers
The Rolling Stones are one of the most enduring and influential rock bands in history. With over 240 million albums sold worldwide, they have helped define rock & roll across multiple generations. Known for their blues-influenced rock, charismatic performances, and rebellious attitude, the Rolling Stones’ albums remain milestones in the evolution of popular music.
Top-Selling Albums & Legacy
At the top of the Rolling Stones’ albums ranked by sales is the iconic Hot Rocks 1964–1971 compilation (1971), which has sold over 12 million copies in the U.S. alone and more than 15 million worldwide. Featuring classics like “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” and “Jumpin’ Jack Flash,” it represents the band’s early prime years.
Other top-selling albums include Some Girls (1978), which sold around 6 million copies, showcasing their ability to blend rock, disco, and punk influences. Tattoo You (1981), featuring “Start Me Up,” reached 5 million sales, reinforcing the band’s commercial and cultural relevance in the 1980s.
Earlier albums such as Sticky Fingers (1971) and Exile on Main St. (1972) also contributed massively to the band’s commercial success, selling around 4–5 million copies each and cementing their reputation as rock innovators. Compilation albums like Forty Licks (2002) helped introduce their music to new generations, achieving millions of additional sales.
Fun Facts
● Hot Rocks 1964–1971 is the Rolling Stones’ best-selling album worldwide, despite being a compilation.
● The band has been performing live since 1962 and continues to tour, making them one of the longest-running rock bands in history.
● Mick Jagger and Keith Richards are the primary songwriting duo, often referred to as the “Glimmer Twins.”
Trivia
● Some Girls incorporated punk and disco elements, reflecting the changing music scene of the late 1970s.
● Exile on Main St. was recorded partly in a French villa, giving the album a raw and atmospheric sound.
● The iconic Sticky Fingers cover art was designed by Andy Warhol and featured a working zipper.
Did You Know?
● The Rolling Stones were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1989.
● Despite decades of lineup changes, Mick Jagger and Keith Richards have remained the band’s core.
● Many of their albums, including Exile on Main St. and Sticky Fingers, are frequently cited among the greatest rock albums of all time.
Rolling Stones: Origins, Members & Band History
The Rolling Stones were formed in London in 1962 by Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Brian Jones, Charlie Watts, and Bill Wyman. Emerging from the British blues scene, they quickly gained fame with their energetic live shows and rebellious image.
Over the decades, the band became known for blending blues, rock, and later funk and disco influences. Brian Jones passed away in 1969, and the band continued with new members, including Mick Taylor and later Ronnie Wood. Their longevity and consistent touring have made them one of the most influential and commercially successful bands in history.
Selling Albums: Rolling Stones Ranked by Popularity
| Album Name | Total Sales (Millions) | Year of Release |
|---|---|---|
| Hot Rocks 1964–1971 | 15 | 1971 |
| Some Girls | 6 | 1978 |
| Tattoo You | 5 | 1981 |
| Sticky Fingers | 5 | 1971 |
| Exile on Main St. | 4 | 1972 |
| Forty Licks (Compilation) | 4 | 2002 |
| Goats Head Soup | 3 | 1973 |
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