The Eagles’ Greatest Hits Becomes the Bestselling Album in U.S. History
Eagles have set a new benchmark in recorded music history. The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) announced Thursday that the band’s 1976 compilation Their Greatest Hits (1971–1975) has been certified quadruple diamond, marking more than 40 million units sold in the United States. With that milestone, the album is now officially the bestselling album in U.S. history.
The quadruple diamond designation places the Eagles ahead of every other artist in the American catalog. The longtime runner-up remains Michael Jackson’s Thriller, which currently holds a 34-times platinum certification, most recently updated in 2021. The Eagles also occupy the third spot on the all-time list: Hotel California received a new certification this week, rising to 28-times platinum.
Originally released on February 17, 1976, Their Greatest Hits (1971–1975) arrived at a pivotal moment for the band, collecting material from their first four studio albums just one year before Hotel California would redefine their commercial peak. Nearly five decades later, the compilation’s enduring popularity continues to drive its historic sales totals.
Don Henley, reflecting on the album’s longevity, framed the achievement as a testament to durability in an increasingly transient cultural landscape. “In an age where so much feels temporary, it’s meaningful to have been part of something that has lasted,” Henley said in a statement to the Associated Press. “We are both amazed and deeply grateful.”
The band is marking the achievement with a reissue of Their Greatest Hits (1971–1975) on clear, heavyweight vinyl, aimed at longtime collectors and new listeners alike. In addition, the Eagles are extending their high-profile residency at Sphere in Las Vegas. The run includes 12 additional shows, beginning this week, with dates scheduled across January, February, and March.
The RIAA’s certification also underscores how album sales are now calculated in the streaming era. While diamond status once represented 10 million physical copies sold, the organization revised its methodology in 2013 to include streaming equivalents. Under current standards, 1,500 on-demand audio or video streams count as one album unit. The Eagles’ continued dominance across platforms such as Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube has played a significant role in pushing the compilation past the 40-million mark.
Though the Eagles’ catalog has long been a staple of American rock radio, this certification formalizes their unmatched commercial reach. Nearly 50 years after its release, Their Greatest Hits (1971–1975) remains not only a defining document of the band’s early years, but now, conclusively, the most consumed album in U.S. history.
