100 Years of Billboard Charts - Most Successful Artists from 1926 to 2025

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1968 Herb Alpert (& The Tijuana Brass)
Herb Alpert was the most successful artist of the year for a 2nd time in 1968. He also became the 15th most successful artist of this period. Mostly with his band but also with solo hits.
His success in 1968 was mostly due to another number 1 album "Beat Of The Brass" with his band.
https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album ... the-brass/
But Herb also scored a huge solo hit single with "This Guy's In Love With You" which went to number 1.

The Beatles were second only to Herb Alpert again but they rose to 7th place overall during 1968, thanks to number 1 album releases like "Magical Mystery Tour (Soundtrack)".
https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album ... tery-tour/
And thanks to their biggest single released to date "Hey Jude".
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_MjCqQoLLA

1926 - 1968
1 Bing Crosby
2 Frank Sinatra
3 Glenn Miller & His Orchestra
4 Guy Lombardo & His Royal Canadians
5 Elvis Presley
6 Tommy Dorsey & His Orchestra
7 The Beatles
8 Perry Como
9 Benny Goodman & His Orchestra
10 Jimmy Dorsey & His Orchestra
11 Johnny Mathis
12 Nat King Cole
13 Mitch Miller
14 Ray Charles
15 Herb Alpert (& The Tijuana Brass)

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1969 The Beatles (& John Lennon)
John Lennon started his solo career in 1969 with hit singles like "Give Peace A Chance". In 1969 Glen Campbell was more successful than The Beatles, but John Lennon's body of work in 1969 was more successful still. This was the 3rd year that John Lennon had led the charts in his recording career. A feat only achieved by Jackie Gleason and only beaten by Bing Crosby. The Beatles remained in 7th place overall in 1969, but John was the most successful of the four members of the group.
"The Beatles [White Album]" was their biggest chart success of the year.
https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album ... ite-album/
"Get Back" was their biggest single of the year.

Elvis Presley was not as successful during the 1960's as he was in the late 50's but he still had hits albums and singles, and in 1969, he surpassed Guy Lombardo to become the 4th most successful artist of this period.
Since 1962, his biggest album was "Golden Records Vol. 3" which reached number 3 and charted between 1963-1964.
https://rateyourmusic.com/release/comp/ ... -volume-3/
But Elvis was resurgent in 1969 when he had his biggest hit of this latter period with "Suspicious Minds".
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxOBOhRECoo

Since 1966, Johnny Mathis achieved enough success to surpass Jimmy Dorsey and rise to 10th place overall. His biggest success of this period was a moderate hit album called "Love Is Blue" which charted between 1968-1969.
https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album ... e-is-blue/

1926 - 1969
1 Bing Crosby
2 Frank Sinatra
3 Glenn Miller & His Orchestra
4 Elvis Presley
5 Guy Lombardo & His Royal Canadians
6 Tommy Dorsey & His Orchestra
7 The Beatles (& John Lennon)
8 Perry Como
9 Benny Goodman & His Orchestra
10 Johnny Mathis
11 Jimmy Dorsey & His Orchestra
12 Nat King Cole
13 Mitch Miller
14 Ray Charles
15 Herb Alpert (& The Tijuana Brass)

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1970 The Beatles (& John Lennon)
Despite Creedence Clearwater Revival being more successful than The Beatles in 1970, John Lennon's body of work that year, including his solo releases was more successful than any artist had been since The Monkees were in 1967. John had led the charts on 4 separate years. Only Bing Crosby had achieved more over 7 separate years. And The Beatles including John's solo work rose to 6th place overall.
"Abbey Road" was their biggest chart success of the year.
https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album ... bbey-road/
"Let It Be" was their biggest single of the year, although John's solo release "Instant Karma (We All Shine On)" was not far behind.

Since 1967, Ray Charles kept charting and by 1970, he became the 13th most successful artist of this period. His biggest success of the last 3 years was his album from 1968 "A Portrait Of Ray".
https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album ... it-of-ray/
His biggest hit since 1967 was "If You Were Mine", a moderate hit in 1970.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XY4FbcnLO0A

1926 - 1970
1 Bing Crosby
2 Frank Sinatra
3 Glenn Miller & His Orchestra
4 Elvis Presley
5 Guy Lombardo & His Royal Canadians
6 The Beatles (& John Lennon)
7 Tommy Dorsey & His Orchestra
8 Perry Como
9 Benny Goodman & His Orchestra
10 Johnny Mathis
11 Jimmy Dorsey & His Orchestra
12 Nat King Cole
13 Ray Charles
14 Mitch Miller
15 Herb Alpert (& The Tijuana Brass)

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1971 Chicago
Chicago topped the charts in 1971. They had multiple charting albums and singles since they began charting in 1969, but their biggest success in 1971 was their album "Chicago III".
https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album ... icago-iii/
And they managed a Top 10 hit in 1971 with "Beginnings/Colour My World".

and
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cWkXmx-0phc

By 1971, Elvis Presley had become more successful than the late great Glenn Miller and was 3rd overall. Since his resurgence in 1969, Elvis kept the hits coming, but his biggest success of those 2 years "The Wonder Of You / Mama Liked The Roses", only went to Top 10.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F5eEvfOyb7k
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J6uf_ObZQ6Q

1926 - 1971
1 Bing Crosby
2 Frank Sinatra
3 Elvis Presley
4 Glenn Miller & His Orchestra
5 Guy Lombardo & His Royal Canadians
6 The Beatles (& John Lennon)
7 Tommy Dorsey & His Orchestra
8 Perry Como
9 Benny Goodman & His Orchestra
10 Johnny Mathis
11 Jimmy Dorsey & His Orchestra
12 Nat King Cole
13 Ray Charles
14 Mitch Miller
15 Herb Alpert (& The Tijuana Brass)

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1972 Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson was not just the frontman for his brothers in The Jacksons. He started his solo career in 1971, only 2 years after The Jacksons first entered the charts in 1969. In 1972, Michael was more successful than The Jacksons and his body of work that year surpassed the significant success of Roberta Flack during 1972.
Michael Jackson's biggest chart success for the year, either with or without his brothers, was his solo number 1 hit single "Ben".

In 1972, Paul McCartney proved what many suspected. He was more commercially minded than John Lennon and sure enough his solo work became more successful than John's since The Beatles ended. While The Beatles remained 6th overall. It was Paul McCartney's accumulated body of work that was ranked 6th, since he was the now the most successful ex Beatle.
Paul's greatest chart success as a solo artist to date was still his first solo album "McCartney" which was released in 1970 and charted until 1971.
https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album ... mccartney/
But his biggest hit "Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey" went number 1 for 1 week in 1971.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DupyAkOZLYA

The Supremes were the most successful female group of the 60's. They started charting in 1962 and by the end of 1972, The Supremes sometimes billed as Diana Ross & The Supremes, was the 15th most successful artist over this period, and the most successful of all female artists.
Their greatest chart success was with their number 1 album "Diana Ross And The Supremes Greatest Hits" which charted from 1967 to 1969.
https://rateyourmusic.com/release/comp/ ... test_hits/
Their biggest success on the singles chart was "Love Child" which charted over 1968-1969.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdmGO-GvHyo

1926 - 1972
1 Bing Crosby
2 Frank Sinatra
3 Elvis Presley
4 Glenn Miller & His Orchestra
5 Guy Lombardo & His Royal Canadians
6 The Beatles (& Paul McCartney)
7 Tommy Dorsey & His Orchestra
8 Perry Como
9 Benny Goodman & His Orchestra
10 Johnny Mathis
11 Jimmy Dorsey & His Orchestra
12 Nat King Cole
13 Ray Charles
14 Mitch Miller
15 (Diana Ross &) The Supremes

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1973 Paul McCartney
The Beatles were back in the charts in 1973 with compilation albums, but Paul McCartney's solo work was even more successful with hit albums and singles that year, and combined, his body of work allowed him to be the biggest artist of 1973 beating out the great success of Elton John that year. This was the 3rd year that Paul had topped the charts and only one less than John Lennon. The Beatles combined with Paul's solo work had now risen to 5th overall over this period.
Paul's biggest chart success of the year was the album "The Beatles 1967-1970".
https://rateyourmusic.com/release/comp/ ... lue-album/
His biggest single of the year was "My Love".

Diana Ross started her solo career in 1970 when she left the Supremes. By 1973 her solo successes surpassed the dwindling chart successes of The Supremes who carried on without her. And by the end of 1973, Diana Ross' body of work with The Supremes and as a solo artist rose to 13th position overall.
Diana Ross equaled the highest position reached by Doris Day back in 1956 and again in 1960. This was the highest position held by female artists since Ruth Etting was placed 6th over the period 1926-1931.
Diana's biggest chart success of the year was her number 1 album "Lady Sings The Blues (Soundtrack)".
https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album ... the-blues/
Her biggest single "Touch Me In The Morning" also went to number 1 in 1973.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6rQ-p0WnGd8

1926 - 1973
1 Bing Crosby
2 Frank Sinatra
3 Elvis Presley
4 Glenn Miller & His Orchestra
5 The Beatles (& Paul McCartney)
6 Guy Lombardo & His Royal Canadians
7 Tommy Dorsey & His Orchestra
8 Perry Como
9 Benny Goodman & His Orchestra
10 Johnny Mathis
11 Jimmy Dorsey & His Orchestra
12 Nat King Cole
13 (Diana Ross &) The Supremes
14 Ray Charles
15 Mitch Miller

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1974 Elton John
Elton John in 1974 was more successful than any artist since The Beatles & John Lennon had been in 1970. Elton started scoring chart success in 1970. His biggest chart success since then was also his biggest in 1974, the album "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road", which went to number 1 in 1973 and remained in the charts throughout 1974.
https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album ... rick-road/
Elton's biggest single of the year, the number 1 hit "Bennie And The Jets", was also the biggest of his career to date.

Paul McCartney had great success in the 1974. Together with The Beatles catalog, he rose to 4th position overall.
His biggest chart success of the year was the number 1 album "Band On The Run".
https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album ... n-the-run/
And the title track from that album was also his biggest single of the year.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5P_VfLun96o

1926 - 1974
1 Bing Crosby
2 Frank Sinatra
3 Elvis Presley
4 The Beatles (& Paul McCartney)
5 Glenn Miller & His Orchestra
6 Guy Lombardo & His Royal Canadians
7 Tommy Dorsey & His Orchestra
8 Perry Como
9 Benny Goodman & His Orchestra
10 Johnny Mathis
11 Jimmy Dorsey & His Orchestra
12 Nat King Cole
13 (Diana Ross &) The Supremes
14 Ray Charles
15 Mitch Miller

[StevieFan13]

I’m nervous for when the post-30s artists eventually wipe out all the older ones.

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1975 Elton John
Elton John was even more successful in 1975, but still not at the level seen by The Beatles & John Lennon in 1970. His biggest chart success of the year was another number 1 hit album "Captain Fantastic And The Brown Dirt Cowboy".
https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album ... rt-cowboy/
And his biggest single of the year became the biggest of his career to date. Another number 1 called "Philadelphia Freedom".

The Top 15 artists were unchanged in 1975.

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1976 Paul McCartney
Paul McCartney in 1976, enjoyed a 4th year where he had led the charts and he now equaled John Lennon's record. Together they held a record that only Bing Crosby had beaten, and now in 1976, Paul McCartney's body of work with The Beatles and as a solo artist, was 2nd only to Bing as well.
A wave of nostalgia in 1976, saw many Beatle albums and 2 singles enter the charts. Paul McCartney had even greater success that year and combined his body of work beat out the next most successful artist for the year, Peter Frampton. But it was Paul's solo work, the Wings album "At The Speed Of Sound", that had the biggest chart success for the year.
https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album ... -of-sound/
And the biggest single for the year for Paul was his "Silly Love Songs". The 3rd most successful charting song of Paul's career to date, including The Beatles catalogue.

Since 1973, Diana Ross had her biggest success with the number 1 "Love Hangover" in 1976. Her body of work with The Supremes and as a solo artist had now risen to 11th place overall.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yOzO_4NS8NI

The Rolling Stones are the only artists of the rock era that could compete with The Beatles. They scored chart hits as early as The Beatles did in 1964, but found greater success as the 60's gave way to the 70's. By 1976, they had finally been placed 15th overall.
Their biggest chart success of their career to date was the compilation album "Hot Rocks 1964-1971", that only reached number 4 but charted from 1972-1975.
https://rateyourmusic.com/release/comp/ ... 1964-1971/
Their most successful single of their career to date was their number 1 hit from 1969 "Honky Tonk Women".
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JuW9Sk8znqQ

1926 - 1976
1 Bing Crosby
2 The Beatles (& Paul McCartney)
3 Frank Sinatra
4 Elvis Presley
5 Glenn Miller & His Orchestra
6 Guy Lombardo & His Royal Canadians
7 Tommy Dorsey & His Orchestra
8 Perry Como
9 Benny Goodman & His Orchestra
10 Johnny Mathis
11 (Diana Ross &) The Supremes
12 Jimmy Dorsey & His Orchestra
13 Nat King Cole
14 The Rolling Stones
15 Ray Charles

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1977 Fleetwood Mac
Fleetwood Mac was bigger in 1977, than any artist had been in a single year since The Monkees in 1967. Their album "Rumours" dominated the charts that year, and sat at number 1 for 29 weeks.
https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album ... c/rumours/
They also enjoyed a number 1 hit with "Dreams" that year.

Sadly, Elvis' death in 1977 overshadows the year when he finally surpassed Frank Sinatra and returned to 3rd position, which he last held in 1975. He had threatened to overtake Frank during the mid 70's with big successes since 1972, like his number 1 hit album "Aloha From Hawaii Via Satellite" which charted between 1973-1974.
https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album ... satellite/
The moderate hit "Way Down" in 1977, was his biggest hit since 1972, but it was sufficient for Elvis to surpass Frank. The wave of albums and songs that hit the charts following Elvis' death just confirmed the inevitable.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AcLiwsjvj04

1926 - 1977
1 Bing Crosby
2 The Beatles (& Paul McCartney)
3 Elvis Presley
4 Frank Sinatra
5 Glenn Miller & His Orchestra
6 Guy Lombardo & His Royal Canadians
7 Tommy Dorsey & His Orchestra
8 Perry Como
9 Benny Goodman & His Orchestra
10 Johnny Mathis
11 (Diana Ross &) The Supremes
12 Jimmy Dorsey & His Orchestra
13 Nat King Cole
14 The Rolling Stones
15 Ray Charles

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1978 Bee Gees
Bee Gees in 1978 had the most successful year of any artist in the 70's to date. More successful than any artist since The Monkees had been in 1967. The album "Saturday Night Fever" remained number 1 for 24 weeks, mostly due to the songs contributed by the Bee Gees.
https://rateyourmusic.com/release/comp/ ... ght-fever/
Those songs produced 3 massive number 1 hits in 1978 alone. The biggest of which was of course "Stayin' Alive".

Mick Jagger started a minor solo career in 1978. He was the most successful of any solo Rolling Stone and his body of work with the band and as a solo artist, rose to 13th position overall. 1978 was a huge year for The Rolling Stones. They had another huge chart success with their number 1 album "Some Girls".
https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album ... ome-girls/
And they also scored the 2nd biggest single of their career to date. The number 1 hit song "Miss You".
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PKVXSo9ROpg

1926 - 1978
1 Bing Crosby
2 The Beatles (& Paul McCartney)
3 Elvis Presley
4 Frank Sinatra
5 Glenn Miller & His Orchestra
6 Guy Lombardo & His Royal Canadians
7 Tommy Dorsey & His Orchestra
8 Perry Como
9 Benny Goodman & His Orchestra
10 Johnny Mathis
11 (Diana Ross &) The Supremes
12 Jimmy Dorsey & His Orchestra
13 The Rolling Stones (& Mick Jagger)
14 Nat King Cole
15 Ray Charles

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1979 Donna Summer
Donna Summer had a huge year in 1979. It was also the first time a female, in her own right, had topped the charts in any single year over this period. Only the two Marys had shared the top of the charts before. Mary of Les Paul And Mary Ford in 1951, and Mary of Peter, Paul & Mary in 1963.
Donna's biggest success of the year was her number 1 album "Bad Girls".
https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album ... bad-girls/
And she also had 3 huge number 1 singles during the year. The biggest of which was "Hot Stuff".

The Rolling Stones, combined with Mick Jagger's solo work, rose to 12th position in 1979. Their biggest success of the year was still the album "Some Girls" which remained in the Top 20 during the year. Their only other hit of the year was "Shattered", which just missed the Top 30.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wjz6l_4MqHM

With a chart career that started in 1963, Barbra Streisand entered this list at 15th place overall in 1979, and became the 2nd most successful female artist. The biggest chart success of her career to date was her number 1 album "People" which charted between 1964-1966.
https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album ... nd/people/
Her most successful single to date "Evergreen (Love Theme From 'A Star Is Born')" went to number 1 and charted between 1976-1977.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7PT1W1c17c

1926 - 1979
1 Bing Crosby
2 The Beatles (& Paul McCartney)
3 Elvis Presley
4 Frank Sinatra
5 Glenn Miller & His Orchestra
6 Guy Lombardo & His Royal Canadians
7 Tommy Dorsey & His Orchestra
8 Perry Como
9 Benny Goodman & His Orchestra
10 Johnny Mathis
11 (Diana Ross &) The Supremes
12 The Rolling Stones (& Mick Jagger)
13 Jimmy Dorsey & His Orchestra
14 Nat King Cole
15 Barbra Streisand

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1980 Kenny Rogers
Kenny Rogers dominated the charts in 1980. He first charted in 1968, but the biggest chart success of his career to date, the album "The Gambler" had been charting from 1978-1980.
https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album ... e-gambler/
And it was in 1980, when Kenny released the biggest single of his career to date, "Lady".

The career success of The Supremes and Diana Ross' solo work hit a new high in 1980. They surpassed Benny Goodman and reached 9th overall. Diana Ross released another number 1, "Upside Down" in 1980, the biggest hit single of her entire career to date, including The Supremes.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hDHW5wXBvLw
Her album "Diana" released in 1980 was the 5th biggest album of her career to date, including The Supremes.
https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album ... oss/diana/

Barbra Streisand rose to 14th place overall in 1980. Her biggest success of the year was the album "Guilty".
https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album ... nd/guilty/
Her biggest hit in 1980 was the number 1 hit "Woman In Love".
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQLGCX8D-1Y

Herb Alpert returned to 15th place in 1980. His number 1 hit "Rise" charted between 1979 and 1980. It was the biggest hit of his entire career.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oaiRajbOpxQ

1926 - 1980
1 Bing Crosby
2 The Beatles (& Paul McCartney)
3 Elvis Presley
4 Frank Sinatra
5 Glenn Miller & His Orchestra
6 Guy Lombardo & His Royal Canadians
7 Tommy Dorsey & His Orchestra
8 Perry Como
9 (Diana Ross &) The Supremes
10 Benny Goodman & His Orchestra
11 Johnny Mathis
12 The Rolling Stones (& Mick Jagger)
13 Jimmy Dorsey & His Orchestra
14 Barbra Streisand
15 Herb Alpert (& The Tijuana Brass)

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1981 REO Speedwagon
REO Speedwagon was the most successful artist of 1981. The band started scoring hits in 1974, but in 1981 they hit big with the biggest album of their career to date, the number 1 "Hi Infidelity".
https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album ... idelity-8/
And with the biggest single of their career to date, the number 1 "Keep On Loving You".

In 1981, Diana Ross had the biggest hit of her career to date with "Endless Love", a duet with Lionel Richie.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Bwwo7ctG10
Her career success as a solo artist and with The Supremes, surpassed Perry Como and reached 8th overall, although the majority of her success was still from her worrk with The Supremes.

The Rolling Stones (& Mick's solo work) rose to become the 10th most successful artist of the period 1926 to 1981. Since 1979 their biggest chart success was the number 1 album "Emotional Rescue" which charted over both 1980 and 1981.
https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album ... al-rescue/
"Start Me Up" was their biggest single since 1979 and it was the 2nd biggest hit of their career to date.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SGyOaCXr8Lw

Barbra Streisand rose to 13th place overall in 1981. In 1981, her hit album "Guilty" from 1980 was still charting strongly.
Her biggest hit of 1981 was "What Kind Of Fool", a duet with Barry Gibb from the Bee Gees.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hfIR9NCcUKI
But her number 1 single "Woman In Love" from 1980 was still charting in 1981 and by the end of the year it became the biggest hit of her career to date.

1926 - 1981
1 Bing Crosby
2 The Beatles (& Paul McCartney)
3 Elvis Presley
4 Frank Sinatra
5 Glenn Miller & His Orchestra
6 Guy Lombardo & His Royal Canadians
7 Tommy Dorsey & His Orchestra
8 (Diana Ross &) The Supremes
9 Perry Como
10 The Rolling Stones (& Mick Jagger)
11 Benny Goodman & His Orchestra
12 Johnny Mathis
13 Barbra Streisand
14 Jimmy Dorsey & His Orchestra
15 Herb Alpert (& The Tijuana Brass)

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1982 Fleetwood Mac (& Stevie Nicks)
Since 1977, Fleetwood Mac were one of the biggest bands in the world and in 1981 Stevie Nicks started her solo career. In 1982 her body of work with Fleetwood Mac and on her own, beat out John Cougar who had a great year himself, to be the most successful of the year.
Their biggest success in 1982 was the Fleetwood Mac album "Mirage", but Stevie Nicks' first solo album "Belladonna" did almost as well during the year.
https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album ... ac/mirage/
Their biggest hit during the year was "Hold Me" by Fleetwood Mac.

The Top 15 artists were unchanged in 1982.

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1983 Michael Jackson
In 1983, all eyes were on Michael Jackson. He was the most successful artist in any year, since Herb Alpert in 1966, and it was the 2nd time he had topped the charts in any single year.
His career with his brothers and as a solo artist became the 15th most successful of this period, but it was as part of The Jacksons, that Michael scored the greatest cummulative success of his career to date.
Nevertheless in 1983, his monster solo album "Thriller" had already become the biggest chart success of his entire career to date.
https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album ... /thriller/
And his biggest solo single in 1983, "Billie Jean" was the biggest of 3 number 1 hits he had that year, and the biggest hit of his career to date, with or without his brothers.

1926 - 1983
1 Bing Crosby
2 The Beatles (& Paul McCartney)
3 Elvis Presley
4 Frank Sinatra
5 Glenn Miller & His Orchestra
6 Guy Lombardo & His Royal Canadians
7 Tommy Dorsey & His Orchestra
8 (Diana Ross &) The Supremes
9 Perry Como
10 The Rolling Stones (& Mick Jagger)
11 Benny Goodman & His Orchestra
12 Johnny Mathis
13 Barbra Streisand
14 Jimmy Dorsey & His Orchestra
15 The Jacksons (& Michael Jackson)

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1984 Prince
Prince led the charts in 1984. He first charted in 1978 but his biggest chart success in 1984, the number 1 album "Purple Rain (Soundtrack)" was already the 2nd biggest of his career to date in its first year of release.
https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album ... rple-rain/
And the number 1 single "When Doves Cry" was already the biggest of his career to date.

Since 1981, The Rolling Stones' biggest chart success was the album "Tattoo You" which went to number 1 in 1981 and kept charting into 1982 and was now the 2nd biggest album of their career to date. The combined career success of The Rolling Stones and Mick Jagger's solo work, rose to 9th place overall.
https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album ... attoo-you/
Mick Jagger had a bigger hit in this period than The Rolling Stones with "State Of Shock", his solo collaboration with The Jacksons.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6zCwubK5-6g

In 1984, Barbra Streisand rose to 12th place. Her biggest success of the year was her album "Memories", which charted in each of the three years since 1981.
https://rateyourmusic.com/release/comp/ ... /memories/
Her biggest hit of the year was "Comin' In And Out Of Your Life".
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5wz8_7WM6k

The monster album "Thriller" was still number 1 for 15 weeks during 1984 and charted for all 52 weeks of the year. By the end of 1984, The Jacksons including Michael's solo work had reached 13th place overall.
Their biggest hit of 1984 was "State Of Shock", a collaboration between The Jacksons and Mick Jagger which reached number 3.
But Michael Jackson's other solo collaboration with Paul McCartney, "Say Say Say", which had reached number 1 in 1983, remained at number 1 into 1984. The song became Michael Jackson's biggest hit single of his career to date.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aLEhh_XpJ-0

Elton John had been a major artist since he first charted in 1970. His biggest chart successes to date were between 1970 and 1975, but by 1984 he became the 15th most successful artist of this period. His biggest chart success in the period 1976-1986 was his album "Too Low For Zero" which charted between 1983-1984.
https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album ... -for-zero/
His biggest single released over the period 1976-1986 was his number 1 hit duet with Kiki Dee from 1976, "Don't Go Breaking My Heart".
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0qW9P-uYfM

1926 - 1984
1 Bing Crosby
2 The Beatles (& Paul McCartney)
3 Elvis Presley
4 Frank Sinatra
5 Glenn Miller & His Orchestra
6 Guy Lombardo & His Royal Canadians
7 Tommy Dorsey & His Orchestra
8 (Diana Ross &) The Supremes
9 The Rolling Stones (& Mick Jagger)
10 Perry Como
11 Benny Goodman & His Orchestra
12 Barbra Streisand
13 The Jacksons (& Michael Jackson)
14 Johnny Mathis
15 Elton John

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1985 Madonna
Madonna was the most successful artist of 1985. She first charted in 1983 and her album "Like A Virgin" was a huge chart success in 1985 but only her 2nd biggest album over the period 1983-1985.
https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album ... -a-virgin/
Likewise her huge hit of the year "Crazy For You", was also the 2nd biggest single of her short career to date.

The Top 15 artists were unchanged in 1985.

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1986 Genesis (& Phil Collins)
Genesis started charting in 1973 but when their drummer Phil Collins started his solo career in 1981, he found huge success both with the band and with his solo work, which during 1986, surpassed Whitney Houston great success of the same year.
In 1986, Genesis had the most success, but the biggest succeess of the year was Phil''s album "No Jacket Required", which went to number 1 in 1985 but charted every week of the year in 1986.
https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album ... -required/
Their biggest hit of the year was Genesis' "Invisible Touch", which reached number 3.

Since 1984, Barbara Streisand released "The Broadway Album" which reached number 1 and charted between 1985-1986. By the end of the year she rose to 11th place overall.
https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album ... y-album-7/
Her biggest hit of this period "Somewhere", was a minor hit that also charted between 1985-1986.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cAu3a7CMA84

1926 - 1986
1 Bing Crosby
2 The Beatles (& Paul McCartney)
3 Elvis Presley
4 Frank Sinatra
5 Glenn Miller & His Orchestra
6 Guy Lombardo & His Royal Canadians
7 Tommy Dorsey & His Orchestra
8 (Diana Ross &) The Supremes
9 The Rolling Stones (& Mick Jagger)
10 Perry Como
11 Barbra Streisand
12 Benny Goodman & His Orchestra
13 The Jacksons (& Michael Jackson)
14 Johnny Mathis
15 Elton John

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1987 U2
U2 were the most successful artist of 1987. Their chart successes that year were the biggest of their career to date, that started in 1981. Their number 1 album "The Joshua Tree" was their biggest success for the year.
https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album ... shua-tree/
And their number 1 single "With or Without You" was the biggest of their 2 number 1 hits that year, both of which, were the biggest hits of their career to date.

By the end of 1987, Michael Jackson's solo success surpassed anything he achieved with his brothers, and his entire body of work became the 11th most successful of this period. It was also in 1987 that Michael released his smash number 1 album "Bad". After 14 weeks on the charts it was already his 4th most successful album of his career to date.
https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album ... ckson/bad/
His biggest hit for the year was "I Just Can't Stop Loving You", his collaboration with Siedah Garrett, which reached number 1.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ADiz6lUHko

1926 - 1987
1 Bing Crosby
2 The Beatles (& Paul McCartney)
3 Elvis Presley
4 Frank Sinatra
5 Glenn Miller & His Orchestra
6 Guy Lombardo & His Royal Canadians
7 Tommy Dorsey & His Orchestra
8 (Diana Ross &) The Supremes
9 The Rolling Stones (& Mick Jagger)
10 Perry Como
11 Michael Jackson
12 Barbra Streisand
13 Benny Goodman & His Orchestra
14 Johnny Mathis
15 Elton John

[b1mb0w]

1988 George Michael
George Michael had a great year during 1988, and was more successful in a single year than any artist since Prince in 1984. George started his solo chart success in 1984, but his biggest success was his album "Faith" released in 1987. It appeared in each of the 53 chart weeks in 1988 and was number 1 for 12 of those.
https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album ... ael/faith/
His biggest single of 1988, the number 1 hit "One More Try". It was one of 4 number 1 hits he had that year, but only the 3rd biggest of his solo career to date.

In 1988, Michael Jackson's biggest success was still his album "Bad" which reached number 2 during the year and appeared on all 53 weekly charts for the year.
He also had another 3 number 1 hits during the year, the biggest of which was "Man In The Mirror". By the end of 1988, Michael Jackson rose to become the 10th most successful artist of this period.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PivWY9wn5ps

Elton John surpassed Benny Goodman by the end of 1988 to take 13th place for this period.
His biggest success since 1984 was his number 1 collaboration with Dionne Warwick, Gladys Knight & Stevie Wonder. "That's What Friends Are For" charted during 1985-1986 and became the biggest hit of Elton John's career to date.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HyTpu6BmE88

1926 - 1988
1 Bing Crosby
2 The Beatles (& Paul McCartney)
3 Elvis Presley
4 Frank Sinatra
5 Glenn Miller & His Orchestra
6 Guy Lombardo & His Royal Canadians
7 Tommy Dorsey & His Orchestra
8 (Diana Ross &) The Supremes
9 The Rolling Stones (& Mick Jagger)
10 Michael Jackson
11 Perry Como
12 Barbra Streisand
13 Elton John
14 Benny Goodman & His Orchestra
15 Johnny Mathis

[b1mb0w]

1989 New Kids On The Block
In 1989, New Kids On The Block were the most successful artist of any year since Michael Jackson in 1983. Since debuting on the charts in 1988, they scored their biggest chart success with the number 1 album "Hangin' Tough".
https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album ... n-tough-2/
And their single "I'll Be Loving You (Forever)" went to number 1 in 1989 and was the biggest of their short career to date.

Elton John's biggest success of 1989 was "Healing Hands" which only reached number 13 on the charts.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ImP5gvqFrnA
But it was enough for him to surpass Barbra Streisand and take 12th place overall.

1926 - 1989
1 Bing Crosby
2 The Beatles (& Paul McCartney)
3 Elvis Presley
4 Frank Sinatra
5 Glenn Miller & His Orchestra
6 Guy Lombardo & His Royal Canadians
7 Tommy Dorsey & His Orchestra
8 (Diana Ross &) The Supremes
9 The Rolling Stones (& Mick Jagger)
10 Michael Jackson
11 Perry Como
12 Elton John
13 Barbra Streisand
14 Benny Goodman & His Orchestra
15 Johnny Mathis

[b1mb0w]

1990 M.C. Hammer
In 1990, M.C. Hammer's album "Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em" was number 1 for 21 weeks and easily his biggest success of the year, and he was the biggest artist of the year.
https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album ... t-hurt-em/
His biggest hit of the year was "Have You Seen Her".

Elton John rose to 11 place by the end of 1990. His biggest success of the year was the album "Sleeping With The Past", which first charted in 1989 but was still a moderate hit in 1990.
https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album ... -the-past/
His biggest single of the year, "Sacrifice", only reached the Top 20.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NrLkTZrPZA4

1926 - 1990
1 Bing Crosby
2 The Beatles (& Paul McCartney)
3 Elvis Presley
4 Frank Sinatra
5 Glenn Miller & His Orchestra
6 Guy Lombardo & His Royal Canadians
7 Tommy Dorsey & His Orchestra
8 (Diana Ross &) The Supremes
9 The Rolling Stones (& Mick Jagger)
10 Michael Jackson
11 Elton John
12 Perry Como
13 Barbra Streisand
14 Benny Goodman & His Orchestra
15 Johnny Mathis

[b1mb0w]

1991 Mariah Carey
Mariah Carey started her charting career in 1990 and by the end of 1991 she already had 5 number 1 hit singles. She was the biggest artist of 1991.
Her biggest success of the year was her self-titled album which was number 1 for 11 weeks that year.
https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album ... iah-carey/
Her biggest hit of the year was "Emotions", which of course was a number 1 hit.

The Top 15 artists were unchanged in 1991.

[b1mb0w]

1992 Garth Brooks
In 1992, Garth Brooks was the most successful artist of any year since Michael Jackson in 1983. Garth started his chart career in 1990 and achieved all his success to date with album releases only. The biggest of which was his album "Ropin' The Wind" that went to number 1 in 1991 and also in 1992.
https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album ... -the-wind/

Since 1988, Michael Jackson biggest chart success was the album "Dangerous" that charted, and went to number 1, in both 1991 and 1992.
https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album ... dangerous/
Likewise his biggest single "Black Or White" since 1988, also charted and went to number 1, in both 1991 and 1992.

By the end of 1992, Michael replaced Diana Ross body of work, as a solo artist and with The Supremes, at 8th place overall.

1926 - 1992
1 Bing Crosby
2 The Beatles (& Paul McCartney)
3 Elvis Presley
4 Frank Sinatra
5 Glenn Miller & His Orchestra
6 Guy Lombardo & His Royal Canadians
7 Tommy Dorsey & His Orchestra
8 Michael Jackson
9 (Diana Ross &) The Supremes
10 The Rolling Stones (& Mick Jagger)
11 Elton John
12 Perry Como
13 Barbra Streisand
14 Benny Goodman & His Orchestra
15 Johnny Mathis

[b1mb0w]

1993 Whitney Houston
Whitney was far more successful in 1993 than she was in 1986, and finally in 1993, she topped the charts for the year. Her biggest chart success of the year was the album "The Bodyguard". Number 1 for 17 weeks that year but only the 2nd biggest album of her career to date.
https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album ... bodyguard/
But her biggest single of 1993 "I Will Always Love You", was the biggest of her career to date.

The Top 15 artists were unchanged in 1993.

[b1mb0w]

1994 Ace Of Base
Ace Of Base were more successful in 1994 than any artist since Michael Jackson in 1983. Their biggest success of the year was their song "The Sign" which topped the charts for 6 weeks in 1994.

Phil Collins' solo success exceeded anything achieved by his former band Genesis, and in 1994, his body of work became the 15th most successful of this period.
Since 1986, his biggest success was his solo album "...But Seriously" which reached number 1 and charted between 1989-1991. It was the 2nd biggest album of his career to date.
https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album ... seriously/
And his biggest hit since 1986 was "Another Day In Paradise" a number 1 which charted between 1989-1990. It was the 2nd biggest single of his career to date.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qt2mbGP6vFI

1926 - 1993
1 Bing Crosby
2 The Beatles (& Paul McCartney)
3 Elvis Presley
4 Frank Sinatra
5 Glenn Miller & His Orchestra
6 Guy Lombardo & His Royal Canadians
7 Tommy Dorsey & His Orchestra
8 Michael Jackson
9 (Diana Ross &) The Supremes
10 The Rolling Stones (& Mick Jagger)
11 Elton John
12 Perry Como
13 Barbra Streisand
14 Benny Goodman & His Orchestra
15 Phil Collins

[b1mb0w]

1995 Hootie & The Blowfish
Hootie & The Blowfish led the charts in 1995.
Their album "Cracked Rear View" was number 1 for 8 weeks during the year.
https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album ... rear-view/
Their biggest hit of the year was "Hold My Hand" which reached number 10 on the charts.

Since 1992, Michael Jackson continued to have most success with his "Dangerous" album which remained in the Top 10 into 1993. Michael Jackson rose to replace Tommy Dorsey at 7th place overall by the end of 1995.
His biggest hit since 1992 was "You Are Not Alone" which went number 1 in 1995.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7EoTFO3U0Y

Since 1990, Elton John biggest success was "Can You Feel The Love Tonight (From 'The Lion King')" which stayed in the charts for 26 weeks during 1994. It was the biggest hit of his career to date and by the end of 1996, Elton had risen to 9th place overall.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjgWWjkNbhU

Since 1984, The Rolling Stones' biggest chart success was the album "Steel Wheels" which charted between 1989-1990.
https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album ... el-wheels/
And their biggest single was "Harlem Shuffle" from 1986.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nAkMTu6q2pY
Mick Jagger charted with some moderate album and singles success as well over those 11 years, like his solo album "She's The Boss" from 1985. By the end of 1995, The Rolling Stones including Mick Jagger's solo work had surpassed Diana Ross to retain 10th place overall.

1926 - 1995
1 Bing Crosby
2 The Beatles (& Paul McCartney)
3 Elvis Presley
4 Frank Sinatra
5 Glenn Miller & His Orchestra
6 Guy Lombardo & His Royal Canadians
7 Michael Jackson
8 Tommy Dorsey & His Orchestra
9 Elton John
10 The Rolling Stones (& Mick Jagger)
11 (Diana Ross &) The Supremes
12 Perry Como
13 Barbra Streisand
14 Benny Goodman & His Orchestra
15 Phil Collins

[b1mb0w]

1996 Celine Dion
Celine Dion led the charts in 1996. Her biggest success was her number 1 album "Falling Into You".
https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album ... -into-you/
Her biggest hit of the year was her number 1 "Because You Loved Me (From 'Up Close & Personal')".

The Top 15 artists were unchanged in 1996.

[b1mb0w]

1997 Spice Girls
In 1997 Spice Girls were the most successful artist of the year. Their album "Spice" was a number 1 hit and their biggest success of the year.
https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album ... rls/spice/
Their number 1 smash "Wannabe" was their biggest hit of the year.

Since 1986, Barbra Streisand's biggest success was her number 1 album "Back To Broadway", which charted between 1993-1994. By the end of 1997, she rose to 12th place overall.
https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album ... -broadway/

Since 1994, Phil Collins' biggest success was a minor hit in 1997 called "Dance Into The Light", but it was enough for him to take 14th place overall.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZnD6HqCKZI

1926 - 1997
1 Bing Crosby
2 The Beatles (& Paul McCartney)
3 Elvis Presley
4 Frank Sinatra
5 Glenn Miller & His Orchestra
6 Guy Lombardo & His Royal Canadians
7 Michael Jackson
8 Tommy Dorsey & His Orchestra
9 Elton John
10 The Rolling Stones (& Mick Jagger)
11 (Diana Ross &) The Supremes
12 Barbra Streisand
13 Perry Como
14 Phil Collins
15 Benny Goodman & His Orchestra

[b1mb0w]

1998 Usher
Usher led the charts in 1998. His biggest chart success of the year was his number 2 single "My Way".

Elton John surpassed Tommy Dorsey during 1998 to take 8th place overall.
"Candle In The Wind 1997 / Something About The Way You Look Tonight" was released in 1997. It was number 1 for 12 weeks that year and stayed at number 1 for another 2 weeks in 1998. It became the biggest hit of Elton John's career to date.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxb0GeS4gL8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B93Tir6l5FA

Since her successful year in 1985, Madonna remained close to the top of the charts for the subsequent 13 years. Over that time she had her biggest success with her compilation album "The Immaculate Collection" which only reached number 2 but which charted from 1990 to 1993 and was her 3rd biggest album of her career to date.
https://rateyourmusic.com/release/comp/ ... ollection/
Her biggest single over those 13 years was "Take A Bow", a number 1 for 7 weeks, which charted in 1994 and 1995, and which was the biggest hit of her career to date. By the end of 1998 Madonna became the 14th most successful artist and 3rd most successful female overall.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XDeiovnCv1o

1926 - 1998
1 Bing Crosby
2 The Beatles (& Paul McCartney)
3 Elvis Presley
4 Frank Sinatra
5 Glenn Miller & His Orchestra
6 Guy Lombardo & His Royal Canadians
7 Michael Jackson
8 Elton John
9 Tommy Dorsey & His Orchestra
10 The Rolling Stones (& Mick Jagger)
11 (Diana Ross &) The Supremes
12 Perry Como
13 Barbra Streisand
14 Madonna
15 Phil Collins

[b1mb0w]

1999 Backstreet Boys
Backstreet Boys were more successful in 1999 than any artist since Hootie & The Blowfish in 1995. Backstreet Boys first charted in 1995 but 2000 was a breakthrough year. Their biggest chart success of the year was their number 1 album "Millennium".
https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album ... illennium/
And their biggest single of the year was "I Want It That Way".

The Top 15 artists were unchanged in 1999.

[b1mb0w]

2000 Destiny's Child
Destiny's Child dominated the charts in 2000, thanks to releases like their biggest success, the huge number 1 hit "Say My Name". The biggest hit of their career to date, since they started charting in 1997.

The Top 15 artists were unchanged in 2000.

[b1mb0w]

2001 Destiny's Child
Destiny's Child topped the charts for a second year in 2001 and set a new record for female artists of 2 years at the top. Their biggest chart success of the year was the number 1 album "Survivor".
https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album ... /survivor/
And their biggest single of the year was the title track from the album which went to number 2.

Since 1995, Michael Jackson's biggest success was the moderate hit "You Rock My World" during 2001, but by the end of the year, Michael Jackson rose to 6th place overall.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4tpuu-Up90

Madonna had significant chart successes since 1998, like the number 1 hit "Music", which was the 2nd biggest hit of her career to date. In 2001, Madonna surpassed Barbra Streisand. She rose to 12th place overall and become the 2nd most successful female artist of this period.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sdz2oW0NMFk

1926 - 2001
1 Bing Crosby
2 The Beatles (& Paul McCartney)
3 Elvis Presley
4 Frank Sinatra
5 Glenn Miller & His Orchestra
6 Michael Jackson
7 Guy Lombardo & His Royal Canadians
8 Elton John
9 Tommy Dorsey & His Orchestra
10 The Rolling Stones (& Mick Jagger)
11 (Diana Ross &) The Supremes
12 Madonna
13 Barbra Streisand
14 Perry Como
15 Phil Collins

[b1mb0w]

2002 Ashanti
Ashanti in 2002, was the most successful artist of any year since Michael Jackson in 1983.
Her biggest chart release of the year, the song "Foolish", was number 1 for 10 weeks during the year.

The Top 15 artists were unchanged in 2002.

[b1mb0w]

2003 50 Cent
50 Cent in 2003, was the most successful artist of any year since Michael Jackson in 1983.
50 Cent's biggest success of the year was "Get Rich Or Die Tryin'", which stayed at number 1 for 6 weeks.
https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album ... die-tryin/
His biggest hit of the year was "In Da Club", which stayed at number 1 for 9 weeks.

The Top 15 artists were unchanged in 2003.

[b1mb0w]

2004 Usher
Usher scored his 2nd year on top of the charts in 2004 but was far more successful than he was back in 1998. He was the most successful artist in a single year since Michael Jackson was in 1983.
Usher's biggest success of 2004, was "Yeah!" which topped the charts for 12 weeks and was easily the biggest hit of his career to date.

The Top 15 artists were unchanged in 2004.

[b1mb0w]

2005 50 Cent
50 Cent scored his 2nd year on top in 2005, but he wasn't as successful as he was in 2003.
His biggest success of 2005 was "The Massacre", a number 1 album, and the 2nd biggest of his career to date.
https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album ... -massacre/
His biggest hit of the year was "Disco Inferno", which only reached number 3 but was the 2nd biggest hit of his career to date.

Mariah Carey continued her hugely successful career since she topped the charts in 1991. Her career started in 1990, and her biggest success to date was still her self-titled debut album.
https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album ... iah-carey/
But in 2005, she had the biggest hit of her career to date with "We Belong Together" which stayed at number 1 for 14 weeks, and by the end of the year, she was the 15th most successful artist of this period, and the 4th most successful female artist.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0habxsuXW4g

1926 - 2005
1 Bing Crosby
2 The Beatles (& Paul McCartney)
3 Elvis Presley
4 Frank Sinatra
5 Glenn Miller & His Orchestra
6 Michael Jackson
7 Guy Lombardo & His Royal Canadians
8 Elton John
9 Tommy Dorsey & His Orchestra
10 The Rolling Stones (& Mick Jagger)
11 (Diana Ross &) The Supremes
12 Madonna
13 Barbra Streisand
14 Perry Como
15 Mariah Carey

[b1mb0w]

2006 Rascal Flatts
Rascal Flatts led the charts in 2006 by a small margin. Their biggest chart success of the year was their top 10 hit "What Hurts The Most".

Mariah Carey's biggest success of 2006 and was her Top 10 album "The Emancipation Of Mimi".
https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album ... n-of-mimi/
Her biggest hit of the year was the number 1 "Don't Forget About Us", and with that she rose to 14th place overall.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8tZkzL4j3BU

1926 - 2006
1 Bing Crosby
2 The Beatles (& Paul McCartney)
3 Elvis Presley
4 Frank Sinatra
5 Glenn Miller & His Orchestra
6 Michael Jackson
7 Guy Lombardo & His Royal Canadians
8 Elton John
9 Tommy Dorsey & His Orchestra
10 The Rolling Stones (& Mick Jagger)
11 (Diana Ross &) The Supremes
12 Madonna
13 Barbra Streisand
14 Mariah Carey
15 Perry Como

[b1mb0w]

2007 Akon
Akon in 2007 was almost as successful as Usher was back in 2004.
His biggest hit of the year was "The Sweet Escape", a collaboration with Gwen Stefani.

The Top 15 artists were unchanged in 2007.

[b1mb0w]

2008 Lil Wayne
Lil Wayne had a great year in 2008 when he led the charts.
His biggest success of the year was his album "Tha Carter III" was went to number 1 for 3 weeks.
https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album ... arter-iii/
And his biggest hit of the year was "Got Money", which reached the top 10.

Mariah Carey rose to 13th place overall in 2008, when she replaced Barbra Streisand to become the 3rd most successful female artist.
Since 2006, her biggest success was the single "Touch My Body" which went to number 1 during 2008.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9b8erWuBA44

1926 - 2008
1 Bing Crosby
2 The Beatles (& Paul McCartney)
3 Elvis Presley
4 Frank Sinatra
5 Glenn Miller & His Orchestra
6 Michael Jackson
7 Guy Lombardo & His Royal Canadians
8 Elton John
9 Tommy Dorsey & His Orchestra
10 The Rolling Stones (& Mick Jagger)
11 (Diana Ross &) The Supremes
12 Madonna
13 Mariah Carey
14 Barbra Streisand
15 Perry Como

[StevieFan13]

Guy Lombardo and Tommy Dorsey are hanging the fuck in there, good for them.

[b1mb0w]

2009 Taylor Swift
Taylor Swift's charting career started in 2006 and by 2009 she led the charts for the year.
Her album "Fearless" was number 1 for 9 weeks during the year and was the 2nd biggest album of her career to date.
https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album ... /fearless/
Her biggest hit was "You Belong With Me" which reached number 2 in 2009 and was the 2nd biggest hit of her career to date.

The Top 15 artists were unchanged in 2009.

[b1mb0w]

2010 Drake
Drake's charting career started in 2009 and in 2010 he led the charts for the year.
His biggest hit of the year was "Find Your Love" which reached the Top 10.

The Top 15 artists were unchanged in 2010.

[b1mb0w]

2011 Lil Wayne
Lil Wayne scored his 2nd year on top of the charts in 2011 but was far more successful than he was back in 2008. He was more successful than Michael Jackson was in 1983, or any other artist, since Herb Alpert in 1966.
Lil Wayne had a huge number of releases and collaborations during the year. The biggest of which was his Top 10 collaboration with Chris Brown called "Look At Me Now".

Since 1998, Elton John had some success with his compilation album "Greatest Hits 1970-2002" which only reached number 12, but charted between 2002 and 2004.
https://rateyourmusic.com/release/comp/ ... 1970-2002/
His biggest hit since 1998, was one minor hit in 1999, a collaboration with LeAnn Rimes called "Written In The Stars". By the end of 2011, he had surpassed Guy Lombardo to take 7th place overall.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A1Rwv4iAqIQ

1926 - 2011
1 Bing Crosby
2 The Beatles (& Paul McCartney)
3 Elvis Presley
4 Frank Sinatra
5 Glenn Miller & His Orchestra
6 Michael Jackson
7 Elton John
8 Guy Lombardo & His Royal Canadians
9 Tommy Dorsey & His Orchestra
10 The Rolling Stones (& Mick Jagger)
11 (Diana Ross &) The Supremes
12 Madonna
13 Mariah Carey
14 Barbra Streisand
15 Perry Como

[b1mb0w]

2012 Nicki Minaj
Nicki Minaj collaborated on many releases in 2012 and was on top of the charts for the year.
Her biggest success of the year was her Top 10 hit "Starships".

The Top 15 artists were unchanged in 2012.

[b1mb0w]

2013 Justin Timberlake
Justin Timberlake's body of work was the most successful of 2013. Justin easily had the most successful solo career of his band mates from *N Sync. In fact his solo success over-shadowed anything *N Sync achieved.
The biggest success of his many releases and collaborations and *N Sync compilation albums that charted in 2013, was his number 2 hit "Mirrors".

Since 2011, Lil Wayne's success continued with his own releases and collaborations. By the end of 2013, his body of work rose to 15th place overall.
His biggest success since 2011, was "The Motto", a collaboration with Drake in 2012.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMGBOcUhqu0

1926 - 2013
1 Bing Crosby
2 The Beatles (& Paul McCartney)
3 Elvis Presley
4 Frank Sinatra
5 Glenn Miller & His Orchestra
6 Michael Jackson
7 Elton John
8 Guy Lombardo & His Royal Canadians
9 Tommy Dorsey & His Orchestra
10 The Rolling Stones (& Mick Jagger)
11 (Diana Ross &) The Supremes
12 Madonna
13 Mariah Carey
14 Barbra Streisand
15 Lil Wayne

[b1mb0w]

2014 Sam Smith
Sam Smith topped the charts in 2014 by a small margin.
His biggest hit of the year was the number 2 hit "Stay With Me".

Since 2001, Michael Jackson was a regular on the charts. His biggest chart success over the 13 years until 2014 was his compilation album "Number Ones" which never reached the top 10 but charted between from 2003 to 2014 and was his 5th biggest album success to date.
https://rateyourmusic.com/release/comp/ ... mber-ones/
His biggest hit since 2001 was "Love Never Felt So Good", a collaboration with Justin Timberlake which reached the Top 10 in 2014.
But his hit from 2001 "Butterflies" continued charting into 2002. It never reached the Top 10 but it was a bigger hit overall. By the end of 2014, Michael Jackson rose to 5th place overall.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=csvNBRZfFpo

Lil Wayne rose to 14th position during 2014. His biggest success of the year was the single "Loyal" by Chris Brown, in which he featured along with Tyga.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JXRN_LkCa_o

1926 - 2014
1 Bing Crosby
2 The Beatles (& Paul McCartney)
3 Elvis Presley
4 Frank Sinatra
5 Michael Jackson
6 Glenn Miller & His Orchestra
7 Elton John
8 Guy Lombardo & His Royal Canadians
9 Tommy Dorsey & His Orchestra
10 The Rolling Stones (& Mick Jagger)
11 (Diana Ross &) The Supremes
12 Madonna
13 Mariah Carey
14 Lil Wayne
15 Barbra Streisand

[b1mb0w]

2015 Drake
In 2015, Drake was far more successful than when he first topped the charts in 2010. He was more successful than Lil Wayne was in 2011. He was the most successful artist in a single year since Herb Alpert in 1966. His biggest chart success of 2015, the number 1 mixtape album "If You're Reading This It's Too Late" was only the 4th biggest of his career to date.
https://rateyourmusic.com/release/mixta ... -too-late/
His biggest hit during the year was "Hotline Bling".

The Top 15 artists were unchanged in 2015.