Recommendations of the Editorial team
The United States may feel politically on the brink of internal conflict in its 250th anniversary year. But there is one thing many Americans seem to agree on: the peaceful, relaxed feeling that the Eagles’ early years still inspire today.
The RIAA announced Thursday that the band’s first compilation, 1976’s “Their Greatest Hits (1971-1975),” became the first LP in history to be awarded Quadruple Diamond status.
This certification means the album has sold more than 40 million copies. This officially makes it the best-selling album of all time in the United States.
Eagles at the forefront of music history
In second place behind the Eagles is still Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” from 1982, which retains its 34x platinum status, most recently certified in 2021. And in third place? Well – the Eagles again. “Hotel California”, which has been certified 28x platinum since Thursday.
This success is also due to the fact that “Their Greatest Hits (1971-1975)” summarizes the band’s career up to 1975 – a year before “Hotel California” was released. So if you want to be a real Eagles fan, you basically need both albums.
For Eagles singer and songwriter Don Henley, the Quadruple Diamond Award marks a cultural milestone. At the same time he referred to another anniversary. “Their Greatest Hits (1971-1975)” was released on February 17, 1976, almost 50 years ago.
Don Henley on persistence and gratitude
“In a time, in a culture where everything seems to become more transient by the day, it is fulfilling to have been part of something that endures even after 50 years,” Henley said in a statement to the Associated Press. “We are amazed and grateful.”
Anniversary with vinyl and Las Vegas
The band celebrates the record with a re-release of “Their Greatest Hits (1971-1975)” on clear, heavyweight vinyl. The Eagles will also play another twelve concerts at the Sphere in Las Vegas. The residency begins on Friday and includes four dates this month and four more in February and March.
The Associated Press also notes that the criteria for diamond awards have changed over time. While an RIAA Diamond certification once meant sales of ten million physical albums, the thresholds have been adjusted in the streaming era.
Streaming counts today
Since 2013, the RIAA has also considered streaming equivalents based on views on YouTube, Spotify and Apple Music. 1,500 streams of an album are now considered one album sale – and Eagles fans have apparently delivered plenty of that.