U.S. album sales up 6 percent to 755 million units in '99

Back - Index - Submissions - - What is RSS? Date: Jan 06, 2000 Source: Reuters/Variety Submitted By: LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - U.S. album sales grew about 6 percent to a new high of 755 million units in 1999, fueled by teen pop stars such as the Backstreet Boys and Britney Spears, according SoundScan figures released Wednesday. Of the industry's five top major music labels, Seagram Co. Ltd.'s Universal Music led the market with 26.39 percent of total album sales, based on new product and older catalog items. Sony Corp.'s Sony Music ranked second with 16.27 percent, followed by Bertelsmann AG's BMG with 16.07 percent. Time Warner Inc.'s Warner Music ranked fourth with 15.77 percent, followed by EMI Group Plc with 9.45 percent. Independent labels accounted for 16.05 percent. Rankings based only on current product released within the last 15 months put Seagram's Universal again in the lead with 26.85 percent, BMG second with 19.61 percent, and Sony third with 17.03 percent. Warner ranked fourth with 13.68 percent and EMI was fifth with 8.21 percent. ``It was a huge increase over last year. It's great for the team and great for all of our labels,'' BMG chief Strauss Zelnick told Reuters. ``Whenever we see spikes like this, its a result of the industry producing big hits,'' he said. BMG distributed five of the year's top 10-selling albums, including the biggest-grossing album, ``Millenium'' by the Backstreet Boys, which sold 9.4 million units, and albums by teen singers Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera. BMG also distributed Santana's major comeback album ``Supernatural,'' and rappers TLC's ``FanMail.'' Universal's industry lead is solid, following 1998's mega-merger between Seagram and PolyGram, and was boosted by the year's big-selling rock album by Limp Bizkit and hit rap act Eminem. Sony's hits were highlighted by Latin sensation Ricky Martin and the country music trio Dixie Chicks, which also graced the year's Top 10 selling albums. ``The major thing these figures show is the continued viability of music,'' said Jay Cooper, an entertainment lawyer representing clients such as Sheryl Crow and Jerry Seinfeld. ``In addition to television, radio and concerts, music is now enjoying even more exposure via the Internet,'' he said. Reuters/Variety Comment on this item. Recent Comments Submitted by: johnanz http://imrdsoacha.gov.co/silvitra-120mg-qrms Submitted by: Barneyxcq pIoxmm http://www.LnAJ7K8QSpfMO2wQ8gO.com Submitted by: Barneyxcq K3ACcI http://www.LnAJ7K8QSpfMO2wQ8gO.com Submitted by: JimmiXzS whUpYS http://www.FyLitCl7Pf7kjQdDUOLQOuaxTXbj5iNG.com Submitted by: chaba rKyap6 http://www.FyLitCl7Pf7kjQdDUOLQOuaxTXbj5iNG.com Submitted by: JimmiXzS N2ABJw http://www.FyLitCl7Pf7kjQdDUOLQOuaxTXbj5iNG.com Submitted by: JimmiXzS OvHwh3 http://www.FyLitCl7Pf7kjQdDUOLQOuaxTXbj5iNG.com Submitted by: JimmiXzS nNdzRB http://www.FyLitCl7Pf7kjQdDUOLQOuaxTXbj5iNG.com Submitted by: JimmiXzS i6MkbD http://www.FyLitCl7Pf7kjQdDUOLQOuaxTXbj5iNG.com Submitted by: Bradley jq0jLi http://www.FyLitCl7Pf7kjQdDUOLQOuaxTXbj5iNG.com Click here to see more comments. Comment on this item. Next Item: Backstreet Boys winning over critics too Prev Item: Artistdirect secures financing