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Oasis, The Beatles, Rihanna, Madonna And More Feature In The UK's Best Selling Singles Chart













The Beatles have held off artist such as Elvis Presley and Madonna to be declared the biggest selling UK singles act since charts began 60 years ago.

The Fab Four notched up 17 number ones during their relatively brief eight year chart domination, but split more than 40 years ago.

But performers whose careers have decades longer in some cases - such as Sir Cliff Richard - have failed to outsell them, a new Radio 2 chart reveals.

A countdown to be broadcast today of the all-time biggest sellers since the singles chart began in 1952 - the year the Queen took the throne - shows The Beatles are still unsurpassed.

Presley, who continued to have strong sales in the past decade thanks to a reissue campaign with tracks such as A Little Less Conversation, is ranked second.

Sir Cliff who has had 124 top 40 hits and 14 number ones finished in third place in the list compiled by the Official Charts Company.

Madonna, who has made the top 40 more than 60 times, is ranked fourth.

There are some surprising entries with Rihanna, who charted for the first time in only 2005 is in tenth place, yet The Rolling Stones - who racked up their first hit in 1963 - make it to only number 13. However, although the wrinkly rockers have continued to release singles over the years, they have failed to dent the top ten since 1981.

Tony Blackburn will count down the chart from 2pm to 5pm which shows US rapper Eminem (placed 18th) is ahead of enduring chart stars such as Sir Tom Jones and U2.

DJ and producer David Guetta (ranked 49) manages to finish ahead of big names such as Coldplay (60) and Duran Duran (51).

Sir Paul McCartney is listed twice for his Beatles years and his solo career (number 11), and George Michael is similarly in the chart twice, for his own hits (21) and as a member of Wham! (43).

Blackburn, who will play each artist's biggest hit in the Bank Holiday show , said: "This chart offers a fascinating look at the past 60 years in music and shows the impact that modern stars like Rihanna and Katy Perry have had.

"The list is really varied and will provide something for everyone. There are definitely a few surprises in store - Coldplay being at 60 for one! It is sure to be an interesting listen and will be a great way to spend the Bank Holiday afternoon."

Radio 2's head of music Jeff Smith said: "This list is intriguing, Adele is missing and we've all forgotten just how huge artists such as Shakin' Stevens, Boney M and UB40 were in the UK in the Seventies and Eighties."

The Top 60:

01. Beatles
02. Elvis Presley
03. Cliff Richard
04. Madonna
05. Michael Jackson
06. Elton John
07. Queen
08. Abba
09. David Bowie
10. Rihanna

11. Paul McCartney
12. Kylie Minogue
13. Rolling Stones
14. Rod Stewart
15. Take That
16. Stevie Wonder
17. Oasis
18. Eminem
19. Whitney Houston

20. Spice Girls
21. George Michael
22. Robbie Williams
23. Bee Gees
24. U2
25. Shakin' Stevens
26. Britney Spears
27. Status Quo
28. Lady Gaga
29. Boyzone

30. Blondie
31. Slade
32. Black Eyed Peas
33. Boney M
34. Westlife
35. Celine Dion
36. Beyonce
37. UB40
38. Olivia Newton John
39. Mariah Carey

40. Tom Jones
41. Madness
42. Police
43. Wham!
44. Phil Collins
45. Diana Ross
46. Jam
47. Bryan Adams
48. Pet Shop Boys
49. David Guetta

50. Adam Ant
51. Duran Duran
52. Frank Sinatra
53. Frankie Goes To Hollywood
54. Prince
55. Katy Perry
56. Wet Wet Wet
57. Everly Brothers
58. Shadows
59. Pink
60. Coldplay

Source: www.independent.co.uk

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