Who is the most successful solo act on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart?

Having sold more than 300 million records worldwide, Madonna is recognized as the best-selling female recording artist of all time by Guinness World Records. The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) listed her as the second highest-certified female artist in the United States, with 64.5 million album units. According to Billboard, Madonna is the most successful solo act on the Hot 100 singles chart, overall second only to the Beatles. She is also the highest-grossing solo touring artist of all time, earning U.S. $1.31 billion from her concert tickets since 1990. Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in her first year of eligibility, Madonna topped VH1's countdown of 100 Greatest Women in Music. Additionally, Rolling Stone listed her among the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time and the 100 Greatest Songwriters of All Time.

Madonna Louise Ciccone (born August 16, 1958) is an American singer, songwriter, actress, and businesswoman. A leading presence during the emergence of MTV in the 1980s, Madonna is known for pushing the boundaries of lyrical content in mainstream popular music, as well as visual imagery in music videos and live performances. She has also frequently reinvented both her music and image while maintaining autonomy within the recording industry.

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36 Comments

Albeck1994

Jenney Berge, but elvis comes in 4th behind the Beatles Madonna and Elton John. Sorry to spoil your dayday

Michael Neal

Madonna was born in 1958 making her almost 60. This means she is in the peer range of many of you angry, ornery quiz clubbers. Yet you don't like her either.

Joseph A. Robitaille

I believe if Elvis was still alive it be a no contest. I pick Madonna because she is living. I don't like her actions! It was a good question and answer.

Albeck1994

Ken Orton, no elvis is 4th

billyboy915

Jenney Berge, Your opinion stinks, too. Because YOU don't like the subject, the question stinks? So much for objectivity! By the way, "The King" got bloated and stale after settling in at Las Vegas. The likes of Madonna and Michael Jackson, neither of them phonies, continued to grow, always changing with the times. They both "toped" Elvis by a wide margin.

gnorris

Great question. I got it! Thought it might have been Prince but his name wasn't there so I went with Madonna.

blharris

I see I wasn't the only one who thought MJ due to his thriller album

Tammi Brass

I thought it was MJ, but love Madonna too!

Don Racette

Diding Otico No!!!

Dave Levett

Been around the longest.

Les Griffin

When Elvis was belting them out population was smaller & market significantly so, Elvis is still king

Leslie Davies

Any of the other 3 would be better

Noreen Kelly

I chose Elvis but they were all big music sellers!

Barbara Shaw

Always thought Elvis was the king but I expect he was bound to be overtaken eventually poor chap. I remember how horrified our parents were by him... he looks quite mild really and he was a churchgoing boy who loved his mamma. Shame man!

davidgrimsrud

she has been at it the longest

Norm Ireland

Crap! Mariah Carey is higher.

Jacqueline Tattam

Dan Green, grow up

Larry Freeman

dianemcqiinn, You are correct that "is" implies present tense: you are wrong in your interpretation of the question and answer. Madonna IS the most successful SOLO act on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart; has nothing to do with whether or not she's still breathing. Elvis ranks #4 on the list, again, has nothing to do with being alive, only based upon a complicated formula considering number of weeks at the #1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 between 1958 and 2015.

Larry Freeman

#2 all time--right behind the Beatles... ♫ I love you ♪ yeah yeah yeah ♫.

Ed Taber

It would be interesting to see how it breaks down as a percentage of the market. Kid markets are infinitely larger now than in the 50's. Madonna did her 'best' to get Hillary elected, kudos.