Vinyl sales reached a 25 year high of 3.2 million in 2016 it’s been revealed, adding a huge 53% increase from the previous year according to the BPI.
Bowie's 'Blackstar' reins supreme
David Bowie’s final album ‘Blackstar’ was the most bought vinyl disc last year, with the album selling more than double the number of copies of 2015’s biggest seller, ‘25’ by Adele.
The late Amy Winehouse slotted into second place with her final record ‘Back To Black’, whilst Guardians of the Galaxy’s soundtrack ‘mixtape’ came in at third.
Radiohead, Prince, The Beatles, Fleetwood Mac, Nirvana and The Stone Roses were all artists who helped to round out the top 10. Check out the full list of top below:
- David Bowie – ‘Blackstar’
- Amy Winehouse – ‘Back to Black’
- Guardians of the Galaxy Mix 1 – Soundtrack
- Radiohead – ‘A Moon Shaped Pool’
- Fleetwood Mac – ‘Rumours’
- The Stone Roses – ‘Stone Roses’
- Bob Marley – ‘Legend’
- The Beatles – ‘Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band’
- Prince – ‘Purple Rain’
- Nirvana – ‘Nevermind’
Despite the massive increase, it was also revealed that vinyl sales only account for 2.6% of overall sales. CDs and downloads have dropped rapidly, by 11.7% and 29.6% respectively.
‘Blackstar’ became a huge vinyl success following Bowie’s death and after vinyl sleeve designer Barnbrook revealed that there were hidden gems within the sleeve.
In 2016 they revealed: “There are a lot of other things going on that aren’t completely at the surface, but I do hope people see them – not necessarily straight away.
“This thing of keeping the meaning open, I think is better. There’s one big thing which people haven’t discovered yet. Let’s just say, if people find it, they find it. If they don’t, they don’t.”
Following the reveal, one fan discovered that if you left the sleeve exposed to sunlight for long enough, a galaxy of stars was shown. Another saw that when placing it under a UV blacklight it would glow blue.
One Bowie fan counted the total number of points on all six of the black stars in the album’s booklet, realising that they would come to total the age Bowie was when he died; 69.
Meanwhile, this Sunday (January 8) will see a special tribute concert in memory of Bowie take place in his birth place of South London and in celebration of his birthday. A selection of Bowie’s closest friends, family, collaborators and those who were a part of his life will come together to perform and celebrate his life during the event.
Tickets for the Brixton Academy show are now sold out, with proceeds from the show going to benefit Children & The Arts.
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