RIAA certs show varied consumer taste
Almost nothing, musically. But the divergent artists have attained multiplatinum album sales in the Recording Industry Assn. of America's October sales certifications, reflecting the increasing fragmentation of consumer taste during the last three years.
Vandross has hit 2 million in sales for his "The Best of Luther Vandross--The Best of Love," released on Epic; Guns N' Roses is now at 4 million for "Use Your Illusion II" on Geffen; Wynonna Judd's "Wynonna," her first solo album after splitting with mother Naomi, has moved 2 million Curb/MCA units; Extreme's breakthrough album "Pornograffitti" has sold 2 million units for A&M; and Adams' "Waking Up the Neighbors" on A&M has now sold 3 million units.
Platinum albums for the month, certified for 1 million units sold, include Mary J. Blige, "What's the 411?" on Uptown/MCA; the soundtrack to "Singles," released on Epic; Lionel Richie's "Back to Front" on Motown; Bobby Brown's "Bobby" on MCA; and Eric Clapton's "Unplugged" on Reprise.
October's new gold albums, certified for sales of 500,000 units, include INXS , "Welcome to Wherever You Are" on Atlantic; the soundtrack to "Honeymoon in Vegas" on Epic; House of Pain's self-titled album on Tommy Boy; DJ Quik's "Way 2 Fonky" on Profile; EPMD's "Business Never Personal" on Rush Associated/Chaos/Columbia; Travis Tritt's "T-R-O-U-B-L-E" on Warner Bros.; Damn Yankees' "Don't Tread" on Warner Bros.; Sebastian's self-titled album on Walt Disney Records; Warrant's "Dog Eat Dog" on Columbia; Mark Chesnutt's "Long Necks and Short Stories" on MCA; Bobby Brown's "Bobby" on MCA; Eric Clapton's "Unplugged" on Reprise; and Neil Diamond's "Greatest Hits" on Columbia.
