Grateful Dead Break Record For Most US Top 40 Albums
Grateful Dead have broken the record for the most Top 40 albums on the US Billboard 200 chart, surpassing previous holders of the title Elvis Presley and Frank Sinatra.
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The Dead’s latest archive release, Dave’s Picks Vol 49, has become their 59th album to enter the Top 40. Presley, Sinatra, and the Dead were previously tied with 58 Top 40 albums each.
“This could be the most unlikely and unexpected record in music history, and is a testament to a few things,” said David Lemieux, the band’s legacy manager and audio archivist. “First and foremost is the exceptional and consistent quality of the Grateful Dead’s more than 2,000 live shows. On the heels of this is the loyalty and passion of the many Dead Heads who have made this record possible. And to top it off, the Grateful Dead have a partnership with Rhino that ensures these many album releases are produced with care, love, and respect for both the band’s music and legacy, and the Dead Heads themselves.
“It’s an honor and privilege to work for this community, and our aim is to keep building on this record by delivering the quality of recordings Dead Heads have come to expect for many years ahead.”
The news comes as Grateful Dead offshoot band Dead and Company have added six extra dates to their Sphere Las Vegas residency, Dead Forever.
The band, comprising Grateful Dead members Bob Weir and Mickey Hart alongside John Mayer, Oteil Burbridge, Jeff Chimenti and Jay Lane, have extended the run of dates into July.
Tickets for the new shows on 4, 5, 6, 11, 12 and 13 July go on general sale at 10am local time on Friday (9 February) and registration for pre-sale tickets is open now.