It’s the battle of the titans as Elvis Presley and Ed Sheeran slug it out for pole position in this week’s UK Album Charts. Exactly 40 years to the day since Elvis Presley’s untimely death at the age of just 42, his new compilation album, The 50 Greatest Hits, is racing up the UK Album Chart.
According to the Official Chart Company, Elvis’ The 50 Greatest Hits is leading Ed Sheeran’s planet-shagging album, ÷, by less than 200 combined chart sales. The last time Elvis entered the UK Album Chart was in August 2016 when his album with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, The Wonder Of You, topped the charts. If his current compilation makes it to the top, Elvis position as the solo singer with the most UK No.1 album will hit a total of 14. Way to go, The King!
The late Glen Campbell’s album, Adios, is currently at No. 3 while Kesha’s Rainbow is one place behind at No. 4.
The new compilation should certainly swell the coffers of the Presley estate. Business magazine Forbes had Elvis Presley come in at No.4 in the Forbes Kist Of Top-Earning Dead Celebrities last year after the late singer earned a whopping $27m. According to his record company, Elvis Presley has sold more than a billion records worldwide.
It could well be that Elvis Presley does knock Ed Sheeran into the No. 2 slot. He’s always been incredibly popular in the UK and his albums have always charted higher here than in the US. And all that despite never having performed in the UK. Indeed, his only visit to this side of the Atlantic was when his plane from Germany stopped at Prestwick airport in Scotland in 1960 when he was flying home to be discharged from the US army.
So… just 200 combined sales are separating Elvis and Ed. You know what to do…
