Led Zeppelin sales exceed predictions

Led Zeppelin 1, 2 and 3 reissues have sold more in the first week than anticipated.

There were high expectations for the deluxe rereleases of Led Zeppelin I, II and III with predictions changing all week from all three making the top ten to the final take that said two of three would make it.

In the end, all three made it and they did it in release order with I coming in at number 7, II at 9 and III at 10. These successes bode well for the still unscheduled second wave of albums which will include what has become their most popular album, Led Zeppelin IV (aka Zoso) which includes such classics as Black Dog, Rock and Roll, When the Levee Breaks and Stairway to Heaven.

Fairing well in its fourth week of release is Michael Jackson¡¯s Xscape which drops from 7 to 12. Taking a much bigger fall is Mariah Carey¡¯s latests which goes 3 to 18 in its second week of release.

The highest actual debut (in Billboard terms) by a veteran artist is down at 38 with ex-Husker Du member Bob Mould¡¯s Beauty and Ruin. His 11th solo album, it¡¯s his highest charting on the Billboard charts, exceeding 2012¡äs Silver Age which peaked at 52.

At this week¡¯s number 52 spot is another ¡°reentry¡± of an older album in a deluxe edition, Soundgarden¡¯s Superunknown, newly issued in a four-CD/one-DVD set. The Super Deluxe version is being treated as a separate entity and debuts at 97.

Rich Robinson follows closely on the heels of brother and Black Crowes bandmate Chris Robinson, who released his own band¡¯s latest album in April, with the new release The Ceaseless Sight. It¡¯s his fifth solo album, along with one with his brother, outside of the Crowes, and his first to hit the charts.

Echo and the Bunnymen return to the charts for the first time in 27 years with their latest, Meteorites, opening at 138. Their last to make the top 200 was 1987¡äs Echo and the Bunnymen which went to 51. The band had released six other studio albums in between the two sets.

Dave Alvin, previously of the Blasters, X and the Knitters, starts at 144 along with his brother, Phil Alvin (the Blasters), on Common Ground: Dave Alvin & Phil Alvin Sing the Songs of Big Bill Broonzy. Phil had previously released two studio albums while Dave has released 13. Dave¡¯s debut album, Romeo¡¯s Escape, hit number 116 back in 1987.

At 161 is the premier of Comet Come to Me by Meshell Ndegeocello. Her eleventh studio album since her 1993 debut, it¡¯s her fifth best showing behind Peace Beyond Passion (1996 / #63), Cookie: The Anthropological Mixtape (2002 / #67), Bitter (1999 / #105) and Comfort Woman (2003 / #150).

Finally, Bauhaus¡¯ Peter Murphy comes in at 173 with Lion, his first charting solo album in 22 years.

This week¡¯s album chart is led by Miranda Lambert¡¯s Platinum followed by the Frozen soundtrack, Brantley Gilbert¡¯s Just As I Am, 50 Cent¡¯s Animal Ambition: An Untamed Desire to Win and Coldplay¡¯s Ghost Story.

On the singles chart, Iggy Azalea is once again at number 1 with Fancy followed by Ariana Grande¡¯s (with Iggy Azalea) Problem, John Legend¡¯s All of Me, DJ Snake and Lil John¡¯s Turn Down For What and the only mover this week, Wiggle by Jason Derulo featuring Snoop Dogg.

Other Billboard charts with veteran artists at number 1:
R&B Albums ¨C Xscape ¨C Michael Jackson
Blues Albums ¨C Common Ground: Dave Alvin & Phil Alvin Play and Sing the Songs of Big Bill Broonzy ¨C Dave & Phil Alvin
Catalog Albums ¨C Led Zeppelin ¨C Led Zeppelin
Tastemaker Albums ¨C Led Zeppelin ¨C Led Zeppelin
Latin Albums ¨C Corazon ¨C Santana
Latin Pop Albums ¨C Corazon ¨C Santana

More from VVN Music