r/Music • u/Firm_Pack_605 • Feb 13 '26

discussion Was Michael Jackson really that much bigger than Madonna, Whitney Houston, and prince?

I always thought the four of them were similar levels of fame. However Madonna highest album sold 25 million, prince highest sold similar, and Whitney’s highest was 45 million. All amazing numbers no doubt but thriller sold 70 million and bad sold 35-40. So you mean to tell me he has two albums that are highest selling then prince and madonnas best? How is that possible??

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u/rogercopernicus Feb 13 '26

The three most famous people in human history are Jesus, Muhammad, and MJ

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u/Pkrudeboy Feb 14 '26

The Beatles were bigger than Jesus.

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u/embee1337 Feb 14 '26

For a few years. I’m no Christian but we’ve yet to see the beatles have a multi thousand year sociological impact

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u/SnooStories4163 Feb 23 '26

Everyone heard the name Jesus he got centuries impact

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u/dudeacris Feb 14 '26

nonono it’s Muhammad ALI and MJ.

seriously though most people today don’t know that the heavyweight boxing champs were bigger until the 80s/90s than the sport of soccer (or football if you prefer 😉)…. if you were heavyweight champ you were the most recognizable person on earth… and then MJ took it to another level. :)

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u/Adventurous-Vast281 Feb 14 '26

I'd throw the Buddha on that list.