Black Sabbath's 81,000% Sales Spike, Explained
Black Sabbath's The Eternal Idol returns to the Billboard charts decades after its release, boosted ... More by a special Record Store Day reissue on red vinyl. Singer Tony Martin is shown performing on stage during a live concert appearance with Black Sabbath on February 8, 1994. (Photo by)
Black Sabbath is inching toward the end of the road. The band, which is slated to perform with frontman Ozzy Osbourne this summer, is preparing for what's being called not just its final concert, but likely his as well. Ahead of that thrilling and bittersweet performance, the heavy metal legends make a somewhat surprising return to a Billboard chart this week.
The group's latest showing comes not from a brand new release, but via a classic project that fans have loved for decades — even though Osbourne wasn't actually involved in its production.
The Eternal Idol debuts on Billboard's Top Album Sales chart, the ranking that measures the bestselling full-lengths and EPs in the U.S., blending both physical purchases and digital downloads into one tally. The collection just barely makes the 50-spot list, sneaking in at No. 48.
According to Luminate, The Eternal Idol sold just under 4,100 copies in the latest tracking frame. To put that figure in perspective, the week before, the album managed only single-digit sales. That increase clocks in at over 81,000% – a staggering growth for any piece of music.
The massive sales spike comes thanks to Record Store Day. For the annual celebration, 6,000 copies of The Eternal Idol were reissued on red translucent vinyl. It seems a large portion of those LPs were snapped up by collectors and longtime fans around the event, pushing the decades-old release back onto Billboard's radar.
While The Eternal Idol is brand new to the Top Album Sales chart, this isn't its first time appearing on the Billboard rankings. Upon its original release in the late 1980s, the set peaked at No. 168 on the Billboard 200, which at the time focused purely on album purchases. These days, the Billboard 200 blends sales, streams, and track downloads, sometimes making it much tougher for typical catalog titles to compete without a major push.
The Eternal Idol was released in 1987, and it was the group's thirteenth full-length effort. The project was the first to feature vocalist Tony Martin, who stepped in after Ozzy Osbourne had been fired. Though it wasn't a major commercial win at the time, the collection is still loved by fans of the band to this day, which is clear based on its ability to become a bestseller decades after it was first made available.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Wayne Lewis, Atlantic Starr Singer and Founding Member, Dies at 68
Wayne Lewis, a founding member of the R&B group Atlantic Starr, has died at the age of 68. The band confirmed his passing in a social media post on Friday (June 7), noting that the musician died on Thursday. No cause of death has been disclosed. More from Billboard Gone But Not Forgotten: Musicians We Lost in 2025 BRIT Awards 2026 to Be Held Outside London for First Time Mariah Carey's 'Type Dangerous' Tops This Week's Favorite New Music Poll 'It's with great sadness we have to post the passing of Wayne Lewis on June 5, 2025,' Atlantic Starr wrote on Facebook. 'Please keep the family in your prayers and respect their privacy #waynelewis #restinpeace #flyhigh Sunrise 4/13/1957 Sunset 6/5/2025 #restinpeaceWayne.' Lewis served as a vocalist and keyboardist for Atlantic Starr, which he co-founded in 1976 in White Plains, N.Y., alongside his brothers David Lewis (vocals, guitar) and Jonathan Lewis (keyboards, trombone), as well as drummer Porter Carroll Jr., bassist Clifford Archer and percussionist-flutist Joseph Phillips. Other early members included lead singer Sharon Bryant, trumpeter William Sudderth III and saxophonist Damon Rentie. Bryant and Rentie were later replaced by Barbara Weathers and Koran Daniels, respectively. Atlantic Starr became a fixture in R&B throughout the late 1970s and 1980s. The group signed with A&M Records (and later to Warner Bros. Records, among other labels), releasing their self-titled debut album in 1978, followed by their sophomore effort, Straight to the Point, the next year. The band achieved its first top 10 hit on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart with 'Circles' (No. 2) from the 1982 album Brilliance. Their biggest commercial success came in 1987 when 'Always,' from 1986's All in the Name of Love, reached No. 1 on both the Billboard Hot 100 chart and Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs. Atlantic Starr earned a total of three top 10 hits on the Hot 100 and 11 top 10s on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs. 'My First Love' in 1989 was their only other No. 1 on the latter chart. In recent years, Atlantic Starr continued to perform with Lewis and current members Jonathan Lewis, Melessa Pierce and Shammah Carter. The group's most recent album, Metamorphosis, was released in 2017. Following the announcement of Lewis' death, fans flooded social media with heartfelt tributes and condolences. 'His band gave my generation so much listening pleasure,' one fan wrote. Another shared, 'Nooooo I am devastated seeing this. My condolences to all family and friends.' A third commenter added, 'A great songwriter. Atlantic Starr was better once he became leader. He will be missed.' Best of Billboard Chart Rewind: In 1989, New Kids on the Block Were 'Hangin' Tough' at No. 1 Janet Jackson's Biggest Billboard Hot 100 Hits H.E.R. & Chris Brown 'Come Through' to No. 1 on Adult R&B Airplay Chart
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Cardi B Stresses ‘Music Is a Collaboration' While Accepting 2025 ASCAP Voice of the Culture Award
Just one day before the 2025 BET Awards are set to take over Los Angeles' Peacock Theater on Monday night (June 9), a slew of the most prolific songwriters and producers across R&B and hip-hop convened at the Beverly Hills Four Seasons for the 2025 ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Awards on Sunday (June 8). Decked out in a floor-length, figure-hugging brown dress, Cardi B graciously accepted the Voice of the Culture Award as her fellow songwriters and artists looked on. More from Billboard Kylie Minogue Joins Prestigious '21 Club' at London's O2 Arena Kevin Parker Previews New Tame Impala Music During Barcelona DJ Set 'Maybe Happy Ending,' 'Sunset Blvd.' Win Key 2025 Tony Awards: Full Winners List 'My voice has always been a reflection of what I live and what I'm living, which I feel is a true reflection of the people, the culture, my friends, my family, and the environment that I grew up in,' the Grammy-winning rapper said while accepting her 'big girl' award from ASCAP executive vice president & head of creative membership, Nicole George-Middleton. 'I like to put that in my music — my joys, my pains, my drama, everything.' With Billboard Hot 100 chart-toppers like 'Bodak Yellow,' 'I Like It,' 'WAP' and 'Up,' to her name, Cardi B has helped keep female rap at the top of the Billboard charts ever since she first broke through in 2017. Her resounding commercial success and cultural impact make her a natural successor to Usher, who received the same award last year. The Voice of the Culture Award is presented to ASCAP members who have had a major influence on music and culture, recognizing their success as creators and changemakers. Additional past recipients of the award include Timbaland, Swizz Beatz, D-Nice and T.I. 'I hate the idea that if you don't write every line on your own, it makes what you have to say not real. Music is a collaboration, it has always been. The biggest hits [and] the greatest records come from teamwork,' Cardi continued. 'They come from sharing experiences, energy, pain and joy. It's not about ego, it's about impact. I write, I co-write, I rewrite. I speak to what's true to me. My pen, my mind and my feelings are in every verse and in every hook. I respect every writer who brings their magic to the table. This award is not just for me, it's for the culture.' Cardi, who also picked up an ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Award for her 2024 Hot 100 top 10 hit 'Enough (Miami),' made history in 2020 as the first woman to receive the esteemed ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Songwriter of the Year Award two years in a row. She has earned eight ASCAP Pop Music Awards and 23 ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Music Awards. At Monday night's BET Awards, Cardi will be vying for her third consecutive win for best female hip-hop artist, which would mark her first victory in that category this decade. Last week, the rapper dominated headlines after making her relationship with New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs Instagram-official. Kendrick Lamar's cultural juggernaut 'Not Like Us' was named ASCAP R&B/Hip-Hop and Rap Song of the Year. Co-written by Mustard, the searing Drake diss spent three weeks at No. 1 on the Hot 100, swept all five of its Grammy nominations, and became the first-ever rap song to spend 52 consecutive weeks on Billboard's marquee singles chart. Lamar leads this year's BET Awards with 10 nominations, including album of the year (GNX), video of the year ('Not Like Us') and best male hip-hop artist. Swiss songwriter OZ earned this year's ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Songwriter of the Year honor, commemorating his contributions to hits like Drake and J. Cole's 'First Person Shooter,' Jack Harlow's 'Lovin On Me' and Travis Scott's 'I Know?' Cece Winans' 'That's My King,' co-written by Taylor Agan and Kellie Besch, earned the ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Gospel Song of the Year title, and Sony Music Publishing was named ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Publisher of the Year. Some of Sony's biggest 2024 hits included Hot 100 chart-toppers like Beyoncé's 'Texas Hold 'Em' and Shaboozey's 'A Bar Song (Tipsy),' as well as year-defining tracks like Tommy Richman's 'Million Dollar Baby,' SZA's 'Saturn,' Sexyy Red's 'Get It Sexyy,' Muni Long's 'Made for Me,' Chris Brown's 'Residuals' and 'Sensational,' Lil Baby and Central Cee's 'Band4Band,' Cardi B's 'Enough' and GloRilla's 'Yeah Glo!' Additional 2025 ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Award-winning songwriters include 21 Savage ('Prove It,' 'Redrum,' 'Surround Sound'), Offset ('Worth It'), Lil Uzi Vert ('Everybody'), Tee Grizzley ('IDGAF'), Playboi Carti ('Carnival,' 'FE!N,' 'Timeless'), Tasha Cobbs Leonard ('In the Room'), and Tye Tribbett ('Only One Night Tho'). The ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Music Awards recognize the songwriters and publishers of the most-performed songs of the past year based on Luminate data for terrestrial and satellite radio and streaming services, as specified by the ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Music Awards rules. Best of Billboard Chart Rewind: In 1989, New Kids on the Block Were 'Hangin' Tough' at No. 1 Janet Jackson's Biggest Billboard Hot 100 Hits H.E.R. & Chris Brown 'Come Through' to No. 1 on Adult R&B Airplay Chart
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Ozzy Osbourne Makes Huge Announcement About Final Black Sabbath Show
Ozzy Osbourne and his Black Sabbath bandmates shared big news about their farewell concert, Back to the Beginning. In a post shared to Instagram on June 7, the legendary hard rock band revealed that their highly anticipated final show at Villa Park in Aston, Birmingham will be available for livestream via Mercury Studios and streaming partner Kiswe. 'The stadium may be sold out, but the world is invited… you asked, and your prayers have been answered,' the post on Osbourne's social media page announced. 'Ozzy & Black Sabbath's monumental farewell performance, BACK TO THE BEGINNING will be streamed worldwide on 5th July! And if that's not enough, the full set will be available to watch on demand for 48 hours after the show." "If you missed out on tickets for the huge lineup at Villa Park, you don't have to miss out on being a part of music history," the teaser continued. The livestream tickets are available at for $29.99 plus taxes and fees. Osbourne's wife, Sharon, explained the decision to make the sold-out show available for livestream around the world. 'We had such an overwhelming demand from fans from around the globe, who couldn't get tickets to the show, and they took to social media, pleading with us to broadcast a livestream of the show,' she said in a statement, per Kerrang. '[Given that] this is such a historic event, we just couldn't let them down.' Osbourne, 76, will reunite with fellow Black Sabbath legends Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward for the first time in 20 years for the Back to the Beginning show. The lineup will also include Metallica, Alice in Chains, Guns N' Roses, Pantera, and several other heavy metal bands. The rock legend, who suffers from Parkinson's disease, recently promised fans on the Ozzy's Boneyard SiriusXM show 'Ozzy Speaks' that he will give 'everything [he's] got' for the final concert. 'By hook or by crook, I am going to make this f---ing gig if it is the last thing I do,' Osbourne vowed. 'Well, it will be … but all I can say is I'm giving 120 percent.'Ozzy Osbourne Makes Huge Announcement About Final Black Sabbath Show first appeared on Men's Journal on Jun 9, 2025
