IFPI Platinum Europe Awards - December 2006

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12 artists bag Platinum Awards for December sales

January 24, 2007

December saw an impressive tally of Platinum Europe Awards for an array of international artists whose albums have sold more than one million copies in Europe.

Take That's comeback album Beautiful World became a million-seller in Europe within one month of release, rounding off an amazing year for the band. After splitting ten years ago the British group embarked on a sell-out reunion tour of the UK in 2006. Their phenomenal popularity prompted the four-piece - who were a global pop sensation in the 1990s along with then fifth member Robbie Williams - to reform to record the new album.

George Michael's greatest hits compilation also saw sales surpass the one million mark in December. Twenty Five features tracks from Michael's illustrious recording career which has spanned three decades, including both solo material and hits from his Wham days. The title was released last October to coincide with his European tour - his first live dates for 15 years.

American star Christina Aguilera is enjoying European success with Back To Basics. This latest offering has scored more than one million sales across the continent, and the July 2006 release has sold in 22 European countries. This is the third studio album from the Grammy award-winning artist, and her first for four years. Back To Basics showcases Aguilera's impressive voice with a mix of powerful ballads, pop and soul-influenced tracks.

Evanescence's release from last September The Open Door also achieved sales in excess of one million in the last month of 2006. The rock band from the United States had a major worldwide hit with their first full-length album Fallen in 2003, which went on to scoop three Platinum Europe Awards. Eagerly awaited follow-up album The Open Door debuted at No. 1 in the US Billboard chart, and has reached the top five across Europe.

James Morrison's debut release Undiscovered gains the first Platinum Europe Award for the British singer-songwriter. His successful debut single You Give Me Something propelled Undiscovered to the top of the UK album chart in its first week of release last July. It subsequently finished the year as the tenth biggest album seller in the UK.

Nelly Furtado's third album Loose has also sold in excess of one million copies across Europe. The Portuguese-Canadian artist had worldwide hits in 2006 with singles Maneater and Promiscuous, and current release All Good Things went to No. 1 on the European Billboard Singles Chart. Furtado collaborated with producer Timbaland on the album, which features an eclectic mix of hip hop, pop and Latin-inspired tracks.

Genius Loves Company from Ray Charles achieves the first Platinum Europe Award for the American artist. The 2004 album from the jazz and soul legend was released shortly after his death, and consists of duets with artists such as Elton John, Norah Jones, Gladys Knight and Van Morrison. The posthumous release has won eight Grammy Awards, adding to the score Charles won during his career dating back to the 1950s.

Razorlight's hotly anticipated successor to 2004's debut Up All Night was released last summer, and self-titled album Razorlight has now passed the million sales mark in Europe. The album reached No. 1 in the UK, and America - the second single taken from the album - also earned the group their first UK No. 1 single. The band are at the start of a set of European tour dates, including a sell-out UK arena tour.

Another band enjoying success with their second album are The Killers, as Sam's Town gains its first Platinum Europe Award. The American rock quartet from Las Vegas took the charts by storm with 2004 debut Hot Fuss. Popular on the festival circuit, the group also won Best Rock Band at the MTV Europe Music Awards last December.

The Beatles album Love topped the European Billboard Album Chart for seven weeks after its release in November 2006, and has now sold more than two million copies across the continent. The new title from the Fab Four - created by original Beatles' producer George Martin and his son Giles from original master recordings - forms the unique soundscape for a show by Cirque de Soleil.

The Red Hot Chili Peppers achieve a second Platinum Europe Award for Stadium Arcadium. This is the ninth studio album from the L.A. rock veterans and features 28 new tracks, including recent hits Dani California and Tell Me Baby. Stadium Arcadium debuted at No. 1 in both the US and UK album charts on its release last May, and the band are currently on an extensive world tour.

PCD, the 2005 debut album from the Pussycat Dolls, has also crossed the two million sales mark in Europe. The all-girl group from California originally formed in 1995 as a dance troupe, and only released their first single in 2004. Second single Don't Cha - featuring Busta Rhymes and co-written by Gnarls Barkley's Cee-Lo - was an instant smash, topping singles charts around the globe. PCD mirrored that success, and the group have won a host of American and European awards for their music and videos.

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About Platinum Europe Awards

Platinum Europe Awards honour the elite community of artists who have achieved sales of one million copies of an album in Europe. The Awards were launched in 1996 and they are now recognised as the established hallmark of success for artists in Europe.