Earning Their First Diamond Single, AC/DC
Across the globe, AC/DC is among the best-selling rock acts of all time; this is particularly true in the United States. The band is incredibly popular and successful, as seen by their receipts. They have recently been awarded one of the most prestigious and spectacular honors in the music industry.
With “Thunderstruck,” the Australian trio receives their first diamond-certified single certification. The smash was recently certified a diamond hit by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), which certifies songs and albums after they reach specific consumption benchmarks.
Single songs and albums can receive a diamond certification in the United States once they have sold 10 million equivalent units. Both streaming activity and pure sales are now included in that figure.
The first American single to be certified diamond in AC/DC history is “Thunderstruck.” Remarkably, prior to going diamond, the song had not received a single certification. It received simultaneous gold (worth half a million), platinum (worth one million), and diamond awards from the RIAA.
While “Thunderstruck” became a diamond single, a number of other AC/DC singles either received new certifications or received their first. The band’s other five singles, which include “T.N.T.,” “Hells Bells,” and “Highway to Hell,” among others, all won fresh RIAA honors.
As it approaches diamond status, “Thunderstruck” continues to lead AC/DC’s list of highest-certified singles in the United States, although other songs are starting to catch up. With seven platinum awards under its belt, “Back In Black” is currently the band’s second-highest certified song.
As their singles progressed, AC/DC also granted fresh certifications to four of their major albums. Their hit album Back in Black has been certified platinum 26 times, making it one of the best-performing titles in American history along with one of the Eagles’ projects.