The following is the official news release from the RIAA. 

Beatles Continue to Dominate 

Capitol Upgrades Six Titles, Bringing New Total to Over 113 Million Band Lengthens Their Lead as Highest Certified Artists in History

WASHINGTON, July 28, 2000 -- More than 40 years after their formation in Liverpool, England, The Beatles catalog continues to sell at a brisk pace. Six albums climbed the multi-platinum ladder in July, led by �The Beatles,� which jumped to the 18 million mark. Better known as �The White Album,� it is one of the seven highest certified albums of all time. 

�Without question, The Beatles remain one of the most influential bands in rock and roll history,� said RIAA President and CEO Hilary Rosen. �Their music simply transcends generations.� 

In addition to �The White Album,� �Love Songs� climbed to 3 million, �Revolver� jumped to 5 million, �Magical Mystery Tour� is now certified at 6 million and �The Beatles 1962-1966� and �The Beatles 1967-1970� now stand at 14 million and 15 million, respectively. These upgrades bring their total to 113.5 million units.

A little more than a year after its release, Santana�s �Supernatural� topped the 13 million level. The album has spawned the bands only certified singles, �Smooth� and �Maria, Maria� which are both platinum.

Sting�s �Brand New Day,� which won the Grammy for Best Pop album, was certified double platinum. This brings his RIAA certified sales as a solo artist to 14 million, which surpasses the combined sales of The Police.

Three titles took one step closer to reaching Diamond status in July. Will Smith�s �Big Willie Style�, the soundtrack to Top Gun and �Devil Without A Cause� by Kid Rock all climbed to 9 million. Additionally, Kid Rock�s 2000 follow up, �The History of Rock� was certified gold, platinum and double platinum this month.
Country music legend Kenny Rogers received his 19th platinum album in July for his album �She Rides Wild Horses� released on his own label, Dreamcatcher Records. This brings his cumulative sales to over 50 million.

The Backstreet Boys� 1999 blockbuster �Millennium� reached the 12 million mark, pulling just a beat behind the quintet�s 1997 self-titled debut album which is certified at 13 million. Marvin Gaye�s Columbia Records debut �Midnight Love� was certified triple platinum. The 1982 release featured the Grammy-winning, gold certified smash �Sexual Healing.� 

R&B legends Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes received their very first platinum certification for their 1975 release �Wake Up Everybody.�

Two other artists received their first platinum albums this month. �Infest� by Papa Roach and �Everything You Want� by Vertical Horizon were both certified for sales of one million. �Riding With The King,� the first ever collaboration between Eric Clapton and blues legend B.B. King was certified both gold and platinum. 

Yolanda Adams (�Mountain High Valley Low�), Billy Gilman (�One Voice�), Sammie (�From The Bottom To The Top�) and 504 Boyz (�Goodfellas�) were all awarded their first gold albums. All four titles are their respective major label debuts. 

RIAA awarded a total of 21 multi-platinum, 18 platinum and 23 gold albums in June. All certifications are calculated by Gelfand, Rennert & Feldman. Complete lists of all album and single awards for July 2000 are attached and can also be accessed at www.riaa.com