Grateful Dead Chart Two New Bestselling Albums

On the current edition of the Top Album Sales chart, Billboard’s look at the bestselling releases of any style and via any format in the U.S., the Grateful Dead collect two new wins. The higher-ranking of the pair, titled Boston Music Hall, Boston, MA, June 11, 1976, launches at No. 33. The Grateful Dead barely manages to land a second arrival, as On a Back Porch, Vol. 3 opens in second-to-last place on the tally, coming in at No. 49.

The first of those two sold just under 4,900 copies in its first tracking frame, according to Luminate. On a Back Porch, Vol. 3 sold a little less than 4,200 copies at the same time.

Grateful Dead Extend Lead With More Than 100 Bestsellers

With two arrivals on this week’s Top Album Sales chart, the Grateful Dead furthers its lead over all other artists when it comes to the greatest number of appearances. The Grateful Dead is the only act with triple-digit hits, and the musicians beat Neil Young, who claims the second-most successes, more than twice over. That singer-songwriter has seen 63 projects land on the Top Album Sales tally for at least one frame, while the Grateful Dead is now up to 138 bestsellers.

Of that sum, an incredible 49 have soared into the top 10. Rather shockingly, however, only one release by the Grateful Dead has made it to No. 1 on the Top Album Sales chart. In February 2024, Dave’s Picks, Vol. 49: Frost Amphitheater, Stanford U, Palo Alto, CA, 4/27/85 & 4/28/85 managed one turn at the summit before slipping off the roster entirely. 10 additional releases stalled one spot shy of running the show.

Record Store Day Earns the Grateful Dead New Hits

The Top Album Sales chart is inundated with debuts this week thanks to the latest iteration of Record Store Day. The Grateful Dead, as is often the case, took part, and its new bestsellers are connected to that music industry event as well.

Of the 50 spaces on the roster, 27 are occupied by debuts, almost all of which are attached to the semi-annual gathering. On a Back Porch, Vol. 3 is the lowest-ranking arrival, while the Boston Music Hall live set lands in between debuts from Nine Inch Nails and Boys Noize’s supergroup project Nine Inch Noize and Ethel Cain.

The Grateful Dead Returns to Billboard’s Vinyl Chart

Both of the Grateful Dead’s new bestsellers were released on vinyl, but only one manages to land on the Vinyl Albums chart. Boston Music Hall opens at No. 23 on that ranking, earning the Grateful Dead its thirty-ninth placement on the format-specific tally.