Though he released iconic albums such as Hunky Dory, and The Rise And Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars, David Bowie has never had a No. 1 album. But that could all change this week, as the recently deceased Bowie is poised to overtake Adele's 25 following the release of his album ★ (Blackstar).
The album was released Jan. 8, Bowie's 69th birthday; he died two days later of liver cancer. Blackstar could sell 130,000 units for the week ending Jan. 14, according to Billboard, which would be enough to catapult him to his first No. 1 on the Billboard 200 for the chart dated Jan. 30.
Although he didn't live to see it happen, a No. 1 chart position for this incredibly personal and thematic jazz-rock album would be a testament to Bowie's legacy.
Bowie would break Adele's seven-week run at No. 1, which many may expected to to continue given the record-breaking success of 25. Her previous album, 21 , spent 24 weeks at No. 1, the longest of any album since 1985 and the longest to date for a female artist. However, those are 24 nonconsecutive weeks, so it's possible that she'll bounce back to that No. 1 position eventually.
But this week is about Bowie. According to Billboard, Bowie charted 10 albums in his career, the highest of which was his 2013 effort The Next Day, which peaked at No. 2. Other top 10s include 1983's Let's Dance at No. 4; 1976's ChangesOneBowie at No. 10 and Station to Station at No. 3; 1975's Young Americans at No. 9,;and his 1974 albums David Live at No. 8 and Diamond Dogs at No. 5.
