In 2004 Channel 4 used the data used to compile the charts to produce a best sellers list.
1.Cliff Richard (20,969,006)
2.The Beatles (20,799,632)
3.Elvis Presley (19,293,118)
The list was quickly discredited as the data represented only partial sales up to the mid 60s, only a tiny fraction of the 50s sales were included. This was because the charts only sampled a small number of outlets in teh early years.
The beatles have had no single release since 2004 that I know of, nor has Cliff Richard. Elvis has had A Little Less conversation (700,000 sales), #1 UK singles (about 500,000 sales), Rubberneckin, Thats All Right and I think Suspicious Minds was also after the above list was complied.
Here is the list from 2004, not the absence of most of the 50s artists...Haley, Cash, Crosby, Steele...
1.Cliff Richard (20,969,006)
2.The Beatles (20,799,632)
3.Elvis Presley (19,293,118)
4.Madonna (14,562,856)
5.Elton John (13,475,063)
6.Michael Jackson (11,310,958)
7.Queen (10,334,713)
8.ABBA (10,004,039)
9.Paul McCartney (9,781,603)
10.David Bowie (9,392,410)
11.Rod Stewart (9,046,492)
12.Rolling Stones (8,348,470)
13.Kylie Minogue (7,994,130)
14.Stevie Wonder (7,614,227)
15.Spice Girls (7,507,213)
16.Shakin Stevens (7,108,330)
17.Whitney Houston (6,993,105)
18.Bee Gees (6,943,851)
19.George Michael (6,819,419)
20.Status Quo (6,727,822)
21.Boney M (6,587,018)
22.Slade (6,520,171)
23.Olivia Newton John (6,493,006)
24.Blondie (6,456,881)
25.Boyzone (6,435,711)
26.Oasis (6,225,785)
27.UB40 (5,997,222)
28.Tom Jones (5,892,220)
29.Celine Dion (5,683,264)
30.The Police (5,617,175)
31.Madness (5,564,459)
32.Diana Ross (5,326,780)
33.Wham! (5,298,431)
34.Adam Ant (5,296,965)
35.The Jam (5,094,055)
36.Frankie Goes To Hollywood (5,008,067)
37.Robbie Williams (4,973,227)
38.Pet Shop Boys (4,913,655)
39.Phil Collins (4,889,059)
40.Wet Wet Wet (4,877,328)
41. Duran Duran (4,846,531)
42.The Everly Brothers (4,827,957)
43.The Shadows (4,793,537)
44.Westlife (4,726,116)
45.Gary Glitter (4,717,834)
46.Engelbert Humperdinck (4,710,328)
47.U2 (4,663,427)
48.Bryan Adams (4,614,135)
49.Frank Sinatra (4,597,630)
50.The Hollies (4,597,450)