David Gilmour's third solo album, "On an Island" (EMI), powered to No. 1 on the U.K. album chart yesterday (March 13), becoming his first chart-topper in his own name. It's also the first Pink Floyd-related No. 1 since the band's live set, "Pulse," hit the top in June 1995.
Gilmour's previous solo releases, issued while Pink Floyd was still an active unit, fared more modestly. "David Gilmour" reached No. 17 in 1978 and "About Face" peaked at No. 21 in 1984. The singer/guitarist and his band, which includes Floyd colleague Richard Wright and Roxy Music's Phil Manzanera, started a sold-out European tour Friday in Dortmund, Germany.
Gilmour replaced another EMI artist, Corinne Bailey Rae, at the top of the album listing after Rae debuted there with her self-titled release last week. Andrea Bocelli's "Amore" (Sugar/UCJ) was a new entry at No. 4 and there was a No. 8 start for Van Morrison's new country-themed album "Pay the Devil" (Exile/Polydor).
On the singles chart, former "X Factor" contestant Chico started a second week at No. 1 with "It's Chico Time" (Sony BMG), ahead of a 5-2 climb by Orson with "No Tomorrow" (Mercury). Sugababes opened at No. 4 with "Red Dress" (Universal Island), their first single since new member Amelle Berranah replaced Mutya Buena in the lineup.
"Billie Jean," the third in Sony BMG's series of Dual Disc singles by Michael Jackson, performed better than its predecessors, starting at No. 11 compared to No. 17 two weeks ago for "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" and No. 15 last week for "Rock With You." Enduring rock trio Placebo arrived at No. 13 with "Because I Want You," the first single from its fifth studio album, "Meds."
There was a No. 16 entry for Black Eyed Peas' "Pump It" (A&M), while "Like You" (Columbia) by Bow Wow featuring Ciara entered at No. 17. Craig David's "Unbelievable" (Warner Bros.) bowed at No. 18.
Across Europe, James Blunt's "Back to Bedlam" (Atlantic) leads the European Top 100 Albums chart for the eighth consecutive and ninth aggregate week, while Madonna leads the Eurochart Hot 100 Singles roundup for a second week with "Sorry" (Warner Bros.).
Gilmour's previous solo releases, issued while Pink Floyd was still an active unit, fared more modestly. "David Gilmour" reached No. 17 in 1978 and "About Face" peaked at No. 21 in 1984. The singer/guitarist and his band, which includes Floyd colleague Richard Wright and Roxy Music's Phil Manzanera, started a sold-out European tour Friday in Dortmund, Germany.
Gilmour replaced another EMI artist, Corinne Bailey Rae, at the top of the album listing after Rae debuted there with her self-titled release last week. Andrea Bocelli's "Amore" (Sugar/UCJ) was a new entry at No. 4 and there was a No. 8 start for Van Morrison's new country-themed album "Pay the Devil" (Exile/Polydor).
On the singles chart, former "X Factor" contestant Chico started a second week at No. 1 with "It's Chico Time" (Sony BMG), ahead of a 5-2 climb by Orson with "No Tomorrow" (Mercury). Sugababes opened at No. 4 with "Red Dress" (Universal Island), their first single since new member Amelle Berranah replaced Mutya Buena in the lineup.
"Billie Jean," the third in Sony BMG's series of Dual Disc singles by Michael Jackson, performed better than its predecessors, starting at No. 11 compared to No. 17 two weeks ago for "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" and No. 15 last week for "Rock With You." Enduring rock trio Placebo arrived at No. 13 with "Because I Want You," the first single from its fifth studio album, "Meds."
There was a No. 16 entry for Black Eyed Peas' "Pump It" (A&M), while "Like You" (Columbia) by Bow Wow featuring Ciara entered at No. 17. Craig David's "Unbelievable" (Warner Bros.) bowed at No. 18.
Across Europe, James Blunt's "Back to Bedlam" (Atlantic) leads the European Top 100 Albums chart for the eighth consecutive and ninth aggregate week, while Madonna leads the Eurochart Hot 100 Singles roundup for a second week with "Sorry" (Warner Bros.).
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