Elvis Presley and Aretha Franklin Dominate Christian and Gospel Charts
Elvis Presley and Aretha Franklin lead Billboard's Top Christian Albums and Top Gospel Albums charts, respectively.
The late Elvis Presley leads Billboard‘s Top Christian Albums chart (dated Aug. 25) for the first time, as Where No One Stands Alone bows with 18,000 equivalent album units, according to Nielsen Music.
The set, produced by Presley’s daughter, Lisa Marie Presley, Andy Childs and Joel Weinshanker, features new instrumentation and backing vocals from artists who worked with the King of Rock and Roll, including Darlene Love. The album’s title track, a reimagined duet with Lisa Marie, debuts at No. 37 on Hot Christian Songs, marking each artist’s first appearance on the chart.
While the LP is Presley’s first No. 1 on Top Christian Albums, which began in 1980, it’s his ninth entry and third top 10, following Elvis: Ultimate Gospel (No. 9, 2004) and Elvis: Christmas Peace (No. 10, 2003).
Presley died at age 42 on Aug. 16, 1977; Aretha Franklin died at 76 on the same date 41 years later, and the Queen of Soul earns her second Top Gospel Albums No. 1 with Amazing Grace the Complete Recordings (2,000 units). Boasting 27 songs, the set is an extended version of the album Amazing Grace (with James Cleveland), which peaked at No. 7 on the all-genre Billboard 200 chart in 1972. Meanwhile, the original 14-track Amazing Grace also debuts on Top Gospel Albums, at No. 3 (1,000 units).
Franklin leads Top Gospel Albums over 30 years after her first No. 1: One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism ruled for four frames beginning in February 1988.
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