Six Beatles albums granted platinum status in the UK

Six albums by The Beatles have finally been granted platinum status in the UK, following a rule change by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI).

Many of the albums had previously been given no sales certifications, having been released prior to the trade association’s formation in 1973.

In August 2013 the BPI decided to automatically recognise sales achievements, instead of previously relying on record companies contacting them to request the awards once a threshold is passed.

The current threshold for gold discs is sales of 100,000, and platinum discs for sales of 300,000. Thirteen Beatles albums are to receive awards following the rule change.

However, sales figures can only be counted from 1994, when the Official Charts Company began keeping records.

As a result, Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band has been granted triple platinum status, having sold more than 900,000 copies since 1994. It is thought to have sold 5.1 million copies in the UK since 1967, and is the third biggest selling album after Queen’s Greatest Hits and Abba’s Gold.

Help!, Rubber Soul, Revolver, The Beatles (White Album) and Abbey Road have all been given platinum status.

In the 1960s The Beatles were awarded a series of gold and silver discs for their albums and singles, but these were mostly issued by the RIAA and other non-UK music trade associations.