Jackson albums selling big in U.S.

LOS ANGELES, July 9 (UPI) -- The two top-selling albums in the United States this past week were "Number Ones" and "Thriller" by the late Michael Jackson, Billboard.com said.

Jackson died last month of cardiac arrest following a suspected prescription drug overdose. He was 50.

Billboard.com reported Wednesday Jackson's albums occupied the top 10 positions on the week's Catalog Album Chart, marking the first time a single artist has done so.

There reportedly were more than 336,000 Jackson ring tone purchases this week, as well.

During the past two weeks, there also have been more than 5.6 million digital Jackson tracks bought in North America, Europe, Australia and New Zealand, the music magazine said on its Web site.

Entertainment Weekly said a total of 800,000 Jackson albums, including 339,000 copies of "Number Ones" and 187,000 copies of "Thriller," were sold in the United States during the past week.

Despite the staggering sales numbers, the albums did not make the Billboard 200 because they were previous releases.

The No. 1 album on the Billboard 200 is the compilation CD "NOW That's What I Call Music! 31," followed by Brad Paisley's "American Saturday Night" at No. 2, Rob Thomas' "Cradlesong" at No. 3, Wilco's self-titled album at No. 4 and the Black Eyed Peas's "The E.N.D." at No. 5.

Rounding out the top tier are Jeremih's eponymous debut at No. 6, Killswitch Engage's self-titled CD at No. 7, the Jonas Brothers' "Lines, Vines and Trying Times" at No. 8, Eminem's "Relapse" at No. 9 and Lady Gaga's "The Fame" at No. 10.