5 of the Most Famous Albums That Were Released on Cassette
How well do you know your music history? Learn more about the history of cassettes with our list of the most famous albums ever released on tape!
Thriller—Michael Jackson (1982)
No discussion of the most famous albums released on cassette is complete without mentioning the undisputed monarch of albums: Michael Jackson’s Thriller. The King of Pop has a long and storied discography, but there’s no debate that Thriller is the defining album of the legendary performer’s career.
Thriller is not only Jackson’s best-selling album but also the certified best-selling album in music history, with over 66 million copies sold worldwide. The album changed the music industry while spending 122 weeks on the Billboard Top 200 chart and selling a million copies worldwide at its peak.
Nevermind—Nirvana (1991)
As one of the most famous musical acts of the 1990s, Nirvana had many albums that sold well, but none can compare to the band’s big break: Nevermind. The album marked a turning point in rock music as grunge went mainstream and replaced the hairband and glam style of the 80s in one album.
Nevermind’s hit single, “Smells Like Teenage Spirit,” became a 90s anthem and was later inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. Nirvana’s first major label release was an instant sensation—selling 300,000 copies a week at its peak and has sold 30 million albums since.
No Life ‘Till Leather—Metallica (1982)
This album is a little different from others on this list because it’s not famous for how many copies it sold, but rather for its rareness. Before Metallica became the heavy metal rock band that could fill a stadium anywhere in the world, they released a demo in 1982 to little fanfare.
At most, only 100 cassette copies of the demo were produced, which didn’t matter much at the time. Once the band achieved fame, it became one of the most valuable collectible cassette products on the market.
The Dark Side of the Moon—Pink Floyd (1973)
Pink Floyd inspired an entire generation of rock lovers with their unconventional sound and controversial message. With one of the most passionate fanbases in rock history, it’s no surprise that their magnum opus, The Dark Side of the Moon, is one of music’s most famous cassette albums.
Fun Fact: Pink Floyd re-released the album on cassette in 1994, becoming one of the best-selling tapes of the year as the band reintroduced itself to younger fans.
The album was unquestionably one of the most defining rock records of the 70s. It had enough power to spend 14 years on the Billboard album charts as it eventually sold 45 million copies.
Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)—Wu-Tang Clan (1993)
The debut album for the rap group sensation, Wu-Tang Clan, known for its rough sound and lyrical tenacity, is regarded by many as one of the most influential records in rap and music history. While their 1997 album, Wu-Tang Forever, may have sold more copies, Enter The Wu-Tang introduced the world to the Wu-Tang Clan’s nine members, who would go on to shape the rap genre together and individually over the years.
The album was not only an instant sensation, despite its humble origins and production value, but continued to be an essential piece of rap and music history for future generations—earning triple platinum status in 2018.
Those are our picks for the most famous cassette albums. What are yours? Did you ever make your own cassette tapes when you were younger? Bring your personal tapes into the modern age with our audio tape conversion services that digitize your cassettes so that they can live on in the digital era.