http://www.itfacts.biz/2007-us-music-sales-by-genre/9354 this is for 2007 obviously. The data is from neilson soundscan.

Rock sales in 2007 were 149,414 compared to rnb 95,555 and rap at 41,662.

Not only that but in those years rock declined less then the other genres besides jazz, sountracks and new age.

Such a huge lead could not be destroyed in two year. And as already mentioned rock declined less then the nearest genres. So unless you can provide me a source proving rock has fallen off by rediculous levels then I doubt much has changed.

I never said it has fallen off. :) I'm just saying in the top 10 there is only 1 rock album and 3 in the top 20. Rock is not the hottest selling genre of 2009. It's all pop/country and R&B

http://www.statcrunch.com/5.0/index.php?dataid=375725#

And here we go. Data suggesting that in 2008 rock sold the most cd's out of any genre again.

I think its pretty reasnable to infer that 2009 is the same. Unless you can provide any data suggesting otherwise.

Remember that catalogue albums didn't count in the main charts until recently and the I read that the album business is getting increasly driven by such sales. Around 40% but I can't remember the source for that so take that with a grain of salt.

However the music industry simply doesn't cater enough to rock despite its larger sales. They wonder why they're in trouble?

In fact the heaviest rock song that even topped the billboard hot 100 this year, was My Life Would Suck Without You by Kelly Clarkson. Do you consider her ROCK!?

#1's of 2009

Single Ladies - Beyonce
Just Dance - Lady GaGa
My Life Would Suck Without You - Kelly Clarkson
Crack A Bottle - Eminem
Right Round - Flo Rida
Poker Face - Lady GaGa
Boom Boom Pow - Black Eyed Peas
I Gotta Feeling - Black Eyed Peas
Down - Jay Sean
3 - Britney Spears
Fireflies - Owl City
Whatcha Say - Jason Derulo
Empire State Of Mind - Jay-Z

To be honest.. the only rock hit of the year is Use Somebody by The Kings Of Leon.. Without hits its hard to carry album sales. Kings Of Leon did very well. Nickelback sold just on their name alone... They didnt have huge hits this album. David Cook sold because he was a popular american idol

On another board the top 50 albums posted is up and there aren't many rock albums even in the top 50.

and I know catalogue albums don't count... Which I'm saying is, there were no huge rock sellng acts of 2009 besides Kings Of Leon, Nickelback and David Cook.

and maybe your stats are worldwide stats... cause I know in the U.S rock isn't as popular as it used to be.. It's rare rock songs get huge on pop radio today.. The only radio rock hit this year was Use Somebody.. And top 40 offers the highest audience play.

Except rock still sold more cd's and vinyls. its irrelivant who hits number 1 obviously since the closest genre r&b still didn't sell as much despitre its number ones.

AC/dCs back in black never hit number 1 and still sold over 20 million records in america alone. Just as an example that number 1 isn't everything.

EDIT my numbers are US only. Rock tops. I would agree with you that current rock acts aren't doing enough. Hence my point about catalogue sales. I think that you're absolutely right there. Its sad because the sales overall are so strong. It would be interesting to see how much of that is catalogue, probably far more then more genres.

That's not true at all. vinyls don't sell much anymore and single sales are just as important... That is how infact the hot 100 is compiled besides airplay. The 2nd highest selling album of the year was r&b and that was Beyonce.

Ok but thats not the point. I'm saying in the U.S 2009... can you name more than 3 rock acts that were huge enough to carry the format to #1? IN THE U.S

Farmland, I don't want to argue with you, but this was a fun debate.. We can get a good idea tomorrow. The Grammy Nominations come out. :P Even if they aren't based on sales