British music icon Adele has topped the record books with three new Guinness World Records™ as she is named the First female to have two singles and two albums in UK Top 5 simultaneously - a feat previously achieved by The Beatles in 1963 - and 21 is also the first album in UK chart history to reach sales of three million in a calendar year.
Adele's 21 album also established new records for Most consecutive weeks with UK No.1 album (solo female) with 11 weeks at the top - smashing the record held by Madonna since 1991 with The Immaculate Collection - and the Most cumulative weeks with UK No.1 album (solo female) with 21 spending a total of 18 weeks at No.1 - stealing the record from Alanis Morissette and Shania Twain, who shared the title with 11 weeks at No.1.
These latest music records are announced today by the Guinness World Records 2012 edition, released in stores this Thursday.
The Black Eyed Peas
Other artists making it the 2012 Guinness World Records edition include The Black Eyed Peas who scored the Biggest-selling download in the UK with "I Gotta Feeling" which was the first-ever track to exceed one million downloads in the UK - a landmark reached in June 2010 and not bettered by any subsequent digital music release in the UK.
Glee
Meanwhile, the success of musical TV show Glee has resulted in a new world record for Most hit singles in a calendar year, with 48 Glee singles featuring in the UK Top 75 in 2011 - breaking their own record of 45 hit singles in 2010.
Rihanna
Global songstress Rihanna has become the First female to have UK No.1 singles in five consecutive years with her singles consistently achieving the No.1 spot every year from 2007 to 2011 - starting with 'Rude Boy' and most recently 'Only Girl (In The World)'. Only Elvis and The Beatles have had more UK No.1 singles in consecutive years.
The Chelsea Pensioners
However, it's not just young talent making its mark in the record books. The Chelsea Pensioners, with an average age of 78 years, have become the Oldest all-male group to chart in the UK with their album Men in Scarlet. Also flying the senior flag are The Zimmers who have been awarded the title for Greatest combined age for a group in the UK chart. The 40-strong pop act has a combined age which exceeds 3,000 years.
U2
You could excuse the somewhat-more-youthful U2 for considering an early retirement after securing the title for the Highest grossing music tour for their 360° Tour - by April 2011, the Irish rockers had raked in over £341 million for the 110 shows between July 2009 and July 2011. This record was previously held by The Rolling Stones, who made £226 million from their 2006 'A Bigger Bang' tour.
Prolific Japanese music legend Johnny Kitagawa has been presented with two Guinness World Records establishing him as one of the most successful music producers ever.
Hey! Say! JUMP music band produced by Johnny Kitagawa with Guinness World Records representative Frank Foley
His new records are for Most No.1 Singles Produced by an Individual (232), and Most Concerts Produced by an Individual (8,419).
Kitagawa has achieved the No. 1 position more often than any music producer with a record 232 chart-toppers for over 40 of Japan's bestselling groups (based on data for the period 1974 to 2010).
He also holds the record for the most number of concerts produced by an individual having produced an amazing 8,419 between 2000 and 2010. Concerts by Japanese mega-bands SMAP, KinKi Kids, ARASHI, KAT-TUN and Hey! Say! JUMP attracted an estimated 48,234,550 fans.
His achievements, over a career commencing in 1962, have earned him the reputation as the most prolific "idol band" producer in the world.
Commenting on the new music records to make the 2012 edition Craig Glenday Editor-in-Chief at Guinness World Records, said: "Adele is a wonderful role-model for aspiring singers - and for all young people. Her unique vocal talents have rightly propelled her to stardom on both sides of the Atlantic, and her honest attitude to fame is refreshing. She deserves every success and earns her rightful place in the record book alongside the likes of Gaga, Minogue and Madonna."
For the complete collection of incredible entertainment and amazing science, human body, sport, animal kingdom world records check out the new Guinness World Records 2012 Edition in stores around the world this week.
