Biggest-selling animated/cartoon band

Alvin and The Chipmunks, an animated trio created and originally voiced by the American musician Ross Bagdasarian, Sr (and later his son, Ross Bagdasarian, Jr and others) have sold an estimated 50 million albums worldwide. Alvin, Simon and Theodore - named after Alvin Bennett, Simon Waronker and Theodore Keep, executives at Liberty Records, the band's first label - were first heard on record accompanying David Seville (Bagdasarian, Sr's stage name) on his million-selling US No.1 single "Witch Doctor" in 1958 and 49 albums have subsequently been released in their name, including a 50-year span of US top 10 hits (1960-2009). The squeaky-voiced trio have also starred in their own animated TV shows and a trilogy of movie blockbusters, as well as picking up five Grammy awards. Alvin & The Chipmunks won five Grammys in 1959-61, including three in 1959 for the album Let's All Sing with The Chipmunks (credited to David Seville and The Chipmunks). In addition to their Grammy success, Alvin and The Chipmunks have won prizes at the American Music Awards (1) and the Kids' Choice Awards (3) and have been nominated for three Emmy awards. After a period of inactivity following the death of Ross Bagdasarian, Sr (1919-72), Alvin and The Chipmunks were resurrected in 1980 by Ross Bagdasarian, Jr, leading to the characters' familiarity with a whole new generation of chipmunk-loving children. 36 of their albums have been released since 1980.