The Beatles have broken their own record for the album with the longest gap between topping the charts as Abbey Road today hit the top spot 50 years after its original release.
The Fab Four’s 11th record, which includes hits such as Come Together and Oh! Darling, dethroned Liam Gallagher, buoyed by the release of a special anniversary edition featuring unheard material.
Abbey Road, however, ended its initial 17-week run atop the charts on January 31 1970 – meaning it now holds a winning gap of 49 years and 252 days.
Like Abbey Road, Sgt Pepper’s returned to number one on the 50th anniversary of its release in June 2017.
“But then again it’s a bloody cool album.”
It is also the week’s best-selling vinyl, shifting just under 9,000 physical copies.
Abbey Road’s album cover, showing Sir Paul, John Lennon, Sir Ringo Starr and George Harrison striding single file over the zebra crossing outside the north-west London studios, is one of the most widely recognised in music history.
On the singles chart singer-songwriter Tones And I scored her first UK number one with Dance Monkey.
In her native Australia, Tones And I, real name Toni Watson, is enjoying a ninth consecutive week at number one.
She said: “Thank you so much UK for your support on this track, I can’t wait to come over soon and celebrate with you all.”
