After 45 years in the music business, singer-songwriter James Taylor has topped the U.S. album charts for the first time.
Taylor's first breakout album "Sweet Baby James" was released in 1970 and since then, 11 of his albums have made it into the top 10, but none were ever able to hit the number one spot. Now, nearly 45 years later, his "Before This World" Album has become the No. 1 album on the Billboard 200 chart, according to Billboard. It reached the top after 97,000 albums were sold in the week ending June 21.
The folk-rock singer is shockingly close to Taylor Swift on the Billboard Artist 100 chart as well, Billboard reports. Swift has been at the top of that chart for a record-extending 30th week, and Taylor has just reached the No. 3 spot. The Weeknd holds the No. 2 chart, which is his best rank ever.
This list is particularly special because it is "the first weekly survey dedicated to measuring artist activity across 'Billboard's' most influential charts, including the Billboard Hot 100 songs chart, Top Album Sales and the Social 50," according to Billboard. It is a special blend of not only the albums sales, but how often the tracks are played on the radio, how much they are being streamed by fans and how much they are being talked about on social media.
Taylor and Swift even shared a collaboration a few years ago, according to AFP, which contributed to his recent popularity. Swift is apparently even named after him.
Considering who Taylor was going up against, this is a very big deal for the 67-year-old veteran singer. During the time of the album released, young solo artists Adam Lambert, Hilary Duff and Nate Ruess all released their own albums, but Taylor's still passed theirs, according to Variety.
Although it is a major accomplishment, he did not set any records on his way to the top. It took him 45 years to reach the top spot, but the record still belongs to Tony Bennet, who waited 54 years to reach that spot. His 2011 album "Duets II" is what took the No. 1 spot. The album featured him singing alongside many female singers, including Lady Gaga, who he is now on tour with.
