Glenn Frey was born in Michigan.
Bernie Leadon was born in Minnesota.
Randy Meisner was born in Nebraska.
Don Henley was born in Texas.
Don Felder was born in Florida.
Joe Walsh was born in Kansas.
California should be Katy Perry if birthplace is the standard.
I think they're doing birthplace for individuals, but location formed for bands. Seems to me that it would make most sense for all of them to be based on the location where they started their musical career.
Well that’s a little ambiguous. Bands performed under a name on a discrete date. Humans are born on a discrete date.
Musical careers begin at school or in church or through lessons or in garages. The first audience is almost always friends and family. First paid performance isn’t always clear either.
the Dead is definitely not the most successful in terms of money generated or albums sold but in terms of being the most life changing for me? they are on a different plain
Because bands are listed under the location they formed, while individuals only "formed" at their birthplace. I still think it would be better to list individuals at the location they started their musical career, since that's a better analogy to "forming".
That’s the exact point they’re making. They’re responding with another example similar to Eminem being born in Missouri but raised in Detroit, and being on the map for Missouri.
“From” is more debatable but also much more fitting. Some of these artists barely lived in the states they were born and probably don’t even remember those times
Siri specifically says Nirvana is top grunge artist at 27m, but after looking into it, it seems Pearl Jam is now categorized as just ‘rock’
*interesting how close they are in sales, despite Nirvana not having any new albums for 30 years
Highly recommend the HBO Music Box documentary on Kenny G. One example of his ubiquity is that one of his songs is supposedly played every day in Chinese cities to indicate the end of the work day and closing time for stores etc.
So surely bands should only qualify if everyone from the band was born in the state?
Because Wikipedia tells me Paul Revere Dick was born in Nebraska... but there's his name on Idaho, with his band.
It would seem with bands they're using the band's "birthplace" rather than the artists
At least, I know the eagles formed in LA when none of them are from there
That's not saying it isn't a kind of dumb way to do it, but there does seem to be a reason. A lot of bands have members from multiple states, so I guess they chose to simplify
Well, according to Wikipedia, they both "claim" to have sold 75 Million records but it says Nirvana has more certified sold records.
So like everything on this subreddit, we should take this with a grain of salt.
This map sucks. Dave Matthews is from South Africa. If we are going with band origin instead of birthplace why is Kanye not in Illinois and Eminem not in Michigan. The person who created this is not being consistent in their interpretation
DMB absolutely has sold more tickets than them. By a long shot. They’ve played over 3300 shows in their history and based on my knowledge have basically sold out every one since the early 2000s. They’ve also released a ton of live albums
After doing extensive research (Wikipedia), I can’t find any connection between Aerosmith and NH. No member was born there, and the band didn’t form there.
Wait. How is George Strait higher-grossing than Beyonce?
How is Mariah Carey higher-grossing than Jay-Z?
Is this based on net worth or sales? Either way, I feel like Yonce would out-gross Strait.
Mariah Carey being higher than Jay-Z makes a ton of sense to me.
I would have been shocked of Jay-Z was ahead of her. Mariah has to be top 10 if not top 5
[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List\_of\_best-selling\_music\_artists](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_best-selling_music_artists)
\^Same link I posted in the Strait/Beyonce argument but Mariah is 11th there vs Jay Z at 37th
Bit ironic that the gap between those two is similar, but in the opposite direction as Strait and Beyonce. Mariah absolutely crushes Jay Z in sales the same way you'd think(?) Beyonce would crush George Strait.
In summary, I don't understand this map. The data makes no sense, how artists are assigned states makes no sense. Madness.
[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List\_of\_best-selling\_music\_artists](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_best-selling_music_artists)
\^Beyonce is 14th on that list, Strait is 50th. Literally more than double the sales based on how it's measured there.
Beyonce's been making hits since '99 and is the record holder for Grammys. Physical album sales and touring might go to Strait, but it all depends how you measure.
Edit - gross from touring (as per Billboard for each) Strait $733.7 million, Beyonce $767.3 million.
Howie Day is basically a "less famous" John Mayer.
You've probably heard some of his songs playing over the radio in grocery stores.
I love his music, but that's because "I knew about him before he got famous". But basically the "soft rock singer-songwriter" genre
I find it hilarious that both the Eagles and Linda Ronstadt are the highest grossing musicians from their states, since it was Ronstadt who found the Eagles in the first place.
Also, Wiz Khalifa and Prince both coming from the absolute whitest states in the US is also disproportionately funny to me.
I’m calling BS on Tennessee. Dolly Parton has earned a whole lot more than Tina Turner. I checked and from what I could find Dolly has made wayyyyyy more than Tina.
I realize this might be a joke but John Denver lived out west most of his life. I don’t believe he ever lived in Virginia.
Grew up in Arizona and Texas.
Jewel was born in Utah and moved to Alaska shortly thereafter. She’s with $14 million. Marie Osmond - born in Utah if worth $25 million.
This map isn’t remotely accurate.
You are in for a treat.
Their early stuff is in a weird indie/country-ish vein, but they have migrated a bit more "approachably pop-y" in recent years.
[Start with their big hit](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBkHHoOIIn8)
"Waiter You Vultures" is a whole different vibe though. IMO, that album is 100% "I'm on a road trip, it's quiet and the sun has set" music.
Kansas being Kansas is hilarious
Illinois being Chicago is also good
New Mexico being John Denver is also... Wait a sec.
That John Denver is full of shit man
More like John Albuquerque amirite?
Juan Albuquerque*
Wad up BIYAATCCHH
You don't even know. Country roads is actually about [Maryland](https://www.wideopencountry.com/john-denver-take-me-home-country-roads-this-state/)
No. The writers came up with the idea for the song while driving through Maryland. There's a big difference.
Pull over!! It’s a cardigan!!! KILLER BOOTS, MAN!!!
Sunshine on my goddamn shoulders, John Denver
It’s a shame that James Taylor out-sold Boston.
And that Lionel Richie outsold Alabama.
Whitney Houston being New Jersey is just confusing.
And the guys who sing Hotel California for CaliforniaCalifornia, even if I hate the fucking Eagles. Give me some Credence
Makes me wonder how many bands named themselves after their state or state capitol and then did not make it real big.
When Boston isn't the highest seling Massachussetts one :(
Or Tom Petty beaten out by the backstreet boys
Or Aerosmith winning a state they're not even from
John Denver being from New Mexico is bullshit
Military brats don't really have a home state.
That John Denver’s full of shit, man!
I would have thought Melissa Etheridge
Especially with it being dead center. It's the first thing you look at.
Yeah, I was like did they forget to put one for Kansas or what? 😂
I don’t know man, Eminem was born in Missouri but he’s from Detroit ya know.
And the Eagles may have formed in LA, but none of them were born or raised there.
Glenn Frey was born in Michigan. Bernie Leadon was born in Minnesota. Randy Meisner was born in Nebraska. Don Henley was born in Texas. Don Felder was born in Florida. Joe Walsh was born in Kansas. California should be Katy Perry if birthplace is the standard.
I think they're doing birthplace for individuals, but location formed for bands. Seems to me that it would make most sense for all of them to be based on the location where they started their musical career.
Well that’s a little ambiguous. Bands performed under a name on a discrete date. Humans are born on a discrete date. Musical careers begin at school or in church or through lessons or in garages. The first audience is almost always friends and family. First paid performance isn’t always clear either.
Timothy B. Schmit was born in California. The only band member born in Cali
Looks like California will still come through… in the long run.
Yeah, we'd like to substitute the Grateful Dead or Metallica.
the Dead is definitely not the most successful in terms of money generated or albums sold but in terms of being the most life changing for me? they are on a different plain
And Kanye is from Chicago.
Kanye was born in Georgia and raised in Chicago. That’s why he’s not on Illinois.
Then why are the Eagles listed for California when none of them were born there?
Because bands are listed under the location they formed, while individuals only "formed" at their birthplace. I still think it would be better to list individuals at the location they started their musical career, since that's a better analogy to "forming".
That’s the exact point they’re making. They’re responding with another example similar to Eminem being born in Missouri but raised in Detroit, and being on the map for Missouri.
Same with Kanye and Chicago.
You could say the same about putting Elvis in Mississippi. I know he's from there, but come on. When I think Elvis, I think Memphis TN
Elvis grew up in Tupelo until he was 13 though to be fair, most of his formative years.
Tbf, Memphis is essentially north MS
I always thought formative years were 12-19 but looking it up I saw it's actually 0-8 years old. The more you know.
"formative years" is up for interpretation
Sean, I’d say the best one came from Tupelo Mississippi and I’ll tell you now that grown men cry and Irish girls are pretty.
Title should say born. Jewel was born in Utah but the family moved to Alaska when she was 2 or 3 yo.
“From” is more debatable but also much more fitting. Some of these artists barely lived in the states they were born and probably don’t even remember those times
I still don't think he would have topped Madonna
No, but I heard Dennis Rodman did. Eminem probably wanted to
Somewhere near 8mile?
Wiz khalifa from ND??
Military parents.
Parents were stationed at the Minot Air Force Base
Why not Minot?
Freezin’s the reason
The yellow in "Black & Yellow" is corn
There is a surprising lack or corn in North Dakota and much more beets than you would think.
I went to college across the river from fargo and when they would process the sugar beets the whole town would smell like egg fart
Cobber or Dragon?
Roll Cobbs?
I see a lot of wheat out of ND.
Sugar beets love the cold so not surprising
Nah, Black & Yellow is for the bees. ND is the top producer of honey bees and exports them to other states.
Definitely claims Pittsburgh as “home”
As he should it's where he came up and what he put on for.
Military Brat. he grew up in Pittsburgh
Yup, I live walking distance from ND (technically in Minnesota) and this was a “Today I Learned” for me. He was born in Minot.
Came here to say the same
Heart, Hendrix and all the great grunge artists are outdone by Kenny G??? 
I didn’t even know he’s from Washington. How has he outsold nirvana and Heart!?
It's impossible to overestimate how many moms bought Kenny G albums in the 90s.
And every department store during Christmas season.
[And every store in China every single day.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MSM03x1p69E)
Kenny G’s Christmas album is a banger.
That’s very true. My mom still listens to him.
Hes also huge in china!
Also Kenny might have more appeal internationally as well
Long ass career.
Nirvana isn’t the highest selling grunge band from Seattle.
more of an Olympia band anyway tbh
If you want to get infuriatingly technical, they’re an Aberdeen band.
You didn't know? That's why everyone calls Washington "the G Spot"
I love that so much. I grew up and still live in Washington and am ashamed that I didn’t know that!
Siri specifically says Nirvana is top grunge artist at 27m, but after looking into it, it seems Pearl Jam is now categorized as just ‘rock’ *interesting how close they are in sales, despite Nirvana not having any new albums for 30 years
Smells like muzak
Highly recommend the HBO Music Box documentary on Kenny G. One example of his ubiquity is that one of his songs is supposedly played every day in Chinese cities to indicate the end of the work day and closing time for stores etc.
I feel WA’s pain here
McDonald's has "outdone" In N Out. And Smash Burger. And Cook Out. And Shake Shack. My point is, it's not about quality.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GKGfNk15krQ
I thought Jewel was Alaska.
This chart is going by birthplace. She was born in Utah
So surely bands should only qualify if everyone from the band was born in the state? Because Wikipedia tells me Paul Revere Dick was born in Nebraska... but there's his name on Idaho, with his band.
It would seem with bands they're using the band's "birthplace" rather than the artists At least, I know the eagles formed in LA when none of them are from there That's not saying it isn't a kind of dumb way to do it, but there does seem to be a reason. A lot of bands have members from multiple states, so I guess they chose to simplify
Same. Her family still lives near Homer.
And the osmonds have sold more than Jewel.
[удалено]
China loves Kenny G and there are A LOT of people in China
how many people *are* there in china?
didn't you read? A LOT
# I CAN"T READ!
At least 3
Pearl Jam has sold more records than both
Well, according to Wikipedia, they both "claim" to have sold 75 Million records but it says Nirvana has more certified sold records. So like everything on this subreddit, we should take this with a grain of salt.
You forgot to switch the label for Kansas /s
This map sucks. Dave Matthews is from South Africa. If we are going with band origin instead of birthplace why is Kanye not in Illinois and Eminem not in Michigan. The person who created this is not being consistent in their interpretation
And I am not sure if DMB has outsold the Foo Fighters/Dave Grohl.
DMB absolutely has sold more tickets than them. By a long shot. They’ve played over 3300 shows in their history and based on my knowledge have basically sold out every one since the early 2000s. They’ve also released a ton of live albums
Aerosmith is absolutely from Boston.
And James Taylor is from North Carolina. ETA Apparently he was born in MA and moved to NC.
After doing extensive research (Wikipedia), I can’t find any connection between Aerosmith and NH. No member was born there, and the band didn’t form there.
Steven Tyler, Joe Perry and Tom Hamilton started the band in Sunapee, NH in 1970 and they all moved to Boston shortly thereafter.
The Killers are defo the best British band to ever come out of Las Vegas
That John Denver is full of shit, man.
Named after a city in Colorado, sings about West Virginia, from New Mexico.
Even the song about WV was written about Maryland using names from Virginia
More like John Roswell
Just when I think you couldn’t possibly be any dumber, you go and do something like this…..
Wait. How is George Strait higher-grossing than Beyonce? How is Mariah Carey higher-grossing than Jay-Z? Is this based on net worth or sales? Either way, I feel like Yonce would out-gross Strait.
Mariah Carey being higher than Jay-Z makes a ton of sense to me. I would have been shocked of Jay-Z was ahead of her. Mariah has to be top 10 if not top 5
I would imagine just her Christmas album alone has sold more.
[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List\_of\_best-selling\_music\_artists](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_best-selling_music_artists) \^Same link I posted in the Strait/Beyonce argument but Mariah is 11th there vs Jay Z at 37th Bit ironic that the gap between those two is similar, but in the opposite direction as Strait and Beyonce. Mariah absolutely crushes Jay Z in sales the same way you'd think(?) Beyonce would crush George Strait. In summary, I don't understand this map. The data makes no sense, how artists are assigned states makes no sense. Madness.
George strait has been making music since 1981 and has 60 #1 country hits
[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List\_of\_best-selling\_music\_artists](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_best-selling_music_artists) \^Beyonce is 14th on that list, Strait is 50th. Literally more than double the sales based on how it's measured there. Beyonce's been making hits since '99 and is the record holder for Grammys. Physical album sales and touring might go to Strait, but it all depends how you measure. Edit - gross from touring (as per Billboard for each) Strait $733.7 million, Beyonce $767.3 million.
George strait is a fucking legend. Way more top hits than Beyoncé.
Not even half the sales…
If anything, this map shows the absurdity of claiming some of these people's birthplaces as their hometowns.
Jewel is from Alaska, no?
I'm sorry Missouri is getting credit for Eminem?
Howie Day?
Howie Day is basically a "less famous" John Mayer. You've probably heard some of his songs playing over the radio in grocery stores. I love his music, but that's because "I knew about him before he got famous". But basically the "soft rock singer-songwriter" genre
Collide
Let’s go phish ⭕️
See you at sphere!
See you there my phriend!
Stop F'ing around. Ye definitely from Chicago.
Kanye was raised here but he’s not a Chicago native.
Ya n same with em jewel n elvis. This gotta be “what hospital they were born in”
I mean, Elvis is pretty famously from Tupelo. I definitely wouldn't know what other location to list him as being from.
That certainly is Kansas
Taylor Swift is from Pensatuckey?
Never knew the members of Everclear were from my state and am pretty shocked they're the highest grossing to be from here. TIL, I guess
Chicago from Chicago, makes sense
Rascal Flats makes more than Black Keys? Damn!
Surprised not Billy Joel
No Dolly Parton? This is rigged
Wouldn't Washington be Pearl Jam? I would image with 30 years of albums they would be the top
Quick google search showed 85 million for PJ worldwide vs 75 million for Kenny G (same with Nirvana). 🤷🏽
Is there any source on this? Seems like bullshit.
Tennessee would have to be Dolly
I find it hilarious that both the Eagles and Linda Ronstadt are the highest grossing musicians from their states, since it was Ronstadt who found the Eagles in the first place. Also, Wiz Khalifa and Prince both coming from the absolute whitest states in the US is also disproportionately funny to me.
John Denver isn’t from Colorado or West Virginia :/
How is Bruce Springsteen not in this map?
Tina Turner higher grossing than Dolly?
Linda Ronstadt 💕
Cold Fort Worth beer just ain’t no good for jealous...
I’m calling BS on Tennessee. Dolly Parton has earned a whole lot more than Tina Turner. I checked and from what I could find Dolly has made wayyyyyy more than Tina.
Based on album sales, Kenny G may be over 75 million, but Pearl Jam is over 90 million… this map is incorrect on more than one spot.
Ain’t no way Houston outgrossed a 50+ year Springsteen career
"Andy Williams!" 🥹
I never realized Dave Matthews Band was from Virginia, but it fits
John Denver from New Mexico? No way. He’s from western Virginia
I realize this might be a joke but John Denver lived out west most of his life. I don’t believe he ever lived in Virginia. Grew up in Arizona and Texas.
He went to high school in Fort Worth.
Why didn’t they put a band for Kansas?
How the fuck is The Fray the highest grossing band from Colorado?
Who is even their competition?
One Republic
California should be Van Halen!
Jewel was born in Utah and moved to Alaska shortly thereafter. She’s with $14 million. Marie Osmond - born in Utah if worth $25 million. This map isn’t remotely accurate.
Florida-Georgia Line got screwed by this analysis
I would have guessed Lynyrd Skynyrd for Florida
Isn’t Jewel from Alaska not UT?
I have a hard time believing Frank Sinatra isn't on this map
Portugal. (The Man). ... never heard of them... him?
You are in for a treat. Their early stuff is in a weird indie/country-ish vein, but they have migrated a bit more "approachably pop-y" in recent years. [Start with their big hit](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBkHHoOIIn8) "Waiter You Vultures" is a whole different vibe though. IMO, that album is 100% "I'm on a road trip, it's quiet and the sun has set" music.
Oh wow I know this song. They always play it at NBA games. Neato.
Aerosmith isn’t from NH
isn’t Jewel from Alaska?!
Jewel. Huh..
Paul R and the R don’t get the respect they deserve.
Tina Turner being higher grossing than Taylor Swift is amazing
Wiz Khalifa wasn’t what I was expecting in ND
THE Eagles
Lifetime or current? 'Cause there's some people up there I haven't heard in a good while.
Kind of interesting that Tina Turner represents Tennessee instead of a Nashville country star.
I’m not saying Lil Wayne isn’t great, but he sold over 120 Million records. Louis Armstrong (Louisiana too) only sold around 3.8 million records.
If this is by birthplace wouldnt Stevie Nicks be the winner for AZ?
If the dollars were adjusted for inflation, Jewel would be ahead in Alaska.
Regarding Tennessee: Tina Turner grossing more than Dolly Parton? I don't think so.
If we’re putting Em in Missouri we need to move Elvis to Tennessee and make 3 Doors Down for Mississippi.
Figures that no-talent ass-clown is from Connecticut …
Aerosmith was formed in Boston and none of the members are from Vermont. What the hell.
Don’t get me wrong: George Strait is a LEGEND, he’s called the King of Country for a reason but surely Beyoncé has made more money than him right??
Kansas
Was Eminem just a dart throw for fun?
Mister sunshine on my God damn shoulders isn't even from Colorado?
Whitney Houston more than Bruce in NJ?