Iron Maiden's The Number of the Beast

In honor of Queen Elizabeth’s Diamond Jubilee, an international celebration of the Queen’s 60th anniversary of her ascension to the throne, music retailer HMV conducted a poll of the top British albums in the last 60 years.

Fans were able to vote for their favorite British album via the retailer’s website and the results came as a bit of a surprise to many that assumed a mop topped four-piece would once again rank in the top honor. Although the Beatles did attain four of the top ten slots, including two in the top five, fans of the classic Iron Maiden album The Number of the Beast voted in droves, giving the album the number one spot – and apparently by a wide margin as it attained over 9% of the entire vote.

HMV adds that about 55,000 fans came to vote for their favorite from a list of 60 albums, adding that the poll’s results show “the power of social media means there are one or two surprises.”

Iron Maiden frontman Bruce Dickinson stated that the results were “very special,” adding: “We’re astonished and delighted. Some of the most influential and classic albums from the last 60 years were in the running, so it’s a testament to our incredibly loyal and ever-supportive fans.”

Here’s how the top ten shaped out:

 

HMV’s best British albums of the past 60 years

1. Iron Maiden: The Number of the Beast (9.2%)

2. Depeche Mode: Violator (6.3%)

3. The Beatles: Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (5.7%)

4. The Beatles: Abbey Road (5.6%)

5. Pink Floyd: The Dark Side of the Moon (5.2%)

6. The Beatles: Revolver (4.0%)

7. Queen: A Night at the Opera (3.9%)

8. Oasis: (What’s the Story) Morning Glory? (3.9%)

9. Adele: 21 (3.1%)

10. The Beatles: White Album (2.6%)

 

 

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