Just less than 24 hours ago, Madonna  proved to the world why she’s still the Queen of Pop, as she equalled Elvis Presley’s record of 11 British number one album. ‘Celebration’ snatched the top spot 26 years after Madonna released her debut, self titled solo album.

It was 1983; Michael Jackson first performed the moonwalk, the video for ‘Thriller’ was first broadcast, The Red Hot Chili Peppers released their first album, McDonalds launched the McNugget, Tennessee Williams died and Madonna reached number six on the UK album chart with ‘Madonna’.

The following year, the timeless icon released her second studio album ‘Like A Virgin’, which shot to the number one spot in both the UK and the USA, and currently boasts diamond status with surplus of 21 million copies sold worldwide. Since then, the ‘Material Girl’ has solidified her status as one of the most popular and successful musicians of all time. Despite turning 51 last month, the American phenomenon retains the Queen of Pop crown she has held for the last three decades.

According to the Recording Industry Association of America, Madonna is the best selling female artist of the twentieth century and has sold over two hundred million albums worldwide, thus it was no surprise when she was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2008.

It is clear to anyone who has lived on planet Earth in the past three decades that Madonna is possibly the greatest, most immovable force in music. With ‘Celebration’ – co-produced by British DJ Paul Oakenfold – debuting at number one, Madonna sits at joint second place with Rock n Roll legend Elvis Presley who also achieved eleven UK number one albums. Only The Beatles remain in front with a slightly controversial total of 13 UK number one albums to date.

As a spokesperson for PRS for Music stated, ‘this is a truly astonishing achievement for any artist in this day and age.’ That said; the outcome this Sunday was rather inevitable. The real question is: how many more records can Madonna break before she eventually decides it may be time for someone else to wear that crown?

~ Joanne O’Neill