According to Billboard, the best-selling artists by decade were:

Fifities:
1. Elvis Presley
2. Pat Boone
3. Perry Como
4. Ricky Nelson
5. Fats Domino
6. Nat King Cole
7. Platters
8. Frank Sinatra
9. Everly Brothers
10. Four Lads

Sixties:
1. Beatles
2. Elvis Presley
3. Supremes
4. Brenda Lee
5. Beach Boys
6. Four Seasons
7. Temptations
8. Connie Francis
9. Ray Charles
10. Bobby Vinton

Seventies:
1. Elton John
2. Paul McCartney
3. Bee Gees
4. Chicago
5. Carpenters
6. Jackson 5
7. Stevie Wonder
8. Three Dog Night
9. Olivia Newton-John
10. Barry Manilow

Eighties:
1. Daryl Hall & John Oates
2. Michael Jackson
3. Kenny Rogers
4. Lionel Richie
5. Billy Joel
6. Air Supply
7. Rick Springfield
8. Diana Ross
9. Olivia Newton-John
10. Kool & the Gang

Michael Jackson is the epitome of 80's music. Too bad he's #2, and where is Madonna?