David Bowie's ‘Legacy' Continues To Grow Years After His Death

Forbes

08-07-2025

David Bowie's Legacy compilation reaches 450 weeks on the U.K.'s Official Albums chart, marking his ... More first time hitting such a large number on the tally. NEW YORK - MAY 5: (U.S. TABS AND HOLLYWOOD REPORTER OUT) Singer David Bowie stands backstage at The Film Society of Lincoln Center's Tribute to Susan Sarandon at Avery Fisher Hall May 5, 2003 in New York City. (Photo by)
Throughout the years, there have been several David Bowie compilations that have become hugely successful in the United Kingdom, where the rocker is still regarded as one of the most creative and beloved musicians, even nearly a decade after his passing. Among his many popular collections of singles, live recordings, and other tunes, one stands out as perhaps the most commercially viable of the bunch: Legacy. The title can always be found on the weekly rankings in the U.K., as people never stop listening to his catalog.
Legacy brings Bowie's name to a special landmark this week — one he never reached during his lifetime.
Legacy Reaches 450 Weeks on the Official Albums Chart
Bowie's Legacy continues to grow, as the compilation hits 450 weeks spent on the Official Albums chart. The tally ranks the most consumed EPs and full-length projects of any genre or format in the U.K. each week. The compilation is far and away Bowie's longest-running success, and has been for quite a while, and every time it reaches another special figure, Bowie posthumously does as well.
At the moment, Legacy sits at No. 74 on the Official Albums chart, down just a few spaces from several days ago. The compilation previously peaked at No. 5 — a somewhat surprisingly low position for a title that has managed to live on the ranking for years and will likely remain there for several more.
Plays on Spotify, Apple Music, and other platforms are largely keeping Legacy afloat, as the compilation does not currently appear on any sales rankings, but it does rise to No. 59 on the Official Albums Streaming chart.
No Other David Bowie Album is Even Close
No other album by Bowie has managed to crack 200 weeks on the Official Albums chart, aside from Legacy. His early set The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars ranks as his second-longest-running, with 168 weeks. That figure narrowly beats Best of, which has racked up 163 stays on the tally.
Legacy Was Released Months After David Bowie's Death
Legacy was released in November 2016, less than a year after Bowie passed away at age 69. The compilation didn't differ much from several past projects, but its timing turned it into a bestseller, as the world was mourning Bowie's creative vision and voice at the time. It is still the title that people focus on when listening to the late star's music, so it's the one that remains on the charts.