THE BEATLE's 'Sgt. Pepper' Album to Go Platinum for First Time in Britain

In a shocking revelation, The New York Times Artsbeat blog reports that 13 of some the best known Beatles albums, including "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band," "Revolver" and "Rubber Soul" have been certified platinum for the very first time in Britain, the very place where they were first recorded and released.

The status update is due to a recent change in rules announced by the British Phonographic Industry, the music industry trade group which awards gold and platinum status to best-selling records in Britain.

As a result of the recently installed system, many of the Fab Four's earliest catalog of music, dating as far back as 1963, will finally receive official platinum status. Ironically, "Sgt. Pepper's" is believed to have sold more than five million copies in Britain since its release in June 1967, which should make it a platinum-selling album several times over.

According to the BBC, the gold and platinum disc system has only been in place since 1973, and until recently, has depended upon a record company's request to bestow the status to an artist, rather than it being automatically awarded. In addition, the BBC reported, "the number of sales can only be counted from 1994, when the Official Charts Company began keeping records."

The Beatles became a worldwide phenomenum in the 1960's. The group broke up in 1970 with all four band members, Paul McCartney, John Lennon, George Harrison and Ringo Starr going on to successful solo careers.

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