David Bowie's “The Next Day” tops UK album chart

PanARMENIAN.Net - David Bowie's The Next Day -- the rock icon's first album in 10 years -- is the fastest-selling of the year in the U.K. so far, topping the British album chart in its first week of sales, The Hollywood Reporter said.

The chart was unveiled March 17.

The album is the 66-year-old's first No. 1 since his 1993 release, Black Tie White Noise.

The Next Day sold 94,000 copies this week, according to the Official Chart Co., outselling the No. 2 album, from Bon Jovi, by a ratio of 2-to-1.

Justin Timberlake remains at the top of the singles chart with Mirrors.

Bowie's move to release new material came as a surprise to much of the music industry.

A retrospective of the eclectic performer is being opened in the British capital at London's Victoria and Albert Museum on March 23, celebrating Bowie as a musical innovator and cultural icon.

It has presold more tickets than any other show at the V&A Museum, selling more than 42,000 ahead of its opening.

The Next Day was released on the Iso/Columbia record label.