Beatles '1' is fastest selling album ever

The Beatles are back to claim the record set by U.S. boy band N Sync

LONDON, England -- The Beatles have proved they are still the world's most popular band decades after they broke up.

The erstwhile Fab Four have sold more than 12 million copies of their album "1" to claim the world record for the fastest selling album ever.

Apple, which released the album, said The Beatles' greatest hits album had sold 3.6 million in its first week and more than 12 million in three weeks.

That put the British quartet of Paul McCartney, John Lennon, George Harrison and Ringo Starr, who split up 30 years ago, way ahead of current record holders U.S. boy band N Sync, who sold 2.4 million copies of "No Strings Attached" in its first week of release in March.

"Sales are going through the roof and it's not going to stop here," Beatles press officer Jeff Baker said.

The album "1," which outsold British pop star Robbie Willams' "Sing When You're Winning" in its first week, has soared to number one spot in 28 countries, including Britain, the United States, Germany, Australia, Israel and Chile.

The collection of 27 number one singles from "Love Me Do" to "Long and Winding Road" is now on target to become the best-selling album by a group.

The Guinness Book of Records said that title is currently held by The Eagles' Greatest Hits, which has sold 26 million copies since its release in 1976.

Only three of the Beatles are still alive. Lennon was shot dead by Mark Chapman in December 1980.

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