Chris Daughtry is king of album sales this year

Chris Daughtry is king
of album sales this year

NEW YORK — He may not have won “American Idol,” but Chris Daughtry is the king of the album charts this year, according to Billboard. The “Idol” finalist’s band, Daughtry, sold 3.2 million copies of their self-titled debut, making it the most popular album of the year, according to the trade magazine. The group was followed by Akon, whose “Konvicted” sold 2.7 million; Fergie’s “The Dutchess,” which sold 2.4 million; the “Hannah Montana” soundtrack with 2.5 million copies sold; and 2005’s “American Idol” champ Carrie Underwood, whose “Some Hearts” sold 2.3 million copies. Beyoncé’s “Irreplaceable” was the No. 1 single of the year, followed by Rihanna’s “Umbrella.” Rounding out the top five was Gwen Stefani at No. 3 with “The Sweet Escape,” Fergie’s “Big Girls Don’t Cry” at No. 4, and T-Pain’s “Buy U A Drank [Shawty Snappin’]” at No. 5.

Autograph seekers put
Johnny Depp atop list

NEW YORK — Want an autograph from Johnny Depp? Chances are, he’ll sign something for you — and not be a jerk about it. The 44-year-old actor is the most gracious celebrity — for the third year in a row — on Autograph magazine’s annual list of the “10 Best and 10 Worst Hollywood Signers.” The magazine said editors compiled input from autograph-collecting judges based in Europe, New York and California in ranking the celebs. Matt Damon is second on the list, followed by George Clooney, Jack Nicholson, Rosario Dawson, John Travolta, Katherine Heigl, Jay Leno, Dakota Fanning and Russell Crowe — wait, Russell Crowe? Crowe, who has a history of throwing temper tantrums, ranked among the worst signers on last year’s list. But in a turnaround, the magazine said, the 43-year-old actor “started treating fans great, signing, taking pictures and chatting them up.” Will Ferrell is deemed the worst celebrity signer, followed by Tobey Maguire, Joaquin Phoenix, William Shatner, Renee Zellweger, John Malkovich, Julie Andrews, Bruce Willis, Teri Hatcher and Scarlett Johansson.

Today’s birthdays

Author Sir Arthur C. Clarke is 90. Actress Liv Ullmann is 69. CBS news correspondent Lesley Stahl is 66. TV producer Steven Bochco is 64. Pop singer Benny Andersson (ABBA) is 61. Rock singer-musician Billy Gibbons (ZZ Top) is 58. Country musician Chris Scruggs is 25.