'Candle' an instant sell-out
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Britain's record stores sold out of Elton John's "Candle in the Wind" yesterday within hours of the tribute to Princess Diana going on sale, write Vanessa Thorpe and Graham Ball.
Customers queued across the country to snap up the 250,000 CDs and cassettes available. Record stores were hoping to receive the bulk of their initial order of 1.25 million copies tomorrow, with reinforcements coming later in the week.
Yesterday's sales made certain the hastily produced single, first performed at the Princess's funeral a week ago, would be a chart-topper just a day after its release. And, with record store managers describing it as the fastest-selling single of all time, it could even be the Christmas number one, they predicted.
The speed with which the singles left the shelves astonished record store staff nationwide. Tower Records, central London, opened its doors at midnight to sell 1,000 copies in an hour, and had sold its initial quota of 4,000 by midday.
At the Virgin Megastore in central London, the shop's quota of 3,000 CD singles had also gone by midday, a situation that was reflected at Virgin and Our Price stores across the country.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments