Bon Jovi Takes ‘Lost Highway’ To The Top Of The Charts

Bon Jovi is having the best week ever.

Their latest album, the country-infused “Lost Highway,” debuted at # 1 on the Billboard 200 album chart with 288,304 copies sold — their biggest one-week sales total to date.

“Lost Highway” marks the band’s first # 1 album since 1988’s “New Jersey,” and it’s the first time they’ve debuted an album at # 1 in the U.S.

“‘Lost Highway’ is a career-defining collection of new songs that is resonating with Bon Jovi fans in a way that established a new standard of success for the band,” said Antonio “L.A.” Reid, Chairman, Island Def Jam Music Group. “Bon Jovi has once again proved that their loyal following not only transcends any changes in the marketplace, but in fact has grown in numbers. 2007 is shaping up as a monumental year in Bon Jovi’s history.”

And that is no exaggeration. The album also topped both Billboard’s Rock Albums chart and European Top 100 chart; as well as charts in seven other countries. The band’s high-profile appearances on “American Idol” and the relaunch of “MTV Unplugged” were undoubtedly factors in the album’s huge success, along with sales generated from fans of country music.

The White Stripes also enjoyed a career high this week with their latest album, “Icky Thump,” which debuted at # 2 with 223,056 copies sold.

Brad Paisley’s “5th Gear” comes in at # 3 on its first week of release, and also tops the Billboard Top Country Albums chart. Paisley had his biggest first-week take ever with 197,151 copies sold.

The country trend continues with Toby Keith, who lands at # 4 after spending last week in the top spot with “Big Dog Daddy.”

Paul McCartney’s “Memory Almost Full” fell two spots to come in at # 5 this week, but the dip may prove to be short lived following his appearance on “Larry King Live” last night.

Linkin Park stayed at # 6, while Maroon 5, Fabolous and T-Pain lost some steam (though not enough to drop from the Top 10).

Amy Winehouse is the only Top 10 artist to actually move up the chart this week (at # 7), despite selling nearly 20,000 less albums than last week at # 10.

As for the Hot Downloaded Singles Chart: Rihanna (with Jay-Z) still reigns supreme with “Umbrella,” in a week that sees fewer overall sales, but little movement compared to last week’s positions.

Below are Billboard’s Top 10 Album and Top 10 Downloaded Singles charts for the week:

TOP 10 Albums

ARTIST- TITLE -UNITS SOLD

1. BON JOVI – Lost Highway – 288,304
2. THE WHITE STRIPES – Icky Thump – 223,056
3. BRAD PAISLEY – 5th Gear – 197,151
4. TOBY KEITH – Big Dog Daddy – 73,390
5. PAUL MCCARTNEY – Memory Almost Full – 64,351
6. LINKIN PARK – Minutes To Midnight – 63,144
7. AMY WINEHOUSE – Back To Black – 62,473
8. MAROON 5 – It Won’t Be Soon Before Long – 62,254
9. FABOLOUS – From Nothin’ To Somethin’ – 58,876
10. T-PAIN – Epiphany – 56,237

TOP 10 Downloaded Singles

1. RIHANNA feat. JAY-Z – Umbrella – 159,010
2. SHOP BOYZ – Party Like A Rockstar – 147,485
3. PLAIN WHITE T’S – Hey There Delilah – 138,614
4. FERGIE – Big Girls Don’t Cry – 137,434
5. AVRIL LAVIGNE – Girlfriend – 78,179
6. T-PAIN FEATURING YUNG JOC – Buy U A Drank (Shawty Snappin’) – 77,893
7. MAROON 5 – Makes Me Wonder – 77,692
8. AMY WINEHOUSE – Rehab – 73,863
9. LIL MAMA – Lip Gloss – 66,822
10.FALL OUT BOY – Thnks Fr Th Mmrs – 65,714