Rob Lea Smashes into the Official Charts with His First Top 40 Record!

It’s been a whirlwind journey, but on Friday 20th, Rob Lea made history as an independent artist, crashing into the Official Charts with his debut album! This remarkable achievement is a huge milestone, not just for Rob but for all independent artists who strive to make their mark in the music industry. From being a Freddie Mercury tribute act to self-funding and self-promoting an original album, Rob's story is one of relentless passion, determination, and the power of a supportive community.

The numbers speak for themselves:

• Number 8 on the Official Independent Breakers Chart

• Number 15 on the Official Independent Albums Charts

• Number 36 on the Official Physical Albums Charts

• Number 40 on the Official Albums Sales Charts

For a completely DIY artist, breaking into the Top 40 alongside major label artists is no small feat. Rob’s journey began with his years performing as Freddie Mercury in one of the UK’s most recognized Queen tribute bands. But it was always his dream to release an album of his own songs—an album that spoke from his heart, capturing his personal experiences and artistic growth.

Reflecting on the journey, Rob says, "Making this album was a labour of love. From crowdfunding to recording, to promoting it ourselves—it’s been an incredible ride. I couldn’t be prouder of everyone involved. We’re showing that independent artists, without big label backing, can still make a massive impact. It’s all about the music and the fans who believe in it."

The path to the Top 40 wasn’t easy. Rob, with the help of his team, worked tirelessly to promote the album, organizing live sessions, connecting with fans, and pushing for pre-orders. The indie music world is built on hard work and community, and Rob’s success shows the power of both. The album’s chart placement is a testament to the fans who have rallied behind him, proving that real music can still cut through in an industry dominated by big players.

Continuing the Climb

Now that the album is in the charts, the work isn’t done. Rob is determined to push even further. Over the next month, Rob will be selling CDs at his Queen shows, all of which will count towards the charts. In an era where many people don’t even own CD players anymore, the impact of buying a physical CD can’t be understated. It takes 1,000 streams to have the same value as one CD sale—so anyone who buys a CD is doing something huge for independent music and helping their favourite artist climb the charts.

“We’re going to keep pushing!” says Rob. “There’s so much love in this project, and I want to see just how far we can go. Selling CDs at shows, looking after the fans, sharing this music—it’s all part of the journey. Every CD makes a difference, and we’re still in the race to climb the charts!”

For those who want to make a real difference, Rob is offering a bundle of 4 CDs on his website, which is an incredible way to support indie music while collecting something special from the album’s release.

A Huge Thank You to Everyone Involved

This journey wouldn’t have been possible without the dedication and passion of so many incredible people. Firstyly the amazing fans that have rallied behind Rob - "You guys are amazing and you've made my dreams come true!"

Rob expresses his deepest thanks, starting with James Routh, the album’s brilliant producer, and the talented musicians who helped bring the songs to life: Chris Carter on drums, Shabenah Razvand on vocals, Debbie Lea on vocals, Harrison and Harvey Lea on vocals. Richard Curran for his incredible string arrangements. Stephen Kerrison for Mastering the album. A special thank you to musicians like Luke, Amy, Jayne, Sarah, and the What The Pluck strings for their work on the live videos.

Thanks also to Dan at Rock Hard Studios, Steve Sharples and Ash Betton for videography, Colin Boulter for his exceptional photography, and the local venues in Blackpool that have supported Rob’s projects, The Pack Smart Group for their help and advice navigating the charts rules and distributing the records, the team at The official charts for their advice and help making sure each of those purchases counted towards the charts. A massive shoutout to Silky and the team at Hookings Management for their guidance, and to Rich Walker at Melody Mover for their help with playlisting and digital distribution. And let’s not forget Andy Vickers for tirelessly manning the merch stand at shows.

Finally, a heartfelt thanks to Debs, the kids, and Rob’s friends and family for their constant love, support, and enthusiasm. "This wouldn't be possible without them. They’ve been my rock throughout this whole process."

Join the Journey

Now is the time to continue supporting Rob on this incredible journey. Head to www.roblea.shop to grab your copy of the album. Let’s show the world what independent music can do! Every CD purchase counts—let's push this album even further up the charts!