IN-HOUSE

My wife Patty didn’t remember Norman Greenbaum, and I imagine most of you don’t either. As soon as I shared his hit, she remembered! If your curious, let’s go back to 1970 and the song that kind of, for a moment, made him famous Video

…Norman Greenbaum is best known for writing and performing the 1969 song “Spirit in the Sky“. It was certified gold by the RIAA on 4/23/70 and honored here with a classic Disc Award Ltd. In-House gold 45…

Label and center cap have fallen off, but otherwise it’s in perfect condition.

The song, with its combination of ‘heavy’ guitar, hand-clapping, and spiritual lyrics, was released by Reprise Records in 1969. It sold two million copies in 1969 and 1970, and has subsequently been used in many films, advertisements, and television shows.

Although “Spirit in the Sky” has a clear Christian theme, Greenbaum was and remains an observant Jew. Greenbaum says he was inspired to write the song after watching country singers singing a song on television. In an interview Greenbaum stated that western movies were the real inspiration for “Spirit in the Sky”:

Norman Greenbaum: If you ask me what I based “Spirit In The Sky” on … what did we grow up watching? Westerns! These mean and nasty varmints get shot and they wanted to die with their boots on. So to me that was spiritual, they wanted to die with their boots on.

Ray Shasho: So that was the trigger that got you to write the song?

Norman Greenbaum: Yes. The song itself was simple, when you’re writing a song you keep it simple of course. It wasn’t like a Christian song of praise it was just a simple song. I had to use Christianity because I had to use something. But more important it wasn’t the Jesus part, it was the spirit in the sky. Funny enough … I wanted to die with my boots on.

Though Greenbaum is generally regarded as a one-hit wonder, several of his records placed prominently in the charts, including “Canned Ham” in 1970, which reached number 46 on the Billboard pop chart. In 1966, as the leader and composer of Dr. West’s Medicine Show and Junk Band, he recorded the novelty hit “The Eggplant That Ate Chicago”.

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Gladys Knight & Pips “Imagination” – One Gold (RIAA) Award & One Platinum In-House Award

Gladys Knight & The Pips released “Imagination” in October 1973. It became their first RIAA Gold LP, and included their first and only Billboard Hot 100 number-one hit “Midnight Train to Georgia” *.  Here you see it honored with two awards… One, an Authentic, First Presentation, First-State, RIAA Gold “White Matte” (the RIAA format from 1964 to […]

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“We Got The Beat” #2 – “Mr. Roboto” #3 – “Don’t You Want Me” #1 – Huge Hit Singles From The Early 80’s!

It’s likely that when you read these classic 80’s song titles, their hooks popped into your head. That’s the kind of power these songs have, and they’ve been honored for that in many ways. Here you see them individually honored with Authentic, In-House singles, from RIAA authorized manufacturer, DeeJay Products. “We’ve Got The Beat” by […]

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“HANG ON SLOOPY” By The McCoys, Reached #1 On Billboard October 2, 1965

Thumbnail image for “HANG ON SLOOPY” By The McCoys, Reached #1 On Billboard October 2, 1965

Here you see it honored with an Authentic, Disc Award Ltd., In-House Gold Record. A classic award format of the period… Here’s the backstory of the accomplishment (from Wikipedia)…

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Donny Osmond “To You With Love, Donny” – A Classic In-House Disc Award Ltd. Gold LP

Thumbnail image for Donny Osmond “To You With Love, Donny” – A Classic In-House Disc Award Ltd. Gold LP

Donny Osmond released his second studio album “To You With Love, Donnie” in October 1971. The first single release “Go Away Little Girl” reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. The Album was certified RIAA Gold on 1/26/72. Here it’s honored with a classic In-House Gold Record from Disc Awards Ltd., a pre-eminent award manufacturer during the […]

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Bruce Springsteen “Born In The USA” – A Multi-Platinum Album – Was Also CBS Records 1st CD!

Thumbnail image for Bruce Springsteen “Born In The USA”  – A Multi-Platinum Album – Was Also CBS Records 1st CD!

In June of 1984, Bruce Springsteen released his seventh album, Born In The USA. It was certified RIAA gold on 8/7/84 and went on to sell millions of copies. But this In-House award is not to honor its music, rather it honors its illustrious position as CBS Records first CD (…and the first CD manufactured in the United States!)… ________________________________

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A Disc Award Ltd., Gold LP – Honoring Judy Collins 1967 Album “Wildflowers”

Thumbnail image for A Disc Award Ltd., Gold LP – Honoring Judy Collins 1967 Album “Wildflowers”

Wildflowers, the 1967 album by Judy Collins, and its lead single Both Sides Now, written by Joni Mitchell, launched Collins’ international prominence. It was honored with RIAA Gold, and here with the most collectible of In-House awards from Los Angeles manufacturer, Disc Awards Ltd… ____________________________________

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The Doors 1st Album Is A Classic! Here Honored With Another Classic – From Disc Awards Ltd.

Thumbnail image for The Doors 1st Album Is A Classic! Here Honored With Another Classic – From Disc Awards Ltd.

Disc Award Ltd., manufactured gold and platinum record awards in Los Angeles from the late 50’s to the late 70’s. They were the most prolific, consistent, and valuable of all In-House awards (non RIAA). I’ve always thought with their simple square format, black frame, and wooden backs they were the classics of record awards. The Doors self-titled first […]

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Q. What Do Joe Cocker, Norman Greenbaum, & Daddy Dewdrop Have In Common?

Thumbnail image for Q. What Do Joe Cocker, Norman Greenbaum, & Daddy Dewdrop Have In Common?

A. Disc Awards Ltd. Awards. The 1960’s through the 1980’s were magical times for the music business, and Discs Awards Ltd. in Los Angeles, became a go to In-House gold and platinum awards manufacturer. Their consistent, high-quality, beautiful style, became the workhorse for labels, artists, and management alike, because they allowed customized plate inscriptions, and could […]

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Wham! And “Make It Big” – 8,000,000 And Growing! (August 1985)

Thumbnail image for Wham! And “Make It Big” – 8,000,000 And Growing! (August 1985)

There was a time, the 80’s to be exact, when Wham! was the biggest pop group in the world. With over 25,000,000 albums sold internationally they topped the charts and made it through a variety of challenges and changes. This large 27 X 23 In-House award, while technically not a record award, celebrates that incredible success, and […]

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Cars “Candy-O” – New Wave, Skinny Ties, Hot Girls, Quirky Nerds Become Super Stars!

Thumbnail image for Cars “Candy-O” – New Wave, Skinny Ties, Hot Girls, Quirky Nerds Become Super Stars!

The Cars second album, Candy-O, was released in June 1979. Containing their first Top 20 single, Let’s Go and featuring an album cover created by the famed Playboy artist Alberto Vargas. The album reached No. 3 on Billboard and was certified RIAA Gold on 7/24/79. Here it’s honored with an In-House Platinum LP…

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Lou Rawls “You’ll Never Find Another Love Like Mine” Gold In-House 45

Thumbnail image for Lou Rawls “You’ll Never Find Another Love Like Mine” Gold In-House 45

Lou Rawls, after decades signing with the likes of Curtis Mayfield and Sam Cooke, had his most successful single in 1976, “You’ll Never Find Another Love Like Mine“. Certified RIAA Gold on 8/1/76, and becoming Rawls’ only certified million-selling single, it topped the R&B and Adult Contemporary charts, and went to #2 on the Billboard Pop […]

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Bread “Manna” – 1972 Gold Album – In-House Disc Award Ltd. Award

Thumbnail image for Bread “Manna” – 1972 Gold Album – In-House Disc Award Ltd. Award

Studio musicians Robb Royer, James Griffin, and David Gates, formed Bread in 1969 to begin recording their original compositions. Their unique brand of soft rock generated numerous hit singles and albums, including 13 songs on the Billboard Hot 100 between 1970 and 1977. In March 1971 they released their third album Manna which went gold and […]

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Righteous Brothers “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin'” Disc Award Ltd. In-House 45 Award & “Soul And Inspiration” RIAA 45 White Matte (w/condition issue & discussion)

Thumbnail image for Righteous Brothers “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin'” Disc Award Ltd. In-House 45 Award & “Soul And Inspiration” RIAA 45 White Matte (w/condition issue & discussion)

The Righteous Brothers were the musical duo of Bill Medley and Bobby Hatfield. They had their biggest success in the mid sixties and continued to perform until Hatfield’s death in 2003, with their sound coming to be know as “blue eyed soul.” Here we spotlight two of their biggest hits, and two different formats of […]

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Collections: Ohio Players, Eddie Kendicks, B. T. Express, The Crusaders, Johnnie Taylor

Describing individual awards and sharing their stories is something we like to do at Honor Music Awards. Today we’re going to do something different–and spotlight a collection. Collectors from around the world focus on artists and/or periods and/or types of music (the Honor Music Awards collection focuses on the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s). These awards […]

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Iron Butterfly – 3 Awards For “In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida” – An RIAA White Matte – An In-House Platinum Award (the first) – A 4X Platinum RIAA R Hologram

Thumbnail image for Iron Butterfly – 3 Awards For “In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida” – An RIAA White Matte – An In-House Platinum Award (the first) – A 4X Platinum RIAA R Hologram

If you received awards in the 60′s – 70′s – or 80′s, congratulations!  If you would like to spotlight and share their stories with other collectors (free), or maybe a few of them have wound up in the closet or garage and you’ve thought about selling them, please contact me at (818) 416-3770 or jim@honormusicawards.com. […]

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Ventures “Walk Don’t Run” – 1960 #2 Single – The Earliest Disc Award Ltd. Format I’ve Ever Seen

Thumbnail image for Ventures “Walk Don’t Run” – 1960 #2 Single – The Earliest Disc Award Ltd. Format I’ve Ever Seen

The Ventures are the best-selling instrumental band of all time, and this Disc Award Ltd. In -House gold record celebrates their first hit Walk Don’t Run. Released in 1960, it rose to #2 on the Billboard charts. If you haven’t heard it, or you want to hear it again, check out this classic early video […]

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Phil Collins “…But Seriously” – 1990 #1 Album – In House Award – 6 Million Sold

Thumbnail image for Phil Collins “…But Seriously” – 1990 #1 Album – In House Award – 6 Million Sold

Weighing over five pounds, this simulated marble award for …But Seriously by Phil Collins is inscribed with the names of all the album cuts. It’s a unique In-House award, presented by WEA Europe, to celebrate the enormous sales of 6 million units in Continental Europe…

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Fleetwood Mac “Rumours” … RIAA Floater Vs. In House Floater

Thumbnail image for Fleetwood Mac “Rumours” … RIAA Floater Vs. In House Floater

RIAA and In House awards are both collectible, with RIAA awards considered more valuable. But other than the RIAA logo, they can look very similar. For example… Here’s an In House Fleetwood Mac Rumours Platinum Floater (1977)…Here’s an RIAA Fleetwood Mac Rumours Platinum Floater (1977)…Here’s the In House presentation plate… Here’s the RIAA presentation plate…

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Carole King “Tapestry” – 1971 #1 Album – Gold In-House (Disc Award Ltd.) Record Award

Thumbnail image for Carole King “Tapestry” – 1971 #1 Album – Gold In-House (Disc Award Ltd.) Record Award

Singer songwriters ruled the early 70’s, and Carole King was one of the best. Her most celebrated and successful album, “Tapestry”, was released in March of 1971, certified gold by the RIAA on June 7, 1971, and reached #1 on charts around the world. If it were an RIAA celebration it would be a White […]

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Michael Jackson “Thriller” 1983 In House Platinum LP Record Award

Thumbnail image for Michael Jackson “Thriller” 1983 In House Platinum LP Record Award

This is a Michael Jackson In House award for Thriller. In House awards are all those awards that are authentic, but not RIAA awards. Thriller was the high point of Micheal’s phenomenal career and generated a vast variety of record awards–celebrating the multiple hit singles and multiple millions in album sales. There are RIAA awards, […]

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Diamonds Awards Festival Antwerp 1986 In House Gold & Diamond Record Award

Thumbnail image for Diamonds Awards Festival  Antwerp 1986 In House Gold & Diamond Record Award

Most record awards, even the most valuable, have little intrinsic value. Value, to collectors, is bestowed by presentation and  rarity. This award from the 1986 Diamond Awards Festival in Antwerp (the diamond capital of the world) is the exception.Small, perfectly cut, real diamonds are inserted around the disc, which size wise, is a bit larger […]

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Fleetwod Mac “Rumours” 1977 Platinum LP In-House Record Award

Thumbnail image for Fleetwod Mac “Rumours” 1977 Platinum LP In-House Record Award

Rumours, released in February 1977, laid bare the emotional turmoil of the members of Fleetwood Mac—and became there biggest selling album.  It was certified RIAA gold on 2/15/77, platinum on 3/7/77, and reached a peak chart position of #1. In all respects, but one, this looks like a Floater, the correct RIAA format for the […]

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Grassroots “Midnight Confession” 1968 Gold 45 In-House Dics Award Ltd. Record Award

Thumbnail image for Grassroots “Midnight Confession” 1968 Gold 45 In-House Dics Award Ltd. Record Award

The Grassroots—the brainchild of P. F. Sloan and Steve Barri. “Midnight Confession”—their biggest United States hit, peaking at #5. Here celebrated with a Disc Award Ltd.—gold 45. Presented to Hal Blaine (Wrecking Crew)—from Steve Barri (Songwriter, Producer)._______________________ See more in the Awards Gallery to the right—and new each week in Award Stories by Email.

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Beatles “Please Please Me” 1964 Gold 45 In-House Disc Award Ltd. Record Award

Thumbnail image for Beatles “Please Please Me” 1964 Gold 45 In-House Disc Award Ltd. Record Award

Gold for The Beatles on Vee-Jay!On August 23, 1964, Vee-Jay president Randy Wood presented the Beatles with gold records for five Vee-Jay releases. One of them was “Please Please Me,” shown here celebrated as an In-House award from Disc Awards Ltd. Click on the article below for the full story…For those of you familiar with […]

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Multi Album – Label Presentations – In House Awards

Thumbnail image for Multi Album – Label Presentations – In House Awards

Welcome to Honor Music Awards. Here you’ll find in-depth information and photos on the wide variety of record awards presented over the last fifty years. If you have received or collect awards, please share your knowledge by commenting, and receive regular weekly updates by signing up for our emails. ________________________________ Between the glitz and glamor […]

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New Seekers “I’d Like To Teach The World To Sing” 1972 Gold 45 Disc Award Ltd., In House Record Award

Thumbnail image for New Seekers “I’d Like To Teach The World To Sing” 1972 Gold 45 Disc Award Ltd., In House Record Award

Gold and platinum awards have become vivid symbols of music’s success.  Honor Music is about the hobby of collecting them. ______________________ The Coke jingle that became a #1 record. I’d like to teach the world to sing (video) Towards the end of 1971, the New Seekers recorded an adaptation of the Coca-Cola jingle, “I’d Like […]

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Foo Fighters “Learn To Fly” 2002 Billboard Number One Ad and Chart Award

Thumbnail image for Foo Fighters “Learn To Fly” 2002 Billboard Number One Ad and Chart Award

Gold and platinum awards have become vivid symbols of music’s success, worldwide.  Honor Music is about celebrating their history and presentation, for those who have received and collect them. _______________________ OK, technically this is not a record award (doesn’t contain 45, LP, CD or presentation plate). But it is pretty cool, and ties into other […]

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Linda Ronstadt “Long Long Time” 1970 Silver In-House 45 Record Award

Thumbnail image for Linda Ronstadt “Long Long Time” 1970 Silver In-House 45 Record Award

 The hit before international stardom. “Long Long Time” (video)  Linda Ronstadt’s second solo album, Silk Purse, was released in March 1970. It provided her with her first solo hit, “Long Long Time“, and earned her her first Grammy nomination (for Best Contemporary Vocal Performance/Female).  Neither the album or single were certified by the RIAA, and […]

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Cat Stevens “Mona Bone Jakon” 1973 Gold LP “Disc Award Ltd.” Record Award

Thumbnail image for Cat Stevens “Mona Bone Jakon” 1973 Gold LP “Disc Award Ltd.” Record Award

 Cat Stevens first A&M Records album “Mona Bone Jakon” was released in July of 1970. This Disc Award Ltd. gold LP was presented in 1973, well before the album was finally certified RIAA gold in 1976. Disc Award Ltd. was the preeminent “in-house” award manufacturer of the period (the RIAA format when it was authorized […]

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