Luther Vandross “Power of Love” – A 1993 Double Platinum RIAA R Hologram Award

Thumbnail image for Luther Vandross “Power of Love” – A 1993 Double Platinum RIAA R Hologram Award

Power of Love is the seventh studio album (eighth overall) by singer-songwriter Luther Vandross, released in April 1991. The following year, the album earned Vandross two American Music Awards for “Favorite Soul/R&B Male Artist” and “Favorite Soul/R&B Album” and one Grammy Award for “Best R&B Vocal Performance, Male”, and the track “Power of Love/Love Power” won […]

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“Music From Big Pink” by The Band – An RIAA R Hologram Gold Record!

Thumbnail image for “Music From Big Pink” by The Band – An RIAA R Hologram Gold Record!

Music From Big Pink is the debut studio album by The Band. Released in 1968, it employs a distinctive blend of country, rock, folk, classical, R&B, and soul. The music was composed partly in “Big Pink”, a house shared by Rick Danko, Richard Manuel and Garth Hudson in West Saugerties, New York. The album itself […]

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Santana “Amigos” – A 1976 Certified BPI (British) LP Award

Thumbnail image for Santana “Amigos” – A 1976 Certified BPI (British) LP Award

Amigos is the seventh studio album from Santana. Released in the U. S. in March of 1976 and certified RIAA Gold on 6/11/76, it reached a peak Billboard chart position of #10.  In Europe it was a hit in several countries and here you see it honored with a Certified BPI (British) Silver Award… __________________

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Vanilla Fudge “Vanilla Fudge” – An RIAA White Matte For A Very Influential 1968 LP!

Thumbnail image for Vanilla Fudge “Vanilla Fudge” – An RIAA White Matte For A Very Influential 1968 LP!

Vanilla Fudge, the band, has been cited as “one of the few American links between psychedelia and what soon became heavy metal.”  The band is known to have influenced The Nice, Deep Purple, Yes, Styx, and Led Zeppelin. Vanilla Fudge, their first album, was released in the summer of 1967, and certified RIAA Gold on 7/23/68. […]

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Awards With Condition Issues – And How I’d Restore Them (…In Future Posts)

Thumbnail image for Awards With Condition Issues – And How I’d Restore Them (…In Future Posts)

There’s a group of awards I’ve left in disrepair. Out of site, out of mind, may be the best way to describe this cache of 15-20 awards. What they have in common – are condition issues… Caring for awards, especially if they’re going to be displayed, sold, or in danger of further deterioration, is something we all confront. […]

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The Beatles “Rubber Soul” – A Classic 1965 #1 Album – Honored With An Authentic RIAA White Matte!

Thumbnail image for The Beatles “Rubber Soul” – A Classic 1965 #1 Album – Honored With An Authentic RIAA White Matte!

An award collector told me there were two kinds of collectors. Those who care that awards are in their original authentic state, and believe they are more valuable that way. And those to whom an award’s original state is not important, but collect them because they honor the music they love, and their musical idols. For me, […]

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From NPR – A Piece Of Gold Record History – How ‘Chattanooga Choo Choo’ Became The World’s First Gold Record

Thumbnail image for From NPR – A Piece Of Gold Record History – How ‘Chattanooga Choo Choo’ Became The World’s First Gold Record

The music industry can thank Glenn Miller’s record label for the idea of gold records. Seventy-five years ago today (2/10/17), his song about a train trip became the world’s first solid-gold hit. “Chattanooga Choo Choo” is about a man going home, and promising his sweetheart he’ll never roam. By February 10, 1942, more than 1.2 […]

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Whitney Houston Was A Shooting Star – With A Trail Of Gold, Platinum, And Multi Platinum Awards!

Thumbnail image for Whitney Houston Was A Shooting Star – With A Trail Of Gold, Platinum, And Multi Platinum Awards!

In the 1980’s, the number of people who bought music increased dramatically, as did the number of music awards presented. Whitney Houston gives us a great example. Whitney was released in May of 1987 and simultaneously certified RIAA Gold, Platinum and 2X Platinum on 7/28/1987. It went on to sell more than twenty five million copies world […]

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Led Zepplin “Whole Lotta Love” – A 1970 Photo Of Their Only RIAA Gold 45 White Matte Presentation!

Thumbnail image for Led Zepplin “Whole Lotta Love” – A 1970 Photo Of Their Only RIAA Gold 45 White Matte Presentation!

While Led Zepplin had many RIAA certified White Matte LP Awards, they only received one RIAA certified White Matte single, Whole Lotta Love. Here’s a photo of it’s presentation to the group (and their manager Peter Grant on the left)… You’ll find more information on the award itself here in the Honor Music Awards collection. ____________________ Thinking […]

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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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What Is “Moontan”?

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“Moontan” is the ninth album by the Dutch rock band Golden Earring. It contains the hit single Radar Love and is the band’s most successful album in the United States, being the only Golden Earring album to be certified Gold by the RIAA (on September 20, 1974).  Here you see it honored with an Authentic, First Presentation, First-State, RIAA Gold LP […]

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Three Famously Rare RIAA Walnut Plaques – Awarded To Tennesee Ernie Ford

Thumbnail image for Three Famously Rare RIAA Walnut Plaques – Awarded To Tennesee Ernie Ford

In the late 50’s and early 60’s Tennessee Ernie Ford was a huge star. The song Sixteen Tons (video) was his biggest hit, and he had four albums certified by the RIAA as million sellers. Below you see three of them in their Authentic, First-Presentation state as Walnut Plaques, the rarely seen RIAA format from 1958-1964… Spirituals […]

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Here’s an RIAA Gold LP Floater for Santa Esmeralda “Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood”

Thumbnail image for Here’s an RIAA Gold LP Floater for Santa Esmeralda “Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood”

Santa Esmeralda, a U.S./French disco group released, the 1965 hit for The Animals, Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood, in October of 1977. Their version was certified RIAA gold on 6/8/78 and peaked at #25, becoming their only RIAA certified album. Here you see it honored with an Authentic, First Presentation, First-State RIAA Gold Floater Award… The fingerprints […]

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If You Collect RIAA Awards From The 60’s, 70’s and 80’s – There’s A Book You Must Have!

Thumbnail image for If You Collect RIAA Awards From The 60’s, 70’s and 80’s – There’s A Book You Must Have!

“From Gene Autry to Zapp, Rick Astley to Zager & Evans, Anthrax to the Zombies (The Billboard Book of Gold and Platinum Records by Adam White contains) 1,000-plus recording artists whose music has been certified gold, platinum, and multi-platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) between March 1958 and August 1989.” If you […]

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Kiss “Double Platinum” – 1978 – RIAA Platinum Floater

Thumbnail image for Kiss “Double Platinum” – 1978 – RIAA Platinum Floater

The first Kiss compilation album, Double Platinum, was released on April 2, 1978. Six weeks later it became RIAA Gold and Platinum simultaneously on 5/16/78. This double album included many remixed versions of their hits, as well as “Strutter ’78”, a re-recorded version of a song from the group’s first album.  Here you see it honored with […]

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The Hollies – Influenced By Swamp Rock (CCR) – Earned Their First RIAA White Matte In 1972

Thumbnail image for The Hollies – Influenced By Swamp Rock (CCR) – Earned Their First RIAA White Matte In 1972

After many great songs, different line-ups, and with a nod to the rhythms of Creedence Clearwater Revival,  The Hollies released “Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress” in May of 1972. It was certified RIAA gold on 9/11/72 and reached #2 on the Billboard Hot 100. Here you see it honored with an Authentic, First Presentation, […]

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The “Pioneering Godfathers Of The Jam Band” – Received 4 RIAA LP White Mattes

Thumbnail image for The “Pioneering Godfathers Of The Jam Band” – Received 4 RIAA LP White Mattes

The Early 70’s were heady days for the Grateful Dead. Their concerts made them the “pioneering godfathers of the jam band” – Wikipedia, and their albums were certified RIAA gold. Here they are (with record executive Joe Smith) honored with one of their four RIAA White Matte LP’s… _________________ To share all things awards, please contact me […]

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Black Eyed Peas – Mariah Carey – Staind – Bon Jovi – All Sold Millions As The “Gold Record” Era Came To An End

Thumbnail image for Black Eyed Peas – Mariah Carey – Staind – Bon Jovi – All Sold Millions As The “Gold Record” Era Came To An End

Sales success in music went from “Gold Records” that were simply framed gold discs, to RIAA Multi-Platinum and Worldwide Multi-Platinum awards. The significance of awards hasn’t changed but the awards of the past have become increasingly rare, and led to new standards of success in multiple formats (and now streamed, shared and downloaded). Here are some examples […]

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Restoring A Classic 1968 RIAA LP White Matte – And A Chance To Look Inside

Thumbnail image for Restoring A Classic 1968 RIAA LP White Matte – And A Chance To Look Inside

Q. Who are Rod McKuen, Anita Kerr and Joe Smith? And what do they have in common (besides you don’t know who they are)? A. Rod McKuen was one of the best-selling poets in the United States during the late 60’s. Anita Kerr is an American singer, arranger, composer, conductor, pianist, and music producer. And Joe Smith is […]

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Hi KISS Fans! – Here’s A Rare RIAA Bar Hologram For The 2005 DVD “Kiss: Rock The Nation Live”!

Thumbnail image for Hi KISS Fans! – Here’s A Rare RIAA Bar Hologram For The 2005 DVD “Kiss: Rock The Nation Live”!

A KISS show in July 2004, turned into KISS: Rock The Nation Live!, a DVD notable for the addition of “Kiss Power Vision”, which enables the viewer to select different camera angles, each focusing on a different member of the band. The DVD was released on December 13, 2005, and certified by the RIAA for multi-platinum DVD sales of 200,000. Here […]

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Donna Summer “MacArthur Park” – 1978 #1 Single – RIAA Gold 45 Floater Award

Thumbnail image for Donna Summer “MacArthur Park” – 1978 #1 Single – RIAA Gold 45 Floater Award

Released in September 1978, certified RIAA gold on 10/26/78, MacArthur Park became Donna Summer’s first #1 RIAA gold 45. The song, written and composed by Jimmy Webb, was first recorded by Richard Harris in 1968, his version peaked at #2 (see an In House award honoring that achievement). Here you see it honored with an Authentic, First Presentation, First-State, RIAA […]

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R. Kelly “R.” – A Big – Bold – Beautiful – Bar Hologram – RIAA Award For Five Million Sold

Thumbnail image for R. Kelly “R.” – A Big – Bold – Beautiful – Bar Hologram – RIAA Award For Five Million Sold

R. Kelly released R. on November 10, 1998 and according to Wikipedia, this album was the first time Kelly allowed other record producers to produce or co-produce on his album, as opposed to producing the entire album himself, as well as his first time collaborating with various artists on his album. The result was a huge […]

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Michael Jackson “Thriller” – 3X Platinum – RIAA Strip-Plate Award

Thumbnail image for Michael Jackson “Thriller” – 3X Platinum – RIAA Strip-Plate Award

Thriller was Michael Jackson’s masterpiece. Released in November 1982 and certified RIAA Gold and Platinum on 1/31/83, it sold over 30,000,000 copies in the United States alone. Seven singles were released, all of which reached the top 10 on Billboard. The videos for “Thriller“, “Billie Jean” and “Beat It” all received regular rotation on MTV and the album […]

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Paul Anka “(You’re) Having My Baby” – 1974 #1 Song – RIAA Gold White Matte Award

Thumbnail image for Paul Anka “(You’re) Having My Baby” – 1974 #1 Song – RIAA Gold White Matte Award

(You’re) Having My Baby, by prolific songwriter and performer Paul Anka, was released in June of 1974, certified RIAA Gold on 8/14/74, and reached #1 on Billboard (becoming his third #1 song). Here you see it honored with an Authentic, First Presentation, First-State RIAA White Matte Gold Single (wrapped in a 2 mil polyethylene bag for protection in storage)… Have […]

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Elvis!!! A Gold Record Collectible That Isn’t Exactly A Gold Record!

Thumbnail image for Elvis!!! A Gold Record Collectible That Isn’t Exactly A Gold Record!

Elvis Presley of course has been honored around the world with hundreds of gold and platinum records. But did you know that one of his awards was the subject of a trading card?  Specifically, The Elvis Collection #656, a 1972 RIAA White Matte for Elvis As Recorded AT Madison Square Garden. With a picture on the front […]

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The Beach Boys: An RIAA White Matte Signaled The Start Of An Amazing Career … An RIAA R Hologram Summarized It!!

Thumbnail image for The Beach Boys: An RIAA White Matte Signaled The Start Of An Amazing Career … An RIAA R Hologram Summarized It!!

The Beach Boys need no introduction, but they had one, with the release of 12 songs on their second album Surfin’ U.S.A. in April 1963. It became their first certified RIAA gold album on November 15, 1965 and reached a peak Billboard chart position of #2.  Here you see it honored with an Authentic, First Presentation, First-State RIAA […]

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You Like “Soft Soul” From The Early 70’s …?

Thumbnail image for You Like “Soft Soul” From The Early 70’s …?

… Here’s a classic by the Five Stairsteps, made up of five siblings from Chicago who became known as “The First Family of Soul” (a name later passed on to The Jackson 5).  They were best known for their hit single O-o-h Child (video) which was released in February 1970, Certified RIAA gold on 8/11/70, and reached a peak Billboard Hot […]

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A long long time ago in this very galaxy STAR WARS AWARDS became scattered… desperate to bring them together one collector began collecting…

Alert all commands! Put away your light sabers (for a moment)! Honor Music Awards is happy to feature the epic Star Wars awards collection assembled by Gus Lopez. May the Force be with you in your viewing!  http://www.theswca.com/images-misc/award-chart.html   PS  If you have awards you’d like to share (or awards you’d like to sell), please […]

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Heart “Brigade” – A 1990 Japanese Award In Reconition Of Excellent Sales

Thumbnail image for Heart “Brigade” – A 1990 Japanese Award In Reconition Of Excellent Sales

Brigade, the tenth studio album by Heart was released in 1990, after a three-year gap between albums. It featured the single “All I Want To Do Is Make Love To You” which reached #2 on the Billboard Hot 100. The album reached #3 on Billboard and #6 on the Japanese Album Charts. Here it is honored with an RIAJ […]

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So Sad … A Brilliant Talent Gone To Soon – A Body Of Work That Will Live Forever

Thumbnail image for So Sad … A Brilliant Talent Gone To Soon – A Body Of Work That Will Live Forever

I was shocked, as I imagine you were, by the death of Prince. An amazing guitarist, singer, songwriter, performer, and collaborator. His artistic vision and exploration will be sorely missed. Here we honor him, so sad to say posthumously, by sharing his first RIAA certified gold LP. Released in October 1979, and certified gold on […]

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