White Matte’s (the RIAA format from 1964-1975) are rare. Few were made, especially compared to the greater quantities of later formats. If they have gotten out (original owners have parted with them) they rarely trade in public. Some awards are never seen, or if they are, all to often they go with the collector story “I should have bought it when I saw it.” This Authentic, First Presentation, First-State, Black Sabbath Vol. 4, is such an award, I was lucky enough to buy it, and I’ve never seen another one…
Vol. 4 was Black Sabbath’s fourth straight gold album, released in September 1972, certified gold on 11/6/72, and reaching a peak billboard chart position of #13. As pioneers of heavy metal, the band helped define the genre, and were ranked by MTV as the “Greatest Metal Band” of all time, and placed second in VH1’s “100 Greatest Artists of Hard Rock” list. They have sold over 70 million records worldwide and were inducted into the UK Music Hall of Fame in 2005 and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2006.
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What part in music’s life have you played? If you received awards in the 60′s – 70′s – or 80′s, and would like to spotlight their pictures and stories, or find a new home for them, please contact me, Jim, at (818) 416-3770 or jim@honormusicawards.com
