AA Photos & Info

RIAA Gold & Platinum Awards Turns 60! – History & Highlights From 1958 -2018!

The Gold and Platinum Awards we collect, celebrate the music, artists, and people who created the modern music business. And now thanks to the RIAA, we can see a history lesson and tribute to 60 years of their certified RIAA Awards…

A Gallery from the vinyl Era (Walnut Plaques, White Mattes, Floaters)

A Gallery from the Cassette Era (Floaters, Strip-Plates, Flower Holograms)

A Gallery from the CD Era (R Holograms, Bar Holograms)

A Gallery from the Digital Era (Bar Holograms)

Here’s the overview with highlights on an interactive timeline on the RIAA website.

Have Fun,
Jim

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

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

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

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

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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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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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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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A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words – Or In This Case A Few: Authentic, RIAA Certified, White Matte, First Presentation, First-State

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Steely Dan pose for a portrait at the gold record presentation for their debut album Can’t Buy A Thrill at ABC Records in 1973 in Los Angeles, California. Jeff ‘Skunk’ Baxter, Denny Dias, Jim Hodder, Walter Becker and Donald Fagen… Credit: Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images

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AWARD VIEWING OPPORTUNITY!! The Ringo Starr Auction At Juliene’s

Through this Saturday December 5th there is a rare opportunity to see record awards with perfect lineage – from Ringo Starr! Maybe even bid on a few. Julien’s auction of his career mementos can be seen here… http://www.juliensauctions.com/images/auctions/2015/ringo-starr-barbara-bach/flipbook-starr/icatalog.html Search for record awards, and as you scroll the results you’ll see Ringo’s personal awards from around the […]

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Rare. Milestone. First Artist To. Surpass RIAA’s 100 Million Mark! Congratulations to Rihanna!

FYI and consideration… Until 1975 an artist received a certified RIAA Gold Award — there were no Platinum RIAA Awards — for one million dollars worth of LP sales, or one million copies of a 45 single. My how that has changed… The RIAA recently announced that musical artist Rihanna has surpassed over 100 million […]

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Where Have All The LP’s Gone?

Where have all the LP’s gone? Apparently to Brazil. I came across this article in the New York Times about a Brazilian bus magnate who’s buying up all the world’s vinyl records. As most awards collectors also have LP collections, I thought you might be interested. I also thought about the tiny, tiny, tiny percentage […]

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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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Petula Clark – Famous Artist – Unknown Award

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Over a year ago a friend of mine, Bryan Thomas, sent me this photo. No back story. No information on presentation. No reference to nationality of award. No identification of the song it celebrated. Without that type of information that usually accompanies an award post, it didn’t get posted. Until now. The only thing for […]

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Wishing You A Very Golden Christmas…

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The Art Of Packing – For Shipping Awards

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Collecting record awards inevitably leads to shipping and receiving them, and these days that can mean across the United Sates, Canada, Europe and even to Japan. The danger of course, is that once they are shipped, unintended bumps, or neglect anywhere on their journey, can cause damage. The art of packing – for shipping awards, is to […]

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RIAA Adds Digital Streams To Historic Gold & Platinum Awards Program

This year the RIAA officially included streams and downloads in the Gold and Platinum Awards Program. “On-demand audio and/or video song streams will now be counted towards the 500,000 (Gold), 1,000,000 (Platinum) and 2,000,000 plus (Multi-Platinum) thresholds required for G&P’s Digital Single Award certification.” They become the latest contributors to the creation of certified RIAA […]

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Sandy Denny and Keith Moon Photo With RIAA White Matte Award

Thumbnail image for Sandy Denny and Keith Moon Photo With RIAA White Matte Award

Two supremely talented artists, one rock, one folk, bought together by the RIAA Gold White Matte in this picture. What they talked about, and the reason they came together, is lost in time. And coincidentally both were lost to music, when they died within months of each other in 1978… Sandy Denny Kieth Moon

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August 10, 2013 Heritage Auctions Entertainment & Music Memorabilia — Offering An Amazing Collection of White Mattes

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UPDATE: At the close of this auction, 49 of the 73 White Mattes offered were sold. To see the results log in to the Heritage Auction website ha.com, click on past auction archives, search for gold records, and view sold items. To see the results you need to be signed in (free).

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36 Things Vinyl Collectors Love – For Those With A Place In Their Hearts For Vinyl

I’m guessing that you Gold Record collectors, have a place in your heart for vinyl. Take a look at this, and see if it doesn’t pull some heart strings… 36 Things Vinyl Collectors Love (Face it, you don’t get any of this with Spotify)

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WIN: The Billboard Book Of Gold And Platinum Records

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Note: This contest is over and the winner chosen, but you can probably find a copy of the book on eBay or Amazon. ____________________________________________ If you collect RIAA record awards, “The Billboard Book Of Gold And Platinum Records” by Adam White is a valuable resource. In 308 pages, ALL the gold and platinum certifications from […]

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GLOSSARY: The Language Of Gold Record Awards

You won’t find these definitions in Webster’s. Refining the definitions and terms of record award collecting is something Honor Music Awards has been doing in our Glossary. Over the past few months there have been some updates which I wanted to share. Please contact me with your thoughts and ideas on this language of record […]

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Question & Answer — Types of RIAA Presentations?

Q. I have an RIAA award for an album that went platinum in 1977. Technically it should be in the “floater” format, but it is in the “R” hologram format. Is that unusual? Thanks, Phil A. Not unusual. When you are talking about formats of RIAA awards, there is a progression, over the years , of […]

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

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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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Aretha Franklin & Jerry Wexler RIAA Gold 45 White Matte Presentation

Thumbnail image for Aretha Franklin & Jerry Wexler RIAA Gold 45 White Matte Presentation

A story of collaboration between two brilliantly talented people. Aretha Franklin is a giant of American music, admiringly known as the Queen of Soul. In late 1966, Franklin signed to Atlantic Records, where she began recording a string of popular hits including “I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You)”, “(You Make Me […]

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Johnny Carson & Billy Vera “By Request” RIAA Award Presentation

Thumbnail image for Johnny Carson & Billy Vera “By Request” RIAA Award Presentation

Awards presentations are special celebrations that bring talented people together. Billy Vera (and the Beaters) “By Request” was released in August 1986, certified gold on 3/24/87 and reached a peak Billboard chart position of #15. The Flower Hologram you see above was the correct RIAA format from 1985 to 1989. Johnny Carson was a television host […]

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John Lennon & Al Coury “Walls & Bridges” Awards Presentation

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Awards presentations are special celebrations that bring talented people together. Here, for Walls and Bridges gold, are John Lennon (famously talented) and Al Coury, a 1970s vice-president of Capitol Records who helped develop the careers of The Beatles, Nat King Cole, The Beach Boys, Pink Floyd, Glen Campbell, Bob Seger and Linda Ronstadt. ___________________________

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A Comical Video Look At 1951 Record Store Dealers – And A Serious Look At How Records Were Made

This is a cute and interesting thirty minute video of the early (1950’s) record business. The first twenty minutes is Mel Blanc, a famous voice actor and comedian, guiding us on a comical journey of how records were sold and recorded (cameos by Dean Martin and Les Paul and Mary Ford). The last ten minutes […]

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Led Zeppelin – A Most Unique Record Award Presentation!! – Circa 1970

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Possible captions: Whole Lotta Love All My Love Hot Dog Celebration Day Hey Hey What Could I do Dazed and Confused Your Time Is Gonna Come How would you caption? ______________________________ Receive collector news and award stories by Email Submit pictures of your awards for spotlighting Join Honor Music Awards on Facebook

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Creative Glassics, The 2nd RIAA Awards Manufacturer – Beginning With “Floaters” in 1975

Thumbnail image for Creative Glassics, The 2nd RIAA Awards Manufacturer – Beginning With “Floaters” in 1975

Over two decades thousands of RIAA and In-House record awards, that hung on walls around the United States, came from Creative Glassics in New Jersey. Dan Chusid worked there for two years and shares with us his memories, pictures, and a Bruce Springsteen In-House award he made. Thanks Dan, for this unique insight. Creative Glassics […]

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