RIAA

Honoring More Than 8 Million Copies Sold, of The Smashing Pumpkins “Mellon Collie And The Infinite Sadness”

Here you see an RIAA Certified, Authentic, First Presentation, First State RIAA R Hologram award for the 1995 Smashing Pumpkins album Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness…

Jane’s Addiction RIAA R Hologram – LP Cassette Sales Award

Jane’s Addiction was formed by Perry Farrell in 1985 and and became one of the first bands from the early 1990s alternative rock movement to gain both mainstream media attention and commercial success. “Ritual de lo habitual“ was the second studio album by Jane’s Addiction, released on August 21, 1990 and certified RIAA gold 11/30/1990. R Holograms […]

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Teddy – A Smooth And Soulful Voice Gone Too Soon

“Teddy” Pendergrass (March 26, 1950 – January 13, 2010) initially rose to musical fame as the lead singer of Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes. After leaving the group over monetary disputes in 1976, Pendergrass launched a successful solo career, releasing five consecutive platinum albums. … Teddy, his third album, was number 1 on the Billboard R&B […]

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Elton John 1973 #1 Album -“Don’t Shoot Me, I’m Only The Piano Player”

Elton John‘s album “Don’t Shoot Me I’m Only The Piano Player“ was released in January 1973, certified RIAA gold on 2/12/73, and became the second of seven #1 albums in a row. Containing the #1 singles “Crocodile Rock” and “Daniel“, here you see it honored with an Authentic, First Presentation, First-State, RIAA white matte… Over […]

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An RIAA Gold LP “Floater” For War!

Members of of the back-up band for Eric Burdon (an Animal) in the 60’s, became War in the 70’s. A powerhouse of hits and RIAA certifications. Here we honor their album, “Why Can’t We Be Friends” released in June 1975 and certified RIAA Gold on 7/25/75… I love to buy record awards : ). Please […]

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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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Barry White… and Love (Unlimited) In The 70’s!!

During the course of his career, Barry White achieved worldwide record sales in excess of 100 million records. His Debut Studio album I’ve Got So Much To Give was released on March 27, 1973 and Certified RIAA gold on November 6, 1973. It topped the R&B Album Charts, reached #16 on the Billboard 200, and […]

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Neil Diamond’s 1969 Single “Holly Holy” RIAA White Matte & 1970 Album “Touching You, Touching Me” RIAA White Matte

Neil Diamond was honored with dozens of awards, here you see two classics. From 1970 his first RIAA certified album, Touching Me Touching You, an Authentic, First Presentation, First-State, RIAA White Matte…  And From 1969, for his hit single Holly Holy, another Authentic, First Presentation, First-State, RIAA White Matte… ________________________________

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The Three Degrees “When Will I See You Again” – A 1974 Billboard Pop Chart #2 Single

Thumbnail image for The Three Degrees “When Will I See You Again” – A 1974 Billboard Pop Chart #2 Single

Here you see The Three Degrees honored with an Authentic, First Presentation, First-State, RIAA White Matte Single…Here’s the backstory of the accomplishment…

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Aerosmith’s 1989 LP “Pump” – Honored Here With A 4 X Platinum LP Award – RIAA R Hologram

Here’s the backstory of the accomplishment… “Pump” is the tenth studio album by Aerosmith, released on September 12, 1989.  It incorporates the use of keyboards and a horn section on many of the singles (“Love in an Elevator“, “The Other Side“), and contains straightforward rockers (“F.I.N.E.“, “Young Lust”), the ballad “What It Takes“, songs about issues such as […]

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“Grazing In The Grass” by Hugh Masekela reached #1 on Billboard on July 20th, 1968

Thumbnail image for “Grazing In The Grass” by Hugh Masekela reached #1 on Billboard on July 20th, 1968

Here you see it honored with an Authentic, First Presentation, First-State, RIAA Gold “White Matte” Single. The only RIAA format from 1964 to 1975… Here’s the backstory of the accomplishment… “Grazing in the Grass” is an instrumental composed by Philemon Hou and first recorded by the South African trumpeter Hugh Masekela. Released in the United […]

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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 […]

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Foo Fighters – Debut Album – “Foo Fighters” – An RIAA R Hologram Platinum LP/Cass/CD Award

Thumbnail image for Foo Fighters – Debut Album – “Foo Fighters” – An RIAA R Hologram Platinum LP/Cass/CD Award

Foo Fighters is the debut studio album by American rock band Foo Fighters, released on June 20, 1995. Dave Grohl wrote and recorded the entire album himself – with the exception of a guest guitar spot by Greg Dulli – with the assistance of producer Barrett Jones at Robert Lang Studios in Seattle, Washington, in 1994. Grohl said he recorded the album just for […]

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“The History Of Eric Clapton” – A 1972 RIAA Gold White Matte LP Award

Thumbnail image for “The History Of Eric Clapton” – A 1972 RIAA Gold White Matte LP Award

Eric Clapton is the only three-time inductee to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: once as a solo artist and separately as a member of the Yardbirds and of Cream. Clapton has been referred to as one of the most important and influential guitarists of all time. The History of Eric Clapton is a compilation double LP, released in April 1972 on Atco […]

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Britney Spears “…Baby One More Time” – 5 X Platinum RIAA Bar HologramCD Award

Britney Spears, in support of her upcoming debut album …Baby One More Time, embarked on a shopping mall promotional tour with a four-song set, accompanied by two back up dancers. Her first concert tour followed, as an opening act for NSYNC, and when the album was released on January 12, 1999 it debuted at #1, was certified RIAA […]

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Backstreet Boys! Boy Bands! Millions And Millions Of Copies Sold In The 90’s!

Thumbnail image for Backstreet Boys! Boy Bands! Millions And Millions Of Copies Sold In The 90’s!

The Backstreet Boys were a phenomenal success in the 1990’s…Their self-titled debut studio album Backstreet Boys became one of the biggest debut albums ever, and is honored here with an RIAA Bar Hologram for 8 million sold, a plateau it reached in the United States on 11/12/1998… _______________________________

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Helen Reddy’s 1973 LP “Long Hard Climb” – Honored With An RIAA Gold White Matte Award

Thumbnail image for Helen Reddy’s 1973 LP “Long Hard Climb” – Honored With An RIAA Gold White Matte Award

Helen Reddy enjoyed international success in the 1970’s. Her fourth studio album Long Hard Climb was released in the summer of 1973, and certified RIAA Gold on September 19, 1973. It contained her hit singles, Delta Dawn and Leave Me Alone (Ruby Red Dress) and is honored here with an Authentic, First Presentation, First-State, RIAA White Matte…The marks on the frame, […]

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DR. DRE’S 2001 – HONORED WITH AN RIAA BAR HOLOGRAM FOR 6X PLATINUM!

Thumbnail image for DR. DRE’S 2001 – HONORED WITH AN RIAA BAR HOLOGRAM FOR 6X PLATINUM!

Innovators. Dues Payers. Influencers. Get platinum records… Dr. Dre’s  2001 was released on November 16, 1999 and received critical and commercial success. Here you see it honored with a beautiful, Authentic, First Presentation (bar-hologram), First-State, RIAA award for 6 million sold… ___________________________

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Cool! This Sucks!

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Who knew there was a Beavis and Butt-Head RIAA platinum award? There was! For the Beavis and Butt-Head Experience, released in 1993, and here honored with an Authentic, First Presentation, First-State, RIAA R Hologram Award… Cool! This Sucks! ___________________ #! #riaa #mikejudge

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Iron Butterfly “In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida” – A Curious (One Of A Kind?) – Authentic, First Presentation, RIAA White Matte LP Award

Thumbnail image for Iron Butterfly “In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida” – A Curious (One Of A Kind?) – Authentic, First Presentation, RIAA White Matte LP Award

Iron Butterfly’s remarkable 1968 album “In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida” was recorded at Ultra-Sonic Recording Studios in Hempstead, Long Island (the story of its recording here), released in July, 1968. It was a musical and cultural phenomenon, became the first platinum album, has sold over 30 million copies, and certified RIAA Gold on 12/3/68. Here you see it honored […]

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Meat Loaf “Bat Out Of Hell II: Back Into Hell” – 4X Platinum – 1994 RIAA R Hologram CD Award

Thumbnail image for Meat Loaf “Bat Out Of Hell II: Back Into Hell” – 4X Platinum – 1994 RIAA R Hologram CD Award

The R Hologram format of RIAA awards (1989 – 1997) was a time when the strict formats of earlier periods loosened (see here). That led to the creation of some spectacular awards, like this one for Meat Loaf, Bat Out Of Hell II: Back Into Hell. Released in  September 1993, and certified 4X Platinum on […]

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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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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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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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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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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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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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