White Matte (RIAA Award Format From 1964 -1975)

One Hundred (100) Proof ” Somebody’s Been Sleeping” 1970 Gold RIAA 45 White Matte Record Award

Thumbnail image for One Hundred (100) Proof ” Somebody’s Been Sleeping” 1970 Gold RIAA 45 White Matte Record Award

One hit wonders, groups that received only one RIAA award, are of particular interest to some award collectors. 100 proof is such a group. “Somebody’s Been Sleeping” (listen here) was released in July 1970, certified RIAA gold in November 14, 1970, and reached a peak Billboard chart position of #8. Do you remember the song? […]

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Chicago “VII” 1974 RIAA Gold White Matte Record Award – Third-State

Thumbnail image for Chicago “VII” 1974 RIAA Gold White Matte Record Award – Third-State

Chicago VII was released in march 1974, certified gold March 18, 1974, and reached a peak Billboard chart position of #1 ( the group’s third of five #1 albums). This RIAA White Matte celebrates its success… This authentic award is presented to Laudir de Oliveira, a Brazilian percussionist who started working with the band as […]

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Who “Meaty, Beaty Big and Bouncy” 1972 Gold RIAA White Matte Record Award

The story of the plate… Anchoring the lower right section of all white mattes (except from approximately February 1969 to August 1969, when the mini was reversed to the right), the plate was made of brass with a surface either shiny or brushed. In 1973 it was a brushed plate like the one you see […]

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Led Zepplin ” Houses Of The Holy” 1973 Gold RIAA White Matte Record Award

Led Zeppelin’s “Houses Of The Holy” was released on March 28th, 1973 and quickly certified gold by the RIAA on April 10, 1973. It reach #1 on the Billboard charts. “It is the first Led Zeppelin album composed of entirely original material, and represents a musical turning point for the band, who had begun to […]

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Big Brother and the Holding Company (Janis Joplin) “Cheap Thrills” 1968 RIAA Gold White Matte Record Award

Thumbnail image for Big Brother and the Holding Company (Janis Joplin) “Cheap Thrills” 1968 RIAA Gold White Matte Record Award

Cheap Thrills was released in August 1968, certified RIAA gold on October 15, 1968, and is considered one of the masterpieces of the psychedelic sound of San Francisco. Big Brother and the Holding Company was immediately eclipsed by their lead singer, and from then on superstar, Janis Joplin. Columbia Records became a rock powerhouse primarily because […]

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Beatles “Yesterday … And Today” 1966 Gold RIAA LP White Matte Record Award

Yesterday and Today is the ninth Capitol album by the Beatles and the eleventh overall American release. It is remembered primarily for the controversy surrounding its original cover image, the “butcher cover”, seen here in an un-cropped photo by photographer Robert Whitaker. The “butcher cover” was replaced immediately with a simple photo featuring a picture […]

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Alice Cooper “Billion Dollar Babies” Award … Q & A

Thumbnail image for Alice Cooper “Billion Dollar Babies” Award … Q & A

1. What is this RIAA format called? 2. In what years was this the authorized format? 3. What was the name of this award’s manufacturer? 4. When was this album certified gold? 5. Who is Bob Ezrin? ____________________________ 1. The White Matte 2. 1964-1975 3. New York Frame & Picture Co. 4. March 27, 1973 […]

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Beatles “Something New” 1964 RIAA Gold LP – 1974 White Matte Record Award

Thumbnail image for Beatles “Something New” 1964 RIAA Gold LP – 1974 White Matte Record Award

“Something New” was released in June of 1964 and certified Gold by the RIAA on August 24, 1964. Yet this White Matte, presented to Capitol Records, was probably made in 1974 to honor The Beatles 10th anniversary. Within the White Matte period, from 1964 to 1975, there are differences that can distinguish first, or early, […]

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Albert Hammond “It Never Rains In Southern California” Gold RIAA 45 White Matte Record Award

Thumbnail image for Albert Hammond “It Never Rains In Southern California” Gold RIAA 45 White Matte Record Award

Released in September of 1972, “It Never Rains In Southern California” reached a peak chart position of #5 on the Billboard Hot 100. Albert Hammond’s only RIAA gold single was certified on January 9, 1973, and is celebrated here with an authentic, unopened (all original) RIAA White Matte. Mums Records were distributed through Columbia Sales […]

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Beatles “Sgt Pepper” – 1967 #1 Album – RIAA White Matte – Authentic, First Presentation, First-State, Gold Record Award

Thumbnail image for Beatles “Sgt Pepper” – 1967 #1 Album – RIAA White Matte – Authentic, First Presentation, First-State, Gold Record Award

The Beatles “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” Released, and certified Gold by the RIAA, in June of 1967, Sgt. Pepper’s cultural impact and contribution to the creative fiber of music is undeniable. You see it here, celebrated as an authentic, first-state, first presentation, white matte. The most valuable of RIAA record awards because of […]

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Iron Butterfly “Ball” 1969 RIAA Gold LP White Matte Record Award

Thumbnail image for Iron Butterfly “Ball” 1969 RIAA Gold LP White Matte Record Award

Iron Butterfly is famous for the album and song In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida which was certified RIAA gold in December 1968. Ball was released a month later in January 1969 and certified RIAA gold on July 22, 1969, reaching a peak chart position of #3. (In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida peaked at #4)Starting in the mid-1960s, Atlantic Records subsidiary Atco Records became […]

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Yes “Fragile” 1972 Gold RIAA LP White Matte Record Award

Thumbnail image for Yes “Fragile” 1972 Gold RIAA LP White Matte Record Award

“Fragile” by Yes was their second RIAA certified gold album. Released in January of 1972 and certified gold on March 3, 1972, it reached a peak chart position of #4. Here you see a “White Matte” award, the RIAA format from 1964 to 1975.Yes is an English rock band who achieved worldwide success with their […]

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Who “Who’s Next” 1971 Gold RIAA White Matte Record Award

Thumbnail image for Who “Who’s Next” 1971 Gold RIAA White Matte Record Award

The best rock album ever? The Who released “Who’s Next” in August of 1971. It was certified gold by the RIAA on 9/7/71 and reached a peak Billboard chart position of #4. This RIAA white matte is the correct first presentation format for the time period. The best rock drummer ever? Keith Moon “Keith was […]

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Staples Singers “If You’re Ready (Come Go With Me)” 1973 Gold RIAA 45 White Matte Record Award

Thumbnail image for Staples Singers “If You’re Ready (Come Go With Me)” 1973 Gold RIAA 45 White Matte Record Award

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. ________________________ Stax Records, with their iconic […]

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Beatles “I Want To Hold Your Hand” 1964 RIAA 45 White Matte Record Award

Thumbnail image for Beatles “I Want To Hold Your Hand” 1964 RIAA 45 White Matte Record Award

Two words. One song. And music changed forever… The Beatles! “I Want To Hold Your Hand” Already a growing phenomena in Europe, The Beatles released “I Want To Hold Your Hand‘ in the United States in December 1963. It became their first #1 hit on February 1, 1964 and two days later on February 3, it […]

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Neil Diamond “Moods” 1972 RIAA Gold LP White Matte Record Award

Thumbnail image for Neil Diamond “Moods” 1972 RIAA Gold LP White Matte Record Award

Join Honor Music Awards on Facebook — Receive free collector news and award stories by Email — Submit pictures of your awards for spotlighting. _____________________ Neil Diamond’s “Moods” was released in July 1972 and certified RIAA gold on August 31, 1972 (the 5th of his 23 RIAA certified LP’s from 1970 to 1988). It reached a peak […]

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Nineteen Ten (1910) Fruit Gum Company “1 , 2, 3 Red Light” 1968 RIAA Gold 45 White Matte Record Award

Thumbnail image for Nineteen Ten (1910) Fruit Gum Company “1 , 2, 3 Red Light” 1968 RIAA Gold 45 White Matte Record Award

Welcome to Honor Music Awards. Compare formats and detailed photos of awards in the Gallery. Share your knowledge and stories by commenting. Submit pictures and stories of your awards for spotlighting. Join us on Facebook. Subscribe to receive collector news and award stories by Email. _________________________ A classic piece of 60’s bubble-gum pop “1, 2, […]

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Cream “Sunshine Of Your Love” 1968 Gold 45 RIAA White Matte Record Award

Thumbnail image for Cream “Sunshine Of Your Love” 1968 Gold 45 RIAA White Matte Record Award

Gold and platinum awards have become vivid symbols of music’s success. Honor Music is about the hobby of collecting them. __________________ So Cream said … “It’s getting near dawn, When lights close their tired eyes. I’ll soon be with you my love, To give you my dawn surprise. I’ll be with you darling soon, I’ll […]

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Beach Boys “Shut Down Volume 2” Gold RIAA LP White Matte Record Award, Certified 1966 (Mfr. 1969)

Thumbnail image for Beach Boys “Shut Down Volume 2” Gold RIAA LP White Matte Record Award, Certified 1966 (Mfr. 1969)

Gold and platinum awards have become vivid symbols of music’s success. Honor Music is about the hobby of collecting them. ___________________________ The Beach Boys, released “Shut Down Volume 2” in March 1964 and it was certified gold by the RIAA on 12/21/66, reaching a peak chart position of #13. RIAA White Matte awards come in […]

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Animals “The Best Of The Animals” 1966 Gold RIAA LP White Matte Record Award

Thumbnail image for Animals “The Best Of The Animals” 1966 Gold RIAA LP White Matte Record Award

Gold and platinum awards have become vivid symbols of music’s success. Honor Music is about the hobby of collecting them. ____________________________ The Animals were a 60s English group known for their gritty, bluesy sound and deep-voiced front-man Eric Burdon. Their sound was exemplified by their signature hit song “The House of the Rising Sun” as […]

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Jethro Tull “Aqualung” 1971 Gold RIAA LP White Matte Record Award

Thumbnail image for Jethro Tull “Aqualung” 1971 Gold RIAA LP White Matte Record Award

Gold and platinum awards have become vivid symbols of music’s success, honoring achievement and people, worldwide. Honor Music is about honoring their history and impact, for those who have received and collect them. ________________________________ A zebra shitting tennis balls, and a wild eyed, long haired man standing on one foot, playing the flute. Such were […]

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Mountain “Climbing!” Gold RIAA LP White Matte Record Award

Thumbnail image for Mountain “Climbing!” Gold RIAA LP White Matte Record Award

Mountain Climbing! reached number 17 on the Billboard albums chart and featured the band’s best-known song “Mississippi Queen”(video). The album was certified gold by the RIAA on August 28, 1970, and its first presentation format was what you see here—a white matte. Mountain was formed shortly after Leslie West, recorded a solo album titled Mountain […]

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Johnnie Taylor “Who’s Making Love” Gold RIAA 45 White Matte Record Award

Thumbnail image for Johnnie Taylor “Who’s Making Love” Gold RIAA 45 White Matte Record Award

“Who’s Making Love” was recorded by singer Johnnie Taylor and released on the Stax label in October of 1968. The RIAA certified it gold on 11/15/68. The single was a breakthrough for Taylor, reaching #1 on the Billboard Hot R&B Singles chart and #5 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song featured Stax in-house band […]

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Doors “Morrison Hotel” 1970 RIAA LP White Matte Record Award w/Henry Diltz

Thumbnail image for Doors “Morrison Hotel” 1970 RIAA LP White Matte Record Award w/Henry Diltz

Our spotlight award today comes from from the collection of Tony Fornaro. Tony has collected awards for years and his want list includes adding another Led Zeppelin white matte (unopened). Contact him if you have any ideas. “Morrison Hotel/Hard Rock Cafe”, was The Doors fifth album. Released in February 1970, certified gold the same month […]

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Elton John “Honky Chateau” Gold RIAA LP White Matte Record Award

Thumbnail image for Elton John “Honky Chateau” Gold RIAA LP White Matte Record Award

If you’ve received or collect awards (or simply love and celebrate music), enjoy the Awards Gallery on the right, and please sign up for regular free Award Stories by Email. __________________________________ By the mid 70’s Elton John had turned out a series of superb albums and singles that established him as a giant in music. […]

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Grateful Dead “Workingman’s Dead” Gold RIAA LP White Matte Record Award

Thumbnail image for Grateful Dead “Workingman’s Dead” Gold RIAA LP White Matte Record Award

With “Workingman’s Dead”, the Grateful Dead moved from acid jams to concise pop tunes, but the ethos remained Dead. The Grateful Dead’s second RIAA gold album was released in May of 1970, and certified gold on 7/11/74 along with “American Beauty” (which was released in October of 1970). It reached a peak Billboard pop chart […]

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Doors “1st” – 1967 #2 Album – RIAA White Matte – Gold Record Award

Thumbnail image for Doors “1st” – 1967 #2 Album – RIAA White Matte – Gold Record Award

1967 was a special year in music … The Beatles released “Sgt. Pepper” … and there had never been anything like it. Jimmy Hendrix released “Are you Experienced” … and the sound of a guitar has never been the same. And when The Doors released their self titled debut LP … the youth had a […]

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Led Zeppelin “IV” (aka untitled) 1971 Gold RIAA LP White Matte Record Award

With three amazingly powerful and successful albums under their belt, Led Zeppelin had to follow up. How could their new album take them to a new level? What might get everyone’s attention … again? This was the side one they come up with… Note: side one of an LP was important to get the listeners […]

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Anne Murray “Snowbird” Gold LP White Matte Record Award

Anne Murray “Murray has received four Grammy Awards, 24 Juno Awards (she holds the record for the most Junos awarded to an artist), three American Music Awards, three Country Music Association Awards and three Canadian Country Music Association Awards. She has been inducted into the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame, the Juno Hall of […]

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Helen Reddy “I Am Woman” – 1972 #1 Single – RIAA White Matte – Gold Record Award (w/condition issue)

“I would like to thank God because She makes everything possible” – Helen Reddy, 1973 acceptance speech for the Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance. Helen Reddy’s single “I am Women” was released in December 31, 1969 and certified gold on December 18, 1972. It reached a peak chart position of #1 and […]

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