RIAA

Prince Awards – Have Become Among The Most Collectible Around The World

Thumbnail image for Prince Awards – Have Become Among The Most Collectible Around The World

Prince has been a MAJOR figure in popular music for over three decades, and is renowned as an innovator, widely-known for his eclectic work, flamboyant stage presence, and wide vocal range. Here you see an Authentic, First Presentation, First-State “Flower Hologram” award for his 9th RIAA Gold LP … Lovesexy. Released in May of 1988, certified RIAA Gold on 12/5/88, it […]

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R B Greaves – His 1969 Smash Hit Was About Infidelity … And Moving On!

Thumbnail image for R B Greaves – His 1969 Smash Hit Was About Infidelity … And Moving On!

Shooting stars, flashes of light … and one hit wonders, hold a special place in music and the history of gold records. This hit by R B Greaves was one of them. Here you see it celebrated with an Authentic, First Presentation, Second-State, RIAA 45 White Matte. Take A Letter Maria was released in September 1969 […]

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Johnny Mathis – Made Slow Dancing Foreplay in the 1960’s!

Thumbnail image for Johnny Mathis – Made Slow Dancing Foreplay in the 1960’s!

While Johnny Mathis was known for romantic ballads, his discography includes dozens of RIAA Gold and Platinum Albums from various genres.  This 1978 RIAA Floater award for You Light Up My Life, is just one in the long tradition. Certified RIAA Gold on May 2, 1978, it reached a peak Billboard chart position of #9. […]

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Crosby & Nash “Wind On The Water” Gold RIAA Floater LP Award

Floaters, are a classic RIAA format, and the earliest ones are now 40 years old (reference to – a blink of an eye). This Crosby & Nash (David & Graham)  “Wind On The Water” (released 9/75 and certified RIAA gold on 11/7/75) is a particularly great example of an Authentic, First Presentation, First-State award. Macey Lipman worked […]

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O’Jays — MFSB — Billy Paul — Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes — RIAA White Matte Singles – Record Awards

From time to time there are labels that showcase the music that defines a city. For example, Sub Pop in Seattle, Stax in Memphis, Motown in Detroit, T.K. Records in Maimi, and Chess Records in Chicago. Philadelphia International Records (PIR) was a label based in Philadelphia that was famous for showcasing what became known as the Philly […]

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Bill Cosby – Seven RIAA White Matte LP’s – And A Story In Presentation Plates

Thumbnail image for Bill Cosby – Seven RIAA White Matte LP’s – And A Story In Presentation Plates

Bill Cosby is in a pickle, but in the 1960’s he was certified gold – by the RIAA. From 1964 to 1969 seven of his Warner Bros. albums achieved million dollar sales. Here you see a complete run of his awards, presented to Roy Silver, who was Cosby’s first manager and producer. The awards have […]

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Isley Brothers “Fight The Power” – The Tale Of Two RIAA Gold Singles – What’s Up here?

Thumbnail image for Isley Brothers “Fight The Power” – The Tale Of Two RIAA Gold Singles – What’s Up here?

If you’re reading this email I know you’re interested in record awards. I bet you have, or have seen, quite a few. Me too. But here’s something I’ve never seen before (put it in the category of awards trivia). A few weeks ago I posted an RIAA Isley Brothers gold award for one million sales […]

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Edwin Hawkins Singers -“Oh Happy Day” – 1969 #4 Single – RIAA White Matte – Gold Record Award

Thumbnail image for Edwin Hawkins Singers -“Oh Happy Day” – 1969 #4 Single – RIAA White Matte – Gold Record Award

It began as an 18th century hymn!    In 1969 it became a worldwide hit!    It’s now a pop and gospel classic! Oh Happy Day by the Edwin Hawkins Singers  was released in April of 1969, certified RIAA gold on June 3, 1969 reaching #4 on the Billboard charts.  Here you see it celebrated with […]

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Rolling Stones “Between The Buttons” 1967 #2 Album – RIAA “White Matte” – Gold Record Award

Thumbnail image for Rolling Stones “Between The Buttons” 1967 #2 Album – RIAA “White Matte” – Gold Record Award

Ladies and Gentlemen… The Rolling Stones Between The Buttons, their sixth of eighteen RIAA “White Matte” LP awards!! Released in January 1967, certified RIAA gold on February 24, 1967, it reached a peak Billboard chart position of #2…

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Isley Brothers “Fight The Power (Part 1)” – 1975 #4 Single – RIAA Floater – Gold Record Award

Thumbnail image for Isley Brothers “Fight The Power (Part 1)” – 1975 #4 Single – RIAA Floater – Gold Record Award

“The Isley Brothers seemed to have as many lives in their show-business career as a cat. They started out as a hit on the black rhythm & blues circuit and later parlayed that into broad success as rock artists. When things slowed down for them in the U.S. teen market in the mid-1960s, they moved […]

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Righteous Brothers “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin'” Disc Award Ltd. In-House 45 Award & “Soul And Inspiration” RIAA 45 White Matte (w/condition issue & discussion)

Thumbnail image for Righteous Brothers “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin'” Disc Award Ltd. In-House 45 Award & “Soul And Inspiration” RIAA 45 White Matte (w/condition issue & discussion)

The Righteous Brothers were the musical duo of Bill Medley and Bobby Hatfield. They had their biggest success in the mid sixties and continued to perform until Hatfield’s death in 2003, with their sound coming to be know as “blue eyed soul.” Here we spotlight two of their biggest hits, and two different formats of […]

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Led Zeppelin “Whole Lotta Love” – 1970 #4 Single – RIAA White Matte – Gold Record Award

Thumbnail image for Led Zeppelin “Whole Lotta Love” – 1970 #4 Single – RIAA White Matte – Gold Record Award

Led Zeppelin’s ‘Whole Lotta Love’ has been voted best guitar riff of all time. “It’s propulsive. It churns. It’s full of muscle. If there was an aural dictionary entry for “rock ‘n’ roll,” Led Zeppelin’s 1969 hit “Whole Lotta Love” could stand in for the entire genre. And as it turns out, a whole lotta […]

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Blood, Sweat & Tears “Greatest Hits” – 1972 RIAA “White Matte” – Gold Record Award

Thumbnail image for Blood, Sweat & Tears “Greatest Hits” – 1972 RIAA “White Matte” – Gold Record Award

  Known for their music throughout the late 1960s to early 1970s, Blood, Sweat & Tears released their Greatest Hits album in February of 1972. It was certified RIAA gold on May 5, 1972 and reached a peak chart position of #19. Here it is celebrated with an RIAA “White Matte” presented to legendary music […]

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Pointer Sisters “Energy” – Gold RIAA Floater Award – Thoughts On Condition And Value

Thumbnail image for Pointer Sisters “Energy” – Gold RIAA Floater Award – Thoughts On Condition And Value

Is a restored award worth more or less than an award in unopened, “First-State” condition?The award you see here for the Pointer Sisters Energy is nearly thirty-five years old, and it’s in relatively good shape. With the exception of the label fallen off the disc. There are certainly examples of awards from the 60’s, 70’s […]

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Village People “Macho Man” – 1978 #24 Album – RIAA “Floater” – Gold Record Award

Thumbnail image for Village People “Macho Man” – 1978 #24 Album – RIAA “Floater” – Gold Record Award

RIAA “White Matte” awards celebrate music from 1964 to 1975, including the British invasion, singer songwriters, and the music of San Francisco. RIAA “Floaters” celebrate the music from 1975 to 1981 including soft rock, arena rock, and or course the heavy beat, dance all night, Disco! Perhaps the group most identified with the Disco years […]

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Charlie Rich “Behind Closed Doors” – 1973 #1 Single – RIAA White Matte – Gold Record Award

Thumbnail image for Charlie Rich “Behind Closed Doors” – 1973 #1 Single – RIAA White Matte – Gold Record Award

1973 was a big year for Charlie Rich.  Behind Closed Doors won the Country Music Association’s album of the year, single of the year, and he won best male vocalist. Released in January 1973, certified RIAA gold on September 4, 1973, it reached #1 on the Billboard country charts.  It is celebrated here with an […]

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“Bootsy” Collins “Ahh…The Name Is Bootsy, Baby!” – 1977 # 16 Album – RIAA Gold Floater – Record Award

Thumbnail image for “Bootsy” Collins “Ahh…The Name Is Bootsy, Baby!” – 1977 # 16 Album – RIAA Gold Floater – Record Award

 Ahh…The Name Is Bootsy Baby! was released January 1977, certified RIAA Gold 4/13/77, and peaked on Billboard at #16, and #1 on the R&B charts. Here it is celebrated with an Authentic, First Presentation, First-State, RIAA “Floater” format gold record.William Bootsy Collins rose to prominence with James Brown in the early 1970s, and later with […]

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James Taylor “One Man Dog” – 1973 RIAA Gold Album – Q & A!

Thumbnail image for James Taylor “One Man Dog” – 1973 RIAA Gold Album – Q & A!

Now for the excitement of a RIAA record award Q & A! You ready? Close your eyes, inhale deeply, exhale, and when you open your eyes, take a look at the following questions. Answer them with the help of the three pictures below. 1. What is this James Taylor award format called? 2. Is the […]

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Steve Winwood “Back In The High Life” – 1986 #3 Album – RIAA Flower Hologram – Platinum Record Award

Thumbnail image for Steve Winwood “Back In The High Life” – 1986 #3 Album – RIAA Flower Hologram – Platinum Record Award

Steve Winwood was a key member of The Spencer Davis Group, Traffic, and Blind Faith. His fourth studio album, Back In The High Life was released in June 1986, certified RIAA platinum on 9/8/86, and peaked at #3 on the Billboard charts.  The album produced several hit singles including Higher Love which topped the Billboard singles […]

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Kiss “Beth” – 1977 #7 Single – RIAA Floater – Gold Record Award

Thumbnail image for Kiss “Beth” – 1977 #7 Single – RIAA Floater – Gold Record Award

Kiss has dozens of gold and platinum awards from around the world. Beth, was their first single to reach RIAA gold status in the United States. Released in August 1976, certified gold on 1/5/77, it reached a peak Billboard chart position of #7. Here you see an Authentic, First Presentation, First-State RIAA “Floater” that celebrates […]

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Elton John “Elton John” – 1971 #4 Album – RIAA White Matte – Gold Record Award

Thumbnail image for Elton John “Elton John” – 1971 #4 Album – RIAA White Matte – Gold Record Award

Elton John has worked with lyricist Bernie Taupin as his songwriter partner since 1967; they have collaborated on more than 30 albums to date. The one celebrated here, with an Authentic, First Presentation, gold RIAA White Matte, was released in the United States in August 1970, certified RIAA gold on 2/17/71, and achieved a peak […]

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England Dan & John Ford Coley “I’d Really Like To See You Tonight” – 1976 #2 Single – RIAA Floater – Gold Record Award

Thumbnail image for England Dan & John Ford Coley “I’d Really Like To See You Tonight” – 1976 #2 Single – RIAA Floater – Gold Record Award

The RIAA certified format from 1975-1981 was the “Floater”. Called that because the disc and presentation plate seemed to “float” off the black matte. It was also the first format to recognize platinum sales and saw the addition of a second award manufacturer Creative Glassics (in addition to New York Frame & Picture Co.). England […]

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Otis Redding “(Sittin On The) Dock Of The Bay” – 1968 #1 Single – RIAA White Matte – Gold Record Award

Thumbnail image for Otis Redding “(Sittin On The) Dock Of The Bay” – 1968 #1 Single – RIAA White Matte – Gold Record Award

When people ask me what my favorite award is, it’s difficult to name one, like saying who is your favorite child (I have four). But more often than not this award comes to mind — a gold RIAA White Matte single for the iconic song by Otis Redding, (Sittin On The) Dock Of The Bay […]

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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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Iron Butterfly – 3 Awards For “In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida” – An RIAA White Matte – An In-House Platinum Award (the first) – A 4X Platinum RIAA R Hologram

Thumbnail image for Iron Butterfly – 3 Awards For “In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida” – An RIAA White Matte – An In-House Platinum Award (the first) – A 4X Platinum RIAA R Hologram

If you received awards in the 60′s – 70′s – or 80′s, congratulations!  If you would like to spotlight and share their stories with other collectors (free), or maybe a few of them have wound up in the closet or garage and you’ve thought about selling them, please contact me at (818) 416-3770 or jim@honormusicawards.com. […]

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BeachBoys “Today!” – 1965 #4 Album – RIAA White Matte – Gold Record Award

Thumbnail image for BeachBoys “Today!” – 1965 #4 Album – RIAA White Matte – Gold Record Award

The Beach Boys released The Beach Boys Today! in March 1965 as their eighth studio album and their first of three 1965 releases. It was certified gold October 1, 1965, and reached a peak Billboard chart position of #5. The RIAA White Matte that celebrates it here is Authentic, First Presentation, First-State, with documented provenance. […]

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Hammer, M.C. “Too Ligit To Quit” Platinum RIAA (Certified in United States), CRIA (Certified in Canada), RIJA (Certified in Japan) CD Awards

Thumbnail image for Hammer, M.C. “Too Ligit To Quit” Platinum RIAA (Certified in United States), CRIA (Certified in Canada), RIJA (Certified in Japan) CD Awards

In the early 90’s the pop-rap music, Hammer pants, and choreography of Hammer, M.C. burned brightly. His album To Legit To Quit  was certified platinum around the world including in the three countries whose awards celebrate it here… In the United States, with a 5X Platinum RIAA CD Award… In Canada, with a 2X Platinum […]

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Creedence Clearwater Revival “Green River” – 1970 #1 Album – RIAA White Matte – Gold Record Award

Thumbnail image for Creedence Clearwater Revival “Green River” – 1970 #1 Album – RIAA White Matte – Gold Record Award

John Fogerty, Doug Clifford, and Stu Cook (all born in 1945) met at Portola Junior High School in El Cerrito, California and became Creedence Clearwater Revival (CCR) in 1967 when Saul Zaentz bought their label, Fantasy Records. According to Wikipedia, he offered the band a chance to record a full-length album on the condition that […]

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Jimi Hendrix Experience “Axis: Bold As Love” – 1968 #3 LP – RIAA White Matte – Gold Record Award

Thumbnail image for Jimi Hendrix Experience “Axis: Bold As Love” – 1968 #3 LP – RIAA White Matte – Gold Record Award

Jimi Hendrix did more with an electric guitar than anyone before, or after him. “Hendrix’s music was perfectly tied to the times. It was a troubled, violent, confused, searching music on the one hand, an assertive, demanding, triumphant, sensual music on the other.” – Robert Hilburn, LA Times rock critic Axis: Bold As Love was […]

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Poison “Something To Believe In” – 1992 RIAA R Hologram – Gold Cassette Single Award

Thumbnail image for Poison “Something To Believe In” – 1992 RIAA R Hologram – Gold Cassette Single Award

Poison released their third album, Flesh & Blood, on June 21, 1990. It was a highly successful album, peaking at No. 2 and selling millions of copies. According to Wikipedia, the ballad “Something To Believe In” was dedicated to the band’s security guard and close friend James Kimo Maano who died. This celebration is an Authentic, […]

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