The RIAA in February 1958 ago issued its first Gold album award for the cast album recording of Oklahoma! sung by Gordon MacRae. The first Gold single went to Perry Como for "Catch A Falling Star" earlier that year.
After that beginning, it wouldn't be long before one Elvis Presley would capture some gold with 146.5 million album awards over 101 separate Gold (or better) albums. Today, Elvis remains the artist who has earned the most Gold Album Awards of any artist in RIAA history.
As the years went on the program gained prestige and it remains an important milestone marking commercial achievement by music artists and those who work with them. Check out the Top 10 biggest selling RIAA certified albums of all time here, with it recently seeing a shift of two, including the Beatles "white album" moving up a spot in the tally. There are some surprises on the list too...
The awards have also become coveted by collectors with some awards garnering over $50-60,000 at auction. After 60 plus years, the awards have become a part of the fabric of the music industry and remain as markers of musical success over time. Here's to the next 60!
Check out our current selection of RIAA and other records awards here.
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