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Official RIAA awards have historically only been made available to those who worked on the recordings in a creative, technical or marketing capacity. According to the RIAA: "Any artist, label or other affiliated party who contributed to an RIAA certified title (riaa.com/gold-platinum/) and would like to obtain a physical plaque, can do so." (Source: riaa.com, underline added). What about RIAA awards made available to fans? A trend that has seen some minor growth in recent years is for artists to make arrangements with the RIAA for fans to be able to directly purchase official awards with their own personal names as the presentation....

The week in music history brought to you by MusicGoldmine.com. Just a couple of highlights from this week in music history! JAN 3: Today in 1987: Aretha Franklin was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on January 3, 1987, becoming the first woman to receive this honor. Recognized as the "Queen of Soul," her powerful voice and groundbreaking artistry shaped the music industry, influencing countless artists. Hits like "Respect," "Chain of Fools," and "Natural Woman" cemented her legacy. Franklin's induction celebrated her extraordinary contributions to rock, soul, and R&B, marking a pivotal moment for women in music history....

The week in music history brought to you by MusicGoldmine.com. Just a couple of highlights from this week in music history! DEC 8: Happy birthday to Phil Collen, born today in 1957! The English musician is best known as the lead guitarist for the legendary rock band Def Leppard. Collen began playing guitar as a teenager, inspired by bands like Led Zeppelin and Deep Purple. Before joining Def Leppard, he played in several bands, including Girl, a glam rock group that enjoyed modest success in the late 1970s and early '80s. Collen joined Def Leppard in 1982 during the recording of their...

The week in music history brought to you by MusicGoldmine.com. Just a couple of highlights from this week in music history! DEC 18: Happy birthday to Keith Richards, born today in 1943! The legendary guitarist, songwriter, and co-founder of The Rolling Stones is known for his gritty guitar riffs, rebellious persona, and enduring influence on rock music, Richards has become an icon of the genre. He first met Mick Jagger in his youth, and their partnership became the foundation of one of the most successful and enduring songwriting duos in history. Richards’ distinctive guitar style, often employing open tunings and a raw,...

Some great musical talents left us in 2024 and it's worth taking a minute to remember them and remain thankful for the musical gifts they left us. Many are likely missing here for sure and this is not meant to be an exhaustive list but here are many of the most notable deaths from last year in chronological order (date of death, name, music role/known for, age, location if known, cause of death if known): January 2, 2024: Chris Karrer, Amon Düül, Amon Düül II, Embryo, Guitarist and violinist, 76, Cause not specified. January 4, 2024: David Soul, Actor and singer, 80, London, England, COPD. January...