RIAA Gold white matte award for Aretha Franklin's I Never Loved A Man The Way I Love You album presented to songwriter Ronnie Shannon. This album was released in March 10, 1967 and certified Gold by the RIAA on June 13, 1967 for one million dollars worth sold, becoming one of the Queen of Soul's first Gold records.
The eleventh studio effort for Franklin (1942-2018), this album included two Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hits including the chart topping "Respect" along with the title track "I Never Loved A Man (The Way I Loved You)" which hit #9 and was penned by this award's recipient, Ronnie Shannon. The album itself peaked at #2 on the Billboard Top 200 chart and #1 on the R&B Albums chart. In 2002 Rolling Stone magazine named the album #1 on their "Women in Rock: 50 Essential Albums" list. See image above for the RIAA sales certifications of this album*.
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Item Highlights:
- RIAA Gold LP award with white matte, gold disc, album miniature, and gold info plate
- In VG condition with some typical scratches and mars on the frame
- A first presentation award from 1967
- Presented to album songwriter Ronnie Shannon
- Has been rebacked but internals are all original
- "White matte" awards (obviously so-named due to the white matte used) were made from from 1964-1974/early 1975
- RIAA white matte awards numbered only 5-25 plaques worldwide for any given single/album
- Award measures approx. 17" x 21"
- Beautiful and rare collector's item
- FREE insured shipping to continental U.S.
- International shipping available
Detailed Item Description: This RIAA Gold LP award must have been made around 1967 given its certification date. The award is presented to songwriter Ronnie Shannon, who wrote Aretha Franklin's hits "I Never Loved A Man (The Way I Love You)" from this album along with #1 R&B chart hit "Baby I Love You," which appeared on the Aretha Arrives album.
The award features the correct Atlantic label on the album, with the correct style presentation plate reading "to commemorate more than one million dollars worth of the Atlantic Records long-playing record album..."
It is approx. 53 years old and yet is in Very Good condition, considering its age. There are a few mars and scratches on the frame and it has a slight bit of old moisture damage on the bottom of the matte. The award has been rebacked with a new original style wire hanger but all other components are original.
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Notes on the condition of all vintage RIAA awards like this one: Please do not buy this item if you want a brand new piece of memorabilia. These are historical artifacts from the year they were produced. As a result they may show signs of wear. Frankly, if you see a 50-year-old award purported to be in 100% perfect condition, it might be too good to be true. After all, an antique should have "good' wear. If not, you might want to question the piece.
As to where they came from, they could have been displayed in record label offices, recording studios, artist manager's offices, radio stations, private collector's homes and yes, of course, possibly the artist's or songwriter's home. Typically, we don't know all the places they may have been over the years other than what we've stated in the description.
Finally, a word on photos: Our photos are zoomable so you can get a very good look. Do let us know if you want photos of any other details on our pieces and we'll be happy to provide.
*RIAA sales data source: RIAA.com