RIAA Gold LP award for Big Country's The Crossing album, which was released on July 29, 1983. It was certified Gold by the RIAA for 500,000 copies sold on Jan. 19, 1984. Remember lead singer/guitarist Stuart Adamson (1958-2001) with this award.
The album, the Scottish group's debut, produced the hit "In A Big Country" which went to #17 on both the Billboard Hot 100 and the UK Singles chart. The group used a pitch transposer to make guitars sound like bagpipes on the unique track. The album peaked at #18 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums chart and #3 in the UK. See image above for the RIAA sales certification of this album*.
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Item Highlights:
- RIAA Gold LP award with all proper components for the late RIAA "strip plate" era with gold disc and gold strip info plate
- In VG condition
- First presentation award from 1984
- Presented to music journalist/executive
- Original backing paper
- Known as a RIAA "strip plate" award, which were produced 1981-85
- Award measures 17.5" x 21.5"
- Great collectors item for any Big Country fan
- FREE insured shipping to continental U.S.
- International shipping available
Detailed Item Description: This is a first presentation RIAA Gold award that would have been manufactured sometime around 1984. That makes this award approx. 38 years old. It is presented to the late Jim Henke, who was a long-time Rolling Stone writer who later became Chief Curator at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum.
This award is a first presentation award in VG condition for a 38-year-old piece. It has some frame wear and its' original backing paper has been cut on three sides for some sort of repair to the award. However, the components are original and the backing paper has adhesive residue in the correct size, shape and location of a New York Frame & Picture Co. manufacturer sticker.
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Notes on the condition of all vintage RIAA and other record awards: 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 20 to 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