RIAA Platinum Album award for the Blues Brothers Briefcase Full Of Blues. The album was released on Jan. 1, 1978. The album was certified Platinum by the RIAA on Jan. 5, 1979 for one million copies sold.
Recorded live as the band opened for comedian Steve Martin in Fall 1978 at the Universal Amphitheatre in Los Angeles, the album based on John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd's characters produced several hit singles. They included a remake of Sam and Dave's classic "Soul Man" (#14 on the Billboard Hot 100) and "Rubber Biscuit" (#37). The album topped the Billboard Top 200 chart and also did well in Canada.
An excerpt from Timothy White's review in Rolling Stone: "God only knows how Atlantic managed to lure these living legends into recording but I'm here to tell you the straight poop: this band's got a street-smart sound that's tighter than a toad's ass. I've heard rumors that John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd were intimately involved in this project, but, believe me, the music on the Blues Brothers' Brief-case Full of Blues is no joke." While no slight to the talents of Aykroyd and Belushi, when White mentiods "living legends" he refers to veteran bluesmen Steve Cropper, Donald "Duck" Dunn and Steve Jordan, who made up the nucleus of the killer band on this record.
By later in 1984 the album had been certified 2x Multi-Platinum by the RIAA. See image above for the RIAA sales certifications of this album*.
Mouse Over to Zoom/Click to Enlarge Photos
Item Highlights:
- RIAA Platinum Album award
- In VG condition
- First presentation award from 1979
- Presented to promoter and artist manager
- Original backing paper, retaped
- Known as a "floater" award because the components appear to "float" above the matte, they were made from 1975-1981. RIAA "floater" awards numbered only 25-50 plaques worldwide for any given single/album
- Award measures 17" x 21"
- Great collectors item for any Blues Brothers fan
- FREE insured shipping to continental U.S.
- International shipping available
Detailed Item Description: This is a first presentation RIAA Platinum award that would have been manufactured in 1979 making it approximately 43 years old. It is presented to Jerry Brenner, who was a promoter and artist manager that worked with many major artists.
This award is in VG condition considering its' age, with minor fading of the matte and typical frame wear. The award has its' original backing paper (with adhesive residue in the size, shape and location of a New York Frame & Picture Co. sticker). The backing paper has been retaped but otherwise the award appears to be all original.
Interested in knowing more about RIAA awards and what makes them great to add to your collection? Subscribe to our free bi-weekly newsletter and get our 55-page MusicGoldmine RIAA and Record Award Guide free plus a 15% discount code here.
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 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