RIAA Gold Album award for George Benson album Weekend In L.A. Released in early 1978, the album was certified Gold by the RIAA on Feb. 28, 1978 for 500,000 copies sold.
"On Broadway" become a #5 hit on the Billboard Hot 100, driving strong sales of this live album capturing Benson's concert at the Roxy Theater in Los Angeles. The album went to #5 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums chart and #1 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums tally. It also sold well in Australia and the UK. By May 1978 the album was certified Platinum by the RIAA for one million copies sold. See image above for the RIAA sales certification data of this album*.
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Item Highlights:
- RIAA Gold Album award
- In Good to VG condition
- First presentation award from 1978
- Presented to artist manager
- All original
- 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 collector's item for any George Benson fan
- FREE insured shipping to continental U.S.
- International shipping available
Detailed Item Description: This is a first presentation RIAA Gold Album award that would have been manufactured in 1978. That makes it approximately 46 years old. The award is presented to Connie Pappas, who was at that time VP of John Reid Enterprises who managed Queen, Elton John, Bernie Taupin, Kiki Dee, and Carole Bayer Sager, and who later managed Benson, Minnie Riperton, Keith Carradine, and others. Here's a trade publication clipping photo of Pappas with Queen at a record award presentation in 1976:
The award is in Good to VG condition with some typical scratches on the frame, mars on the plexiglass, matte fading, and minor imperfection on the disc, likely due to moisture getting in the award at some point. The award has its' original backing paper cut on three sides in order to clean the inside of the awards (the three cuts have been taped to help prevent dust intrusion). Although the manufacturer label has fallen off, the size, shape and location of sticker adhesive residue along with the construction details of the award show it to have been made by the New York Frame & Picture Co.
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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 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