RIAA Gold Album award for the Parliament album Mothership Connection. Released Dec. 15, 1975, the album was certified Gold by the RIAA on April 26, 1976 for 500,000 copies sold.
The album featured the hit tracks "Give Up the Funk (Tear the Roof off the Sucker)", which reached #5 on the Billboard Hot Soul Singles and #15 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts, and "P. Funk (Wants to Get Funked Up)". It is often cited as being very influential for many funk, jazz, rock and dance music artists and has also has appeared on many best-albums-of-all-time lists. By later in '76 the album was certified Platinum by the RIAA for one million copies sold. See image above for the RIAA sales certification of this album*.
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Item Highlights:
- RIAA Gold Album award
- First presentation award from 1976
- Presentation to radio personality and executive
- In VG condition
- All original with manufacturer sticker
- Letter of provenance included
- Award measures approx. 17" x 21"
- 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
- Great collectors item for any Parliament or George Clinton fan
- FREE insured shipping to continental U.S.
- International shipping available
Detailed Item Description: This is a first presentation RIAA Gold album award from 1976. That makes it approx. 47 years old. It is presented to well-known radio personality and executive Scott Shannon who worked at Z100 New York and many other stations. A letter of provenance from Shannon will be provided with purchase as seen in images.
The award is in VG condition with minor mars on the frame and plexiglass. It is all original with original backing paper (taped in a few spots to help prevent dust intrusion). It has its' original New York Frame & Picture Co. manufacturer sticker.
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Notes on the condition of all vintage RIAA 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