RIAA Gold LP "white matte" award for Three Dog Night's It Ain't Easy album presented to founder and co-lead vocalist Charles "Chuck" Negron. This album, the group's fourth, was released on March 31, 1970 and was certified Gold by the RIAA on July 14, 1970 for one million dollars worth sold.
Featuring the Randy Newman penned hit "Mama Told Me Not To Come" the album also included second hit "Out In The Country". On the strength of the group's popularity and those two tracks, the album peaked at #8 on the U.S. Pop Albums chart. Interestingly, the album included the first recorded version on Elton John and Bernie Taupin's iconic breakthrough hit "Your Song". John was an opening act for the group at the time and decided to let them record the song. However, Three Dog Night did not release the track as a single, kindly reserving that honor for up and coming artist Elton...
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Item Highlights:
- RIAA Gold LP award with white matte, gold disc, album miniature, and gold info plate
- In Good to VG condition with some minor moisture damage to bottom most portion of the matter, typical scratches and mars on the frame
- A first presentation award from 1970
- Presented to founder and co-lead vocalist Charles (Chuck) Negron
- Has original back with original manufacturer's sticker
- "White matte" awards (obviously so-named due to the white matte used) were made from from 1964-1974
- RIAA white matte awards numbered only 5-25 plaques worldwide for any given single/album
- Award measures approx. 17" x 21"
- Beautiful and very rare collector's item for any fan of Three Dog Night
- FREE insured shipping to continental U.S.
- International shipping available
Detailed Item Description: This RIAA Gold LP award would have been made in 1970. It is presented to Three Dog Night founder and co-lead vocalist Charles "Chuck:" Negron. Negron was the main singer of such hits as "One", "Easy To Be Hard", "Joy to the World", "Pieces Of April", "Old Fashioned Love Song", and "The Show Must Go On".
The award has the correct style presentation plate reading "to commemorate more than one million dollars worth of the Dunhill Records long-playing record album..." etc. It is 50 years old but is in Good to VG condition, considering its age. There is a small area of moisture damage to the bottom of the matte, some typical mars and scratches on the wood frame and the backing paper is torn at the very bottom. However, the presentation plate, gold disc and album miniature are in VG condition and the plexiglas is clear with only a few very minor mars. The original backing paper is also intact with original New York Frame & Picture Co. sticker.
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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