RIAA 4x Multi-Platinum Album award for Michael Bolton's Time, Love & Tenderness album. Released on April 21, 1991, the album was certified 4x Multi-Platinum on Nov. 24, 1994 for four million copies sold.
The album reached #1 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums chart on the strength of hit singles including a cover of Percy Sledge's "When a Man Loves a Woman", which topped the Hot 100 chart, and top 10 hits "Love Is a Wonderful Thing", and "Time, Love and Tenderness". It also reached #2 on the UK chart along with charting well in numerous other world music markets. See image above for all the RIAA certifications of this release.*
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Item Highlights:
- RIAA 4x Special Multi-Platinum album award with faux-snakeskin frame
- In VG to Excellent condition
- First presentation award from 1994
- Presentation to music industry executive
- All original award rebacked (see details below)
- Award measures approx. 36" x 19.5"
- Includes note signed by Michael Bolton
- MusicGoldmine Authenticity Guarantee
- Letter of provenance included
- Known as a "R hologram" award, they were made from 1990-97
- Great, unique collectors item for any Michael Bolton fan
- FREE insured shipping to continental U.S. (great deal on this large award)
- International shipping available
Detailed Item Description: This is up there with the "ultimate" in 1990s Michael Bolton awards. It is a first presentation RIAA 4x Multi-Platinum award that would have been manufactured in 1994 making it 28 years old. The award is presented to Jerry Blair, a record executive who held roles at CBS, Chrysalis, and Columbia Records. He is affectionately referred to as "Blairman" on the award and a personal note written to him signed by Michael Bolton is also included with this award. Here's a photo from the time of Bolton with Blair on far right, manager Louis Levin second from right, and Columbia Records promo exec Joe Schuld on far left (photo courtesy Louis Levin):
Blair played a key role in the success of artists including Bolton, Aerosmith, Tony Bennett, Mariah Carey, Billy Joel, Ricky Martin, George Michael, Will Smith and many others. The award is accompanied by a letter of provenance from Blair's son, who later took possession of his father's awards (see image of letter, son's name is redacted on image, buyer will receive unredacted copy).
This award is all original although there is no manufacturer sticker because the personal note was originally located inside the award. It has been removed and the award rebacked. The award is in VG to Excellent condition with only minor wear on the frame and a few mars on the plexiglass.
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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