RIAA Platinum Album award for Elton John album Live in Australia with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. Released on June 29, 1987, it was certified Platinum by the RIAA on Oct. 13, 1995 for one million copies sold.
This album chronicled a December 1986 live performance of, on part of the album, Sir Elton (dressed as Mozart) with his 14-piece band and, on the other part, with the 88-member Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. The release did well, reaching #5 in Australia, #24 on the U.S. Billboard Top 200 Albums chart, and it also charted in various countries in Europe. See image above for RIAA sales certification of this album*.
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Item Highlights:
- RIAA Platinum Album award
- Presented to radio industry executive
- In VG condition
- Award made sometime between 1988 and 1995
- This award, made in the RIAA "flower hologram" style, is genuinely from the era but was made to non-standard specifications (see below)
- Award measures approx. 16" x 20"
- Great collectors item for a Elton John fan
- FREE insured shipping to continental U.S.
- International shipping available
Detailed Item Description: This is a first presentation RIAA Platinum Album award that would have been manufactured sometime between 1988 and 1995, making it about 29-36 years old. It is presented to radio personality, program director and executive Jhani Kaye (sometimes referred to as "Johnny Kay") who was at radio stations KINT and KOST, among others.
While genuine of the era, given to a bona-fide recipient, and acquired from an industry source in Los Angeles, this award was clearly made off-license since it was made to non-standard specifications. It is undersize at 16" x 20" (when album awards should be 17" x 21"), and it was likely made prior to the album being certified Platinum, since in 1995 when it was certified "R hologram" style awards were specified by the RIAA as the type to be manufactured.
The award is in VG condition with only very minor mars on the frame and plexiglass. This award has its' original back, stapled on its' edges, and Dejay Products manufacturer stickers. It is not known if the stickers are original to this award.
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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, record retailers, 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