RIAA Gold Album Award for R.E.O. Speedwagon album Ridin' The Storm Out. Released on Nov. 9, 1973, it was not certified Gold by the RIAA until May 28, 1980 for 500,000 copies sold. Remember R.E.O. guitarist/songwriter Gary Richrath (1949-2015) and early lead singer Mike Murphy (1946-2006) with this award.
The album from the group's earliest days contained the Gary Richrath-penned title track, which is now a R.E.O. classic. The album crept into Billboard Top 200 Album chart at #171 in 1981 but it laid the groundwork for the major success of the title single a few years later when it appeared on the 1977 live album Live: You Get What You Play For. By 1989 the album was certified Platinum by the RIAA for one million copies sold. See image above for the RIAA sales certification history of this album*.
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Item Highlights:
- RIAA Gold Album award
- In VG condition
- First presentation award from 1980
- Presented to artist manager
- All original with manufacturer sticker
- 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 approx. 17" x 21"
- Great early-era collectors item for any R.E.O. Speedwagon fan
- FREE insured shipping to continental U.S.
- International shipping available
Detailed Item Description: This is a first presentation RIAA Gold Album award that was manufactured in 1980 making it about 44 years old. The award is presented to Alex Kochan, who co-managed the band, in addition to Survivor and others. It was acquired from Rick Carr, record and concert promoter who received it directly from REO Speedwagon's management in the 80s. He also worked with Styx and numerous other artists from the 60s to the 90s. (See other awards he received here).
This award's internals are all in VG condition while the frame has some wear and the plexiglass has minor mars. The award has its' original backing and its' original Creative Glassics 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