RIAA Gold LP "white matte" award for the Jimi Hendrix album Hendrix In The West, which was released in January 1972 after Hendrix's death. It was certified Gold® by the RIAA on May 6, 1972 for one million dollars worth sold.
The album contained recordings of live Hendrix performances at Royal Albert Hall on February 24, 1969, San Diego Sports Arena on May 24, 1969, Berkeley Community Theatre on May 30, 1970 and the Isle of Wight Festival on August 30, 1970. It reached #7 in the UK and #12 in the U.S.
The album was notable not only for its live versions of Hendrix classics like "Voodoo Child (Slight Return)" but also for the inclusion of his version of the Beatles "Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band". To this day, at his concerts Paul McCartney talks about his joy of hearing Hendrix perform the Beatles' iconic tune live in the U.K. just days after Pepper's release.
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Item Highlights:
- RIAA Gold LP award with white matte, gold disc, album miniature, and gold info plate
- In VG condition with some typical scratches and mars on the frame
- A first presentation award from 1972
- Presented to John Jansen, who was involved in the production of some of the album's tracks
- Original back with New York Frame & Picture Co. manufacturer 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 rare collector's item
- FREE insured shipping to continental U.S.
- International shipping available
Detailed Item Description: This RIAA Gold LP award must have been made in 1972 given its certification date. All internal components appear correct to support this being a first presentation award. The smoother, whiter Miller board used 1967 and after is present. The correct style presentation plate reading "to commemorate more than one million dollars worth of the Reprise Records long-playing record album..." is also present. The wood frame appears to be the correct and original white matte-style frame. Finally, it still features its original backing paper with New York Frame & Picture Co. manufacturer's sticker.
The award is presented to John Jansen, a producer/engineer who worked with producer Eddie Kramer on two of the tracks on this album. Jansen went on to work with many other major artists including Joe Cocker, The Who, Spencer Davis Group, Supertramp, Procol Harum, Blue Oyster Cult, Alice Cooper, Meatloaf, Billy Squier, Eric Clapton among many more.
This award is 48 years old and yet is in very good to excellent condition, considering its age. There are a few mars and scratches on the wood frame as is expected. The presentation plate is in very good condition. The plexiglas is clear with only a few mars and scratches.
Interested in knowing more about RIAA awards and what makes them great to add to your collection? Read our article here.
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