RIAA Platinum Album award for Kenny Rogers album The Gambler. Released on Sept. 30, 1978. The album was certified Platinum by the RIAA on Feb. 27, 1979 for one million copies sold. Remember Kenny Rogers (1938-2020) with this award.
The title track of this album became a worldwide hit and Rogers' signature song, topping the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. It also made its' way to #16 on the mainstream Hot 100, a rare feat for country tracks at the time. It also won Rogers a Grammy award for Best Male Country Vocal Performance. "She Believes In Me" also went to #1 and #5 on the country and mainstream charts, respectively. The album itself topped the Billboard Country and Canadian Country charts and did well in several other markets around the world as well. By 1997 the album had been certified 5x Multi-Platinum by the RIAA. See image above for the RIAA sales certifications of this album*.
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Item Highlights:
- RIAA Platinum Album award
- In VG condition
- First presentation award from 1979
- Original backing paper, retaped
- 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 17" x 21"
- Great collectors item for any Kenny Rogers fan
- FREE insured shipping to continental U.S.
- International shipping available
Detailed Item Description: This is a first presentation RIAA Platinum award that would have been manufactured in 1979 making it approximately 43 years old. It is presented to Guy Thomas. It is not known what role Thomas played in the creation or promotion of the record, although a few years later a songwriter with this name had a couple of songs recorded by Rogers for his 1984 What About Me? album.
This award is in VG condition considering its' age, with one spot of minor mottling of the matte in the upper right corner and typical frame wear. The award has its' original backing paper with Creative Glassics sticker. The backing paper has some water stains on the top and has been retaped after cleaning of the award inside but the award is all original.
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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