RIAA Gold Award for *NSYNC's debut album presented to (notorious) boy band impresario and group creator Lou Pearlman's Trans Continental Studios. Released on May 26, 1997, this is the album that started it all for the group and this is their first RIAA Gold album award. The release was certified Gold by the RIAA on July 13, 1998 for 500,000 copies sold and the success grew from there.
The album spawned hit singles "I Want You Back" and "Tearin' Up My Heart", which first were hits in Germany and parts of Europe and which then hit the U.S. and propelled their debut to #2 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums chart. By 2000 the album was certified 10x Multi-Platinum by the RIAA, earning it a Diamond award. See image above for RIAA sales certifications of this album through the years*.
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Item Highlights:
- RIAA Gold award with CD, cassette and album art
- In VG condition with a few minor mars on the frame and plexiglas
- First presentation award from 1998
- Unopened back with manufacturer's sticker indicating an original award
- Known as a "RIAA bar hologram" award with a serial number, they were made from 1998 to present
- Award measures 17" x 21"
- Great collectors item for any *NSYNC fan
- FREE insured shipping to continental U.S.
- International shipping available
Detailed Item Description: This RIAA Gold award is a first presentation award that would have been manufactured in 1998 making it approximately 22 years old.
This award is also exceptionally interesting in that it is presented to Lou Pearlman's Trans Continental Studios. The legendary (and notorious) Pearlman famously formed *NSYNC, guided their development, and financed the recording of this album with Swedish pop producer Max Martin at his studio in Stockholm. As the group became successful following the release of the debut, Pearlman built Trans Continental Studios and of course ordered this Gold RIAA award. Pearlman could order this through the RIAA because the group was signed to his label Trans Continental Records, which was a joint venture with RCA. Reportedly, Pearlman artists from Backstreet Boys to *NSYNC recorded at his studio but also others including Eminem, Queen Latifah, and Hank Williams, Jr.
In 1999 the boy band impresario had a well-publicized falling out with the group, culminating in *NSYNC winning a lawsuit that allowed them to exit from Pearlman's unfair record/management contract. This set the stage for the group's similarly massive follow up, No Strings Attached, so named to signify their freedom from Pearlman. That album further cemented the group's superstar status and also led to a successful solo career for Justin Timberlake. Pearlman would go on to commit multiple acts of fraud, go on the run, be captured and sent to prison, and die there in 2016. In 2019 *NSYNC member Lance Bass made a film about his group's experiences with Pearlman entitled The Boy Band Con: The Lou Pearlman Story.
The award is all original with unopened backing paper, Ill-Eagle Enterprises manufacturer's sticker and all correct components. This award is in VG condition, with only minor mars on the frame and plexiglas.
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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.