RIAA Platinum album award for Styx album Pieces Of Eight. Released in September 1978, the album was certified Platinum by the RIAA a short time later on Oct. 10, 1978 for one million copies sold.
The album featured two successful singles which have since become Styx classics: "Blue Collar Man (Long Nights)" and "Renegade" which made it to #21 and #16 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, respectively. Powered by those tracks, the album reached #6 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums chart and also found success in Australia, Canada and several European countries. By 1984 the album was certified 3x Multi-Platinum by the RIAA for three million copies sold. See image above for the RIAA sales certification of this album over the years*.
Mouse Over to Zoom/Click to Enlarge Photos
Item Highlights:
- RIAA Platinum Album award
- First presentation award from 1978
- Presentation to artist management co.
- All original with manufacturer sticker
- In VG condition
- Award measures approx. 17" x 21"
- 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
- FREE insured shipping to continental U.S.
- International shipping available
Detailed Item Description: This is a first presentation RIAA Platinum album award from 1978, making it approx. 46 years old. It is presented to Stardust Enterprises, the name of Derek Sutton's artist management company that represented Styx at the time. This award was acquired from Rick Carr, a longtime record and concert promoter who received it directly from Styx's management in the 80s (see other awards he received here). He worked closely with the band and is mentioned in a Styx biography. He also worked with REO Speedwagon, Bad Company, Paul McCartney and numerous other artists from the 60s to the 90s. You can see photos of Rick with Styx's Tommy Shaw and other artists he worked with at this Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/profile/100044208980302/search/?q=Rick%20Carr
The award is in VG condition with typical frame wear and mars on the plexiglass. Note that the dark edge on the upper left is a shadow from the photo, the Disc Award Ltd. "platinum" record disc is completely undamaged. The award's backing paper is original with New York Frame & Picture Co. manufacturer sticker.
Interested in knowing more about RIAA awards and what makes them great to add to your collection? Subscribe to our free bi-weekly newsletter and get our MusicGoldmine RIAA and Record Award Guide free plus a 15% discount code here.
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