Warner Bros. "platinum" LP award for Van Halen's debut album. The album was released on February 10, 1978 and is the release that started it all for the California rock legends, a group that in many ways defined rock from their inception in the late 70s. It launched the careers of guitar virtuoso Eddie Van Halen and flamboyant front man David Lee Roth, along with Eddie's drummer brother Alex and bassist and stellar background vocalist Michael Anthony.
The album featured the classics "Runnin' With The Devil", "Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love", "You Really Got Me" (a heavy reworking of the Kinks classic), and Eddie showcase "Eruption." The album only rose to #19 on Billboard's pop album chart in the U.S., but was clearly a hit among fans. Certified Platinum by the RIAA in Oct. '78 just months after its' release, by mid-1996 the album had sold 10 million copies, making it a rare RIAA Diamond Award seller.* (Note: This is not a RIAA award).
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Item Highlights:
- Warner Bros. Records "platinum" album award
- Award from approx. 1978
- Presented to radio personality and executive
- Provenance letter included (see image)
- In VG condition
- All original with manufacturer sticker
- Award measures approx. 17" x 21" x 3"
- Great collector's item for any Van Halen fan
- FREE insured shipping to continental U.S.
- International shipping available
Detailed Item Description: This is a Warner Bros Records label "shadow box" style award that would have been manufactured around 1978, making it approximately 46 years old. It is presented to David Kraham, a DJ and radio music director active in the 70s and 80s, including at KJOY in California. A notarized letter of provenance from Kraham is included with this award (see image).
The award is in VG condition, with its' plexiglass in good condition all around. It also has its' original manufacturer sticker from Art Concepts Inc., who made this style of label awards in the 1970s and 80s.
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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, record retailers, 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