Ampex Golden Reel award for ZZ Top album Afterburner presented to and personally owned by Dusty Hill of ZZ Top. The album was released on Oct. 28, 1985 and by 1999 was certified 5x Multi-Platinum by the RIAA for five million copies sold. (Note: This is not a RIAA award). It became ZZ Top's second-biggest selling album in the U.S. and did well in many other markets around the world as well. Remember Dusty Hill (1949-2021) with this rare piece of ZZ Top music history.
Featuring the hits "Sleeping Bag", "Roughboy", and "Velcro Fly" the album reached #4 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums chart, and in the top 5 in most world music markets.
Ampex Golden Reel awards were presented by the Ampex Corp. from approx. 1977 through 1989 for albums recorded entirely on Ampex recording tape which attained at least Gold sales in their country of origin. One award was given to the artist and one to the recording studio at which the project was recorded, making them rare awards. Especially so when considering that only around 500 albums received the honor.
*See our article HERE for more rare Dusty Hill-presented record awards available here at MusicGoldmine.com.
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Item Highlights:
- Ampex Golden Reel award for ZZ Top album Afterburner album
- Presented to and personally owned by Dusty Hill
- In Excellent condition
- Made around 1985
- Award measures approx. 13.5" x 17"
- One-of-a-kind collector's item for any ZZ Top fan
- Includes original custom hard shell box
- FREE insured shipping to continental U.S.
- International shipping available
Detailed Item Description: This is a Ampex Golden Reel award dating to 1985, making it about 39 years old. Undoubtedly, the best feature of this award is that it is presented to and was personally owned by ZZ Top co-founder, bassist, co-lead singer, and songwriter Dusty Hill. It was acquired in a 2023 auction personally authorized by Hill's widow Charleen “Chuck” McCrory Hill.
The award is in Excellent condition. Hill was known to carefully care for and display his memorabilia and the award includes its' original custom hard shell box. Some of his many pieces can be seen hanging on his walls in the 2019 Banger Films/Eagle Rock ZZ Top documentary That Little Ol' Band From Texas.
Don't miss this chance to get a rare award presented to a founding member of ZZ Top.
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Notes on the condition of all vintage record 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