RIAA 5x Multi-Platinum album award for ZZ Top album Eliminator, which was released on March 23, 1983. By July 22, 1985 the album was certified 5x Multi-Platinum by the RIAA. Remember Dusty Hill (1949-2021) with this award.
Fueled by the ZZ Top classics "Gimme All Your Lovin' ", "Sharp Dressed Man", "TV Dinners" and certainly "Legs", which reached #8 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, the album rose to #9 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums chart and #3 in the UK. It also charted in the top 10 on many other charts worldwide. By 1996 the album was certified 10x Multi-Platinum by the RIAA, becoming a rare Diamond seller. See image above for the RIAA sales certifications of this album through the years*.
Mouse Over to Zoom/Click to Enlarge Photos
Item Highlights:
- RIAA 5x Multi-Platinum Album award
- In VG to Excellent condition
- First presentation award from 1986
- Presented to record executive
- All original with manufacturer sticker
- Known as a "flower hologram" award, they were made from 1986-89
- Award measures approx. 17" x 21"
- Great collectors item for any ZZ Top fan
- FREE insured shipping to continental U.S.
- International shipping available
Detailed Item Description: This is a first presentation RIAA 5x Multi-Platinum award that would have been manufactured in 1986 when this "flower hologram" style of RIAA award was made (1986-89). That makes this award approx. 36 years old. It is presented to Bob Merlis, who was at the time Senior VP of Worldwide Corporate Communications at Warner Bros.
The award is in VG to Excellent condition with its chrome frame and internals all in VG to Excellent condition. The original Fitzgerald Hartley manufacturer sticker is also present on the award's backing paper.
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 55-page MusicGoldmine RIAA and Record Award Guide free plus a 15% discount code here.
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: 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