RIAA Gold album award for the debut album from a-ha, Hunting High And Low. It was released on June 1, 1985 and certified Gold by the RIAA on Oct. 22, 1985 for 500,000 copies sold.
"Take On Me" became a global hit for the Norwegian group, hitting #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and "The Sun Always Shines On TV" went to #20. The album rose as high as #15 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums chart and gained significant airplay on radio and particularly on MTV, where the innovative "sketch" style video for "Take On Me" become ultra-popular. The group also was nominated for Best New Artist for the 1986 Grammy awards. By 1986 the album was certified Platinum by the RIAA for one million copies sold. See image above for RIAA sales certification of the album*.
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Item Highlights:
- RIAA Gold album award
- In VG condition
- First presentation award from 1985
- Presentation to music industry executive
- All original with manufacturer sticker
- Award measures approx. 17" x 21"
- Known as a RIAA "flower hologram" award, they were produced 1986-89
- Great collectors item for any a-ha fan
- FREE insured shipping to continental U.S.
- International shipping available
Detailed Item Description: This is a first presentation RIAA Gold award that would have been made in 1985, making it approx. 38 years old. It is presented to Steve Leeds, a music industry executive who held executive roles at Virgin Records, MTV and SiriusXM.
This award in in VG condition with only minor mars on the frame and plexiglass. It has its' original Fitzgerald Hartley manufacturer sticker.
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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.