RIAA Platinum album award for Eric Clapton album Backless. Released in November 1978, the album was certified Platinum by the RIAA quickly by Nov. 14, 1978 for one million copies sold.
Singles from the album, the sixth from "Eric Clapton And His Band", included "Promises", "Watch Out for Lucy", and "Tulsa Time". The album reached #8 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums chart, #18 in the UK and did well in numerous other music markets. See image above for the RIAA sales certifications of this album through the years*.
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Item Highlights:
- RIAA Platinum album award
- First presentation award from 1978
- Presented to co-founder of RSO Records
- 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. That makes this award approx. 44 years old. It is presented to the late Al Coury, a record executive who co-founded the Bee Gees RSO label with Robert Stigwood and who also helped develop the careers of Clapton, the Beatles, Nat King Cole, The Beach Boys, Pink Floyd, Glen Campbell, Bob Seger, Guns N' Roses, Aerosmith, Don Henley, Cher and Linda Ronstadt. (Below: Coury with John Lennon)
The award is in VG condition with only typical frame wear and mars on the plexiglass. It has a New York Frame & Picture Co. manufacturer sticker on its backing paper.
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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