Incredible 1999 RIAA Diamond Award poster personally owned by Dusty Hill (RIP) of ZZ Top featuring genuine autographs of music royalty. Framed just as Dusty displayed it, the poster features 23 autographs including, in particular, some of rock's royalty from Elton John to Led Zeppelin, Journey to Boston, Def Leppard to Metallica and Guns N Roses, along with pop phenoms Boyz II Men, Kenny G, and MC Hammer.
Not only is the poster itself rare, but finding one signed by this group of artists -- many of them truly legendary -- is an ultra rare find indeed.
Autographs on the poster, all of which have been certified authentic by Beckett Authentication Services (BAS), include:
Brad Delp (RIP) & Tom Scholz of Boston; Shawn Stockman, Nathan Morris, Wanya Morris & Michael McCary of Boyz II Men; Rick Allen, Phil Collen & Joe Elliott of Def Leppard; Elton John; Jonathan Cain & Neal Schon of Journey; Kenny G; John Paul Jones, Jimmy Page & Robert Plant of Led Zeppelin; MC Hammer; James Hetfield & Jason Newsted of Metallica; Steven Adler of Guns N Roses.
Brad Delp adds "Boston", Jason Newsted adds "99", and Steven Adler adds "GNR" to their autographs.
Why did all these artists sign this poster? On March 16, 1999 the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America), which is the organization that issues Gold, Platinum and other music sales certifications, held a special ceremony in New York City. It was to celebrate the launch of its' brand new RIAA Diamond Award program, designed to recognize albums which achieve the milestone of selling 10 million copies or more in the U.S.
The RIAA also created a poster to celebrate the launch which contains photos of all 63 albums that had reached Diamond sales at that point. All 63 artists were invited and fortunately many on the illustrious list showed up at the event. For one, ZZ Top were honored with a RIAA Diamond Award for their 1983 album Eliminator.
While backstage at the event some artists managed to acquire autographs from their fellow Diamond Award honorees. Those doing this included ZZ Top's late bassist Dusty Hill, a well-known collector of memorabilia, who got many of the artists present to sign his personal copy of the poster.
Thus the story of this amazing music collectible.
Want to know more about the 1999 RIAA Diamond Awards ceremony and history behind this multi-artist signed poster, including seeing some video of that night? Check out our article here.
*Note: Three unknown autographs also appear on the piece that have not been identified but all 20 listed above have been positively identified and authenticated by Beckett Authentication Services and their full Letter of Authenticity is included.
Don't be fooled by other "signed" items on the Internet or in stores. Ask to see a COA/LOA from top authenticators like JSA (James Spence Authentication), PSA/DNA, Beckett or REAL (Epperson). You'll find that most sellers won't be able to provide this.
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Features:
- RIAA Diamond Award commemorative poster signed by 23 iconic artists
- Signed in various pens and markers (see diagram image for locations of various artist's signatures)
- Personally owned by ZZ Top's Dusty Hill, who was at the ceremony receiving a RIAA Diamond Award with his bandmates
- Poster dated March 16, 1999
- Letter of Authenticity from Beckett Authentication Services (BAS)--Note: See Beckett website authentication information under serial # shown on hologram sticker on letter (AC98424) for full list of authenticated autographs. Paper letter only has abbreviated list. See screenshot of full list on Beckett website in images.
- In VG to Excellent condition
- In original 26" x 38"composite frame with plexiglass front as Dusty Hill had it displayed
- MusicGoldmine Authenticity Guarantee
- Incredible ultra-rare piece of music history
- MusicGoldmine Premium Item: FREE, insured worldwide shipping and more benefits included (click for details). NOTE: To have the item shipped outside the USA please email support@musicgoldmine.com with your address and we will send you a custom invoice showing free shipping.