RIAA Gold 45 award for The DeFranco Family track "Heartbeat - It's A Love Beat". Released in May of 1973, it was certified Gold by the RIAA on Nov. 6, 1973 for one million copies sold.
Thirteen year-old Tony DeFranco sang the vocal and was accompanied by veteran Wrecking Crew musicians Hal Blaine, Larry Carlton, and Max Bennett on this hit teen pop track. The song reached #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and the Top Singles chart in Canada. It also hit #6 in Australia. See image above for RIAA sales certification of this single.* (As is often the case, the RIAA website lists an incorrect number of units sold for a Gold single certified first during the 1964-75 "white matte" award period).
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Item Highlights:
- RIAA Gold 45 award with white matte, gold disc and gold info plate
- In Good condition
- First presentation award from 1973
- Presented to record executive
- All original with manufacturer label
- "White matte" awards (obviously so-named due to the white matte used) were made from from 1964-1974
- RIAA white matte awards numbered only 5-25 plaques worldwide for any given single/album
- Award measures 13" x 17"
- Beautiful and rare collector's item for any fan of The DeFranco Family
- FREE insured shipping to continental U.S.
- International shipping available
Detailed Item Description: This first presentation RIAA Gold white matte 45 single award made in 1973 making it about 51 years old. The award is presented to Russ Regan, who also signed and/or worked with Elton John, Olivia Newton John, Neil Diamond, Barry White and many others
The award is in Good condition considering its age with frame wear as is typical, and minor spider-webbing/snow-flaking inside the glass on the face of the disc that is visible at some angles. This could be easily cleaned off if the back is opened but it has been left sealed. The award is all original with New York Frame & Picture Co. manufacturer sticker.
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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 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