RIAA Gold Album "white matte" award for The Doobie Brothers album What Were Once Vices Are Now Habits. Released on Feb. 8, 1974, the album was certified Gold by the RIAA on April 2, 1974 for one million dollars worth sold. Remember original co-drummers John Hartman and Michael Hossack with this award.
This classic Doobies album contained the hit "Black Water", which became the group's first Billboard Hot 100 #1 single. It also reached #9 in Canada and #22 in Australia. Other singles included "Another Park, Another Sunday" and "Eyes of Silver". The album itself peaked at #4 on the Top 200 Albums chart, #13 in Canada, and it also charted in Australia, New Zealand, and the UK. By 2001 the release was certified 2x Multi-Platinum by the RIAA for two million copies sold.*
Includes MusicGoldmine.com Letter Of Authenticity
Item Highlights:
- RIAA Gold Album award with white matte, gold disc, album miniature, gold info plate
- Presented to recording engineer
- Made in 1974
- All original, rebacked
- In VG condition
- "White matte" awards (obviously so-named due to the white matte used) were made from from approx. 1964-1974
- RIAA white matte awards numbered only 5-25 plaques worldwide for any given single/album
- Award measures approx. 17" x 21"
- Great, rare collector's item for any fan of The Doobie Brothers
- FREE insured shipping to U.S. and Canada
- International shipping available
Detailed Item Description: This RIAA Gold Album award was made in 1974, making it a approx. 52 years old. It is presented to legendary recording engineer Donn Landee, who engineered many Doobie Brothers albums. He also engineered the first eight Van Halen albums from the 1978 debut to 1988's OU812 and many other albums by artists including The Doobie Brothers, Little Feat, Michael McDonald, Montrose, James Taylor, Van Morrison, Neil Young, and more.
This award is in Very Good condition, considering its age, with wear on the wood frame as is typical. The award has been rebacked but is all original otherwise.
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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
