This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/10/2020
The offered RIAA Gold Record Award was presented for Michael Jackson's single "Beat It," from his era-defining 1982 LP Thriller. The single was released on February 14, 1983, while "Billie Jean" was approaching number one. "Beat It" eventually supplanted it at the top of the Billboard charts and stayed there for three weeks. The accolades poured in for Michael Jackson during the Thriller period, but especially for "Beat It." The single received the 1984 Grammy Awards for Record of the Year and Best Male Rock Vocal Performance, as well as two American Music Awards. And the video, oh the video, that changed everything. It drove the sales of the single and Thriller, and turned Michael Jackson into a worldwide superstar.
The RIAA certified the single Gold on May 9, 1983, and the offered award was produced at that time, based on the "floater" style, gold frame and black background matting. The plaque reads "Presented to MICHAEL JACKSON to Commemorate the Sale of More Than One Million Copies of the EPIC RECORDS Single Record 'BEAT IT.'"
The award measures 13 x 17 inches and presents with very little wear, with just a few very light scratches to the gold finish on the frame. Near Mint to Mint condition.