A Perfect Circle

I have big news to share with you, dear readers.

First, let me say Happy St. Patrick's Day to my fellow glam fans of Irish heritage. Drink some green beer and eat cabbage!

Now, the big news...drum roll please...

I am now the proud owner of a  platinum disc celebrating sales of Shout at the Devil. Motley Crue's greatest work was certified gold on January 12, 1984. It went platinum the first time on February 7, 1984. Since that time, Shout at the Devil  has sold several million more copies.

How did I come to own such an important relic of glam goodness? Ebay, of course. I wasn't looking for a platinum record when I was surfing Ebay late last night. Instead, I was hoping to find a cute Motley Crue babydoll shirt to wear when the weather gets a little warmer here in Ohio.

That's when it happened. I stumbled upon an Ebay store, chocked full of gold and platinum record awards from various artists.

If you've ever eaten at the Hard Rock Cafe or visited the Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in Cleveland,  you know that a platinum award has an "identifier" of sorts explaining why the person is bestowed such an honor. All the pieces for sale in this particular Ebay store are from a record shop.

Knowing only fools rush in, I used the 30 minutes remaining on the auction to research record awards and how to spot a hoax. After all, I didn't want to drop serious cash on a fake award. That would be more than devastating.

The official site for the Recording Industry of America, www.riaa.com, has an excellent page outlining criteria for collecting record awards.

I also stumbled across Julien's Auction House at www.juliensauctions.com which outlines several factors to look for when collecting music memorabilia.

I placed my first bid with five minutes remaining in the auction. This bid was too low, and I failed to meet the reserve. Two more bids, and I was home free! The remaining two minutes were very stressful, as I feared someone with much deeper pockets was going to snatch my treasure out from under my nose.

Then...it was mine!

I paid immediately, hoping to expedite the process. Now, the waiting game begins. I don't know where to hang such a priceless work of art. I suppose it could go over the bed, replacing my wedding portrait...or over the fireplace. When I suggested both these options to Eric, the glam rock husband,  he looked horrified.

Eric offered to build a lighted bookcase to show-off my award. I think he was kidding, but I might take him up on the offer.

It's not good to be greedy, glam fans. I hope you understand that when I saw this auction, I nearly passed out. I thank Eric for encouraging me to bid, much to my shock and amazement.

I would be heartbroken if I learned this treasure was sitting in a warehouse collecting dust...or worse, hanging beside a platinum award celebrating the work of My Chemical Romance.

Shudder to think.

Comments

[aXe mAn]

Motley Crue "Shout At The Devil" is a GREAT album!!! That is awsome that you got it!!
Crue is one of my favorite bands!!
It is funny that you mention the RIAA.
Because they are the ones that want to STOP internet radio!!
So, I am not a big fan of them.

Great Blog Allyson!!
Keep On Rockin'!!

[Chessie >^..^<]

tee hee hee....we have a long hallway between our dining room to our bedrooms. I have hung my signed Winger drumhead and a frame with Chris Caffery's and Steve Broderick's pics (TSO) on its walls. Eventually I want to put my copies of pictures I've taken of bands and what not down the hallway...making it 'Chessie's Rock & Roll HALL of FAME!" :P

A platnium album or two would make a nice addition... >:)

[Bill]

Congratulations on getting a significant bit of memorabilia for an album that means so much to you - that'll be some conversation piece on the wall!! I still don't think it's their best LP though ;-)