Below is a news release from the RIAA regarding a new gold single certification for Elvis - "Good Rockin' Tonight," the second of Elvis's Sun Records singles to be so honored. (His first Sun single "That's All Right" was the first of his Sun recordings to get gold certification and the award was presented on July 5, 2004, the fiftieth anniversary of the recording session.) The gold award for "Good Rockin' Tonight" will be presented to the Presley Estate at the Elvis Presley Day proclamation ceremony at Graceland on January 8. Additionally, SonyBMG/RCA Records will present a special multi-record commemorative award to be detailed soon in a separate article.
Elvis Reaches Another Milestone
WASHINGTON, January 7, 2005 – With the Gold certification of “Good Rockin’ Tonight” the sophomore single released by the incomparable Elvis Presley, the musical icon added another achievement to his legendary career after surpassing 50 million in U.S. single sales according to the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
Originally released on Sam Phillips’ Sun Records in September 1954, sales documentation was recently uncovered that allowed SonyBMG, the parent company of the Elvis Presley catalog, to request a certification audit.
Once completed, the Gold certification, representing 500,000 in domestic sales, was awarded cementing Presley’s grip as the artist with more certified singles than anyone in music history. Sir Elton John ranks a distant second, having sold more than 21 million singles over his four-decade career.
In all, Presley has earned 53 Gold singles, 27 of which have been certified Platinum with seven being certified multi-Platinum. His best selling single remains “Hound Dog / Don’t Be Cruel.”
In August 2002, the RIAA announced that Presley’s album sales had finally passed the previously elusive 100 million sales mark and his overall U.S. album sales total currently stands at more than 116 million, maintaining his place as the best selling solo artist in history.
In addition to being the standard bearer for certified singles, Presley has received more Gold and Platinum records than any other artist with 97 Gold records, 55 of which have been certified Platinum, and 25 have gone on to multi-Platinum status. His highest certified album is "Elvis' Christmas Album" which has been certified for the sale of more than nine million copies.
The firm of Gelfand, Rennert & Feldman audit all certification requests for the RIAA's Gold and Platinum award program.
About the RIAA
The Recording Industry Association of America is the trade group that represents the U.S. recording industry. Its mission is to foster a business and legal climate that supports and promotes our members' creative and financial vitality. Its members are the record companies that comprise the most vibrant national music industry in the world. RIAA® members create, manufacture and/or distribute approximately 90% of all legitimate sound recordings produced and sold in the United States.
In support of this mission, the RIAA works to protect intellectual property rights worldwide and the First Amendment rights of artists; conduct consumer industry and technical research; and monitor and review - - state and federal laws, regulations and policies. The RIAA® also certifies Gold®, Platinum®, Multi-Platinum™, and Diamond sales awards as well as Los Premios De Oro y Platino™, an award celebrating Latin music sales and its new Digital Sales award.
Good Rockin' Tonight Officially Goes Gold
January 04, 2005 | Music
dailyone wrote on
January 05, 2005
hooray a great song and well deservd . think about it it has gone gold and it was recorded by elvis in the mid 50's . makes you wonder who is the greatest of all time .
CD King wrote on
January 05, 2005
Good Rockin' Tonight is one of the very Best Elvis Rocking number from the 50s. I'm so happy it has reached GOLD Status. I hopes Jailhouse Rock will make it to Number One again in the UK. ELVIS Presley is indeed still the true King of Rock n Roll. LONG LIVE ZI KING!