Awards Presentation At Graceland

Following is a press release from the RIAA:

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).

“We're honored to be a part of yet another milestone is the legendary career of Elvis Presley," said RIAA Chairman and CEO Mitch Bainwol. "His contributions to the musical landscape are unchallenged and this announcement serves as yet another indication that he will never be forgotten.”

On Saturday, January 8th at 9:00 a.m., a special presentation took place on the grounds of the historic Graceland Mansion where Elvis Presley Enterprises was presented with an RIAA certified sales award commemorating the achievement.

Originally released on Sam Phillips’ Sun Records in September 1954, sales documentation was recently uncovered that allowed SOony BMG Music Entertainment, 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 that 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.

Following is a statement issued by Sony/BMG (RCA Records label) for the awards presentation at Graceland:

Today is an incredibly exciting day for all of us as we celebrate with our partners at EPE and Elvis fans around the world another successful milestone. We are proud to announce that, "Good Rockin Tonight," recorded at historic Sun Studio 50 years ago, has been certified Gold by the RIAA. As you may remember, his first single "That's All Right" was certified gold last July. We proudly present this plaque to Elvis Presley Enterprises to commemorate one more sales milestone. Expect many more to come in 2005. As a result of this certification, Elvis Presley surpasses 50 million in US singles sales and is therefore placed in history as the artist with more certified singles than anyone in music history. On Behalf of BMG, we sincerely Thank YOU all so much for making all this possible! Look forward to many more certifications over the course of the year.