Elvis Receives First Diamond Certification

Elvis Receives First Diamond Certification from the Recording Industry Association of America for Christmas Album
September 28, 2011

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Elvis Presley has been awarded his first Diamond Award for “Elvis’ Christmas Album” (1970 Camden Version) (CAL 2428). The original version of this album (LOC 1035) was the fourth album by Presley released in October, 1957 on RCA Victor Records and the music was recorded at Radio Recorders in Hollywood. It now certified as 3 X Platinum by the RIAA.

In the United States, the Recording Industry Association of America awards certifications based on the number of albums and singles sold through retail and other ancillary markets. A Diamond certification means an album has sold more than 10 million copies.

When originally released, “Elvis’ Christmas Album” (LOC 1035) spent four weeks at #1 on the Billboard Top Pop Albums chart, and was the first of two Christmas-themed albums Presley would record, the other being “Elvis Sings The Wonderful World of Christmas" (LSP 4759) released in October, 1971. This album is currently certified as 3 X Platinum by the RIAA. Both of these albums can be downloaded on the Elvis Presley Music Store.

Additionally, the RIAA also certified the following albums from Presley:

“Elvis Sings For Kids” Gold Certification
“Mahalo From Elvis” Gold Certification
“The Very Best Of Love” Gold Certification
“Elvis In Person” Platinum Certification
“I Got Lucky” Platinum Certification

An album is awarded Gold when it ships 500,000 copies, Platinum when it ships 1,000,000 copies and Multi-platinum when it ships at least 2,000,000 copies. Currently, Elvis Presley has 89 Gold albums, 50 Platinum albums, 25 Multi-platinum albums and 1 Diamond album.

The new certifications offer an additional element of excitement for Elvis fans who are celebrating the release of “Young Man With The Big Beat – The Complete ’56 Elvis Presley Recordings.” This 55th anniversary 5-CD super deluxe set celebrates Elvis Presley's explosive 1956 RCA debut that changed the world of popular music forever.

Celebrating 1956 in style, this retro 12x12 format and includes:

•5 CDs comprising all the 1956 RCA masters (digitally remastered,) Live performances including a previously unreleased live show, outtakes and rare interviews.
•80 Page 12" x 12" book with 12-month day-by-day chronology, rare memorabilia, photos, artifacts and documents.
•Memorabilia envelope with reproductions of posters, ticket stubs & photos
•Exclusive item with your order: 7" vinyl of Elvis' very first RCA EP - RCA EPA 747