If you Google Perry Como’s “Catch a Falling Star” you’ll likely read that the 1957 hit song received the Recording Industry Association of America’s first-ever Gold Record Award.
Trouble is, if you look up Glenn Miller’s “Chattanooga Choo Choo” you’re probably going to see a similar claim made for the 1941 tune.
So what’s the deal?
The deal is this: The early Gold and Silver Record Awards were given by record companies (RCA Victor in the case of Glenn Miller) in order to both recognize and publicize artists’ achievements.
Miller was presented a gold-sprayed record for sales of 1.2 million copies.
Harry Belafonte’s Calypso album and Elvis Presley’s “Don’t Be Cruel” single also received this type of award.
The RIAA’s official Gold and Silver Record program began in 1958, using independently verified sales statistics and codifying the standard (500,000 units sold for a Gold Record).
Thus “Catch a Falling Star” was the first official Gold Record, with the Oklahoma soundtrack becoming the first Gold album a few months later.
Platinum certification followed in 1976, with the standard being 1 million copies sold for albums and 2 million for singles.
The first Platinum Album was awarded to the Eagles for Their Greatest Hits (1971-1975).
Every Moment Has A Song 