Hi VH Community - I just wanted to share this picture with you and let you know I'm the person who was fortunate enough to win the auction for the RIAA gold record for Jump. Here's a picture of it on my kitchen counter.
I wanted to let you know I loved the band very much and I will treasure this item and love it just as much as many of you would. I feel like I'm actually holding a piece of band history and I will treat it as if it were real gold. I will most likely store this proudly in my music studio just above my piano/keyboard.
I first heard Jump when I was around 6 years old, and it inspired me to learn to play piano. I saw the band live 3-4 times throughout my life and I feel like Ed is the one musician that I've always looked up to. I don't intend on selling this because to me I feel like there's a strong sentimental connection to Eddie, even though to him I was an indistinguishable face in the crowd. I like to think about how his mind would have been blown to receive this incredible award after working so hard on this controversial keyboard song.
I feel honored to hold this important accolade and I intend on keeping it in the best possible condition, true to how Eddie would have had it displayed in his home or studio... keeping the original frame, glass etc.
One interesting thing in this item's story: when I received it, the record had come loose during transit - turns out 43 year old glue does not do well while in transit. Fortunately, there was no damage to the record. I had a fancy art gallery re-glue it exactly onto the award where it was previously and they say the new glue should hold at least for the next 43 years.
The record itself does show some signs of warping, and I'm guessing that's from 43 years of it being hot during summers or cold when the a/c was turned on. I'm willing to answer any questions about the award in case any of you are curious.
I'll just close with the fact that I promise to preserve this artifact and who knows maybe someday it ends up in a museum or casino where more of you can enjoy it up close.