BWW Exclusive: Broadway Goes Gold- Listen to the Ultimate, Certified Broadway Playlist!
By: Nicole Rosky Apr. 13, 2016
As BroadwayWorld reported last week, after winning big at this year's GRAMMYs, the cast recording for Broadway's HAMILTON has reached a another huge milestone -- going gold.
The Recording Industry Association of America's historic Gold & Platinum Program defines success in the recorded music industry. Originally conceived to honor artists and track sound recording sales, Gold & Platinum Awards have come to stand as a benchmark of success for any artist- whether they've just released their first song or Greatest Hits album.
To be certified, an artist or record label must reach out to the RIAA when a prerequisite is reached (Gold: 500K Units; Platinum: 1M Units; Multi-Platinum: 2M Units (increments of 1M thereafter); Diamond: 10M Units (increments of 1M thereafter).
Broadway cast recordings have been making a huge impression on audiences long before HAMILTON came around. Below, check out the others that have have reached Gold/Platinum status and listen to songs from each while you do it!
4x MULTI PLATINUM
LES MISERABLES Original Cast (Geffen)
Release: May 11, 1987
4x Multi-Platinum: July 15, 1998
Highlights from PHANTOM OF THE OPERA London Cast (Polydor)
Release: October 10, 1988
4x Multi-Platinum Certification: April 2, 1996
3x MULTI PLATINUM
MY FAIR LADY Original Cast (Columbia)
Release: March 1, 1959
3x Multi-Platinum: November 21, 1986
WICKED ORIGINAL Cast Recording (Decca)
Release: December 16, 2003
2x MULTI PLATINUM
RENT Original Cast (Dreamworks)
Release: August 27, 1996
2x Multi-Platinum Certification: March 25, 2003
A CHORUS LINE Original Cast (Columbia)
Release: January 1, 1977
2x Multi-Platinum Certification: May 17, 2000
FIDDLER ON THE ROOF Original Cast (RCA)
Release: September 29, 1964
2x Multi-Platinum Certification: May 16, 1990
PLATINUM
JERSEY BOYS Broadway Cast Performance (Rhino)
Release: October 19, 2005
Platinum Certification: September 22, 2009
THE LION KING Original Cast (Walt Disney)
Release Date: November 13, 1997
Platinum Certification Date: January 17, 2007
Release Date: November 13, 1997
Platinum Certification Date: January 17, 2007
MAMMA MIA! Original Cast (Decca)
Release: October 17, 2000
Platinum Certification: February 14, 2004
MISS SAIGON Original Cast (Geffen)
Release: February 13, 1990
Platinum Certification: March 28, 2000
THE MUSIC MAN Original Cast (Capitol)
Release: May 28, 1962
Platinum Certification: April 1, 1992
CATS Original Cast (Geffen)
Release: January 26, 1983
Platinum Certification: December 5, 1988
ANNIE Original Cast (Columbia)
Release: January 1, 1979
Platinum Certification: December 22, 1980
GOLD
HAMILTON Original Broadway Cast Recording (Atlantic Records)
Release: September 25, 2015
Gold Certification: April 6, 2016
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST Original Cast (Walt Disney)
Release: May 3, 1994
Gold Certification: December 7, 2000
DREAMGIRLS Original Cast (Geffen)
Release: April 14, 1982
Gold Certification: February 9, 1993
THE WIZ Original Cast (Atlantic)
Release: June 30, 1975
Gold Certification: February 23, 1990
GODSPELL Original Cast (Bell)
Release: 1971
Gold Certification: December 12, 1972
JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR Original Cast (Decca)
Release: 1970
Gold Certification: December 21, 1970
HAIR Original Cast (RCA)
Release: 1968
Gold Certification: March 25, 1969
MAN OF LA MANCHA Original Cast (Kapp)
Release: 1965
Gold Certification: June 28, 1967
MAME Original Cast (Columbia)
Release: 1966
Gold Certification: May 14, 1967
SOUTH PACIFIC Original Cast (Columbia)
Release: 1949
Gold Certification: May 16, 1966
OLIVER! Original Cast (RCA)
Release: 1963
Gold Certification: May 4, 1966
FUNNY GIRL Original Cast (Capitol)
Release: 1964
Gold Certification: June 2, 1964
Release: 1964
Gold Certification: June 2, 1964
HELLO, DOLLY Original Cast (RCA)
Release: 1964
Gold Certification: June 2, 1964
CAMELOT Original Cast (Columbia)
Release: 1960
Gold Certification: February 9, 1962
FLOWER DRUM SONG Original Cast (Columbia)
Release: 1958
Gold Certification: February 9, 1962
WEST SIDE STORY Original Cast (Columbia)
Release: 1957
Gold Certification: January 12, 1962
THE SOUND OF MUSIC Original Cast (Columbia)
Release: 1959
Gold Certification: December 7, 1960
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