This is only a preview. The auction will open on: 10/28/2026 1:00:00 PM
Offered Here: Van Halen 1980 Women and Children First RIAA Gold Sales Award Presented to Zeke Clark With COA
Item Details: This is a spectacular artifact from the peak of the band's global arena dominance, featuring an authentic RIAA gold sales award for Van Halen's powerhouse 1980 album, Women and Children First. Celebrating the commercial triumph of heavy rock anthems like "And the Cradle Will Rock...," this prized award is configured in the classic flower hologram style, utilizing the combined record and cassette format configuration highly sought after by collectors. Adding unmatched rock history provenance, this accolade is officially presented to Zeke Clark, Van Halen's legendary longtime guitar technician, making it a definitive inner-circle presentation piece. Measuring approximately 17 x 21 inches, this magnificent display stands as a premier tribute to the group's classic lineup and creative momentum.
Provenance/Authenticity: Randall "Zeke" Clark is a renowned luthier and legendary guitar/amp technician who got his start in the San Francisco music scene in the 70s, working with various A-list artists until moving to LA in the 80s, where he worked for Eddie Van Halen.
From 1985 to 1993, he served as Edward Van Halen’s lead guitar and amp tech, transitioning to the crew with Sammy Hagar to maintain the band's gear through the monumental 5150, OU812, and For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge eras.
Beyond his historic tenure as the custodian of Eddie's tone, Clark's elite five-decade career includes building, repairing, and maintaining specialized gear for iconic artists such as Prince, Sammy Hagar, Journey, Heart, Poison, and others. This curated selection of items offers collectors a unique and direct connection to rock history through the hands of a master craftsman who shaped the sound of guitar royalty.
This item was personally handled, vetted, and released by Zeke Clark, ensuring its authenticity and rock-history provenance. Zeke Clark utilizes an Official Personal Signature Stamp to validate and inventory documents and artifacts released directly from his private estate. This item comes with his personal ink-imprinted signature stamp on the certificate of authenticity, which serves as his legally binding, authorized mark of verification and carries the full weight of a hand-signed signature.
Released in March 1980, Women and Children First was Van Halen's third studio album and the original lineup of Eddie Van Halen, Alex Van Halen, Michael Anthony and David Lee Roth reached the Top 10 of the Billboard 200 with it. Produced by Ted Templeman, the record pushed the band toward a heavier, more aggressive sound, with Eddie Van Halen playing a Wurlitzer electric piano run through his guitar amplifier on "And the Cradle Will Rock..." alongside tracks such as "Everybody Wants Some!!" Eddie Van Halen's two-handed tapping and inventive approach to guitar tone, established on the band's early albums, reshaped rock guitar playing and influenced a generation of hard rock and metal musicians.
Condition: The award is preserved in superb condition, presenting an incredibly clean and immaculate appearance with little to no visible signs of wear, aging, or storage. The physical components, frame, and presentation surfaces retain their brilliant original luster, marking this as a pristine, investment-grade example from Zeke Clark's meticulously maintained personal archive.
SKU: RZC2120