Music recording sales certification is a system of certifying that a music recording has shipped or sold a certain number of copies, where the threshold quantity varies by type (such as: album, single, music video) and by nation or territory (See also: List of music recording certifications).

Almost all countries follow variations of the RIAA certification categories, which are named after precious materials:

• Silver – Moderate sales (about half the Gold threshold; used only in the UK)
• Gold – High sales
• Platinum – Very high sales (often 2–2.5 times gold threshold)
• Diamond – Extremely high sales (rare, 2–10 times platinum)

The number of sales or shipments required for these awards is depends upon the population of the territory in which the recording is released. Typically, they are awarded only to international releases and are awarded individually for each country in which the album is sold. Different sales levels, some perhaps 10 times lower than others, may exist for different music media (for example: videos versus albums, singles, or downloads).

Originally applied to LP records, certification is now most commonly awarded for compact disc (CD) sales. Certification is often awarded cumulatively, and it is possible for a single album to be certified Silver, Gold, and Platinum in turn. An album that becomes Platinum at least twice over is said to be "Multi-Platinum". Artists can also become Multi-Platinum sellers if they have at least two albums in the same territory both going single Platinum. A poor-selling record is often jokingly said to have "sold lead" (the heavy metal lead), in contrast to attaining high status as a Gold or Platinum album.

Noun

rock and roll (uncountable)

1. Style of music characterized by a basic drum-beat, generally 4/4 riffs, based on (usually electric) guitar, drums, and vocals (generally with bass guitar). Generally used to refer to the 1950’s rock, and rock of its style, quite close to swing.
2. Style of vigorous dancing associated with this 1950’s music.
3. An intangible feeling, philosophy, belief or allegiance relating to rock music (generally from the 1970s–1980s), and heavy metal bearing certain elements of this music, pertaining to unbridled enthusiasm, cynical regard for certain Christian and authoritarian bodies, and attitudes befitting some degree of youthful debauchery. This meaning is sometimes used as an exclamation, in describing traits of certain people, and so on.
4. (UK) (rhyming slang) dole.

• When pronounced, the word "and" in this phrase, as in many others, is frequently reduced to a mere /ən/ or /n/ (i.e. pronounced "rok-an-roll" or "raw-kn-roll). When this occurs, it is often reflected in contracted spellings like rock 'n' roll (see alternative forms above).

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• Rock Bands
  library.thinkquest.org
  The origins and stories behind some often unusual band names.
• Psyche van het folk
  psychevanhetfolk.homestead.com
  Radio program and large resource covering several types of rock music, including progressive and psychedelic, gothic, experimental, and folk. With extensive links to other sources of relatedcinformation.
• NewRock.RulesTheWeb.com
  angelfire.com
  Guide to new music on the radio, local Kentucky bands, Internet music downloads, and online radio stations.

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  Tue Aug 16 08:47:51 2011