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Joe Hill Louis was a session musician for Sam Phillips at Sun Records in the years that pre-dated Elvis. Louis was literally a one-man band who could play guitar and drums simultaneously. He is credited with recording the first record that Sam Phillips produced. Released in 1950 on Sam Phillips’ label, It’s The Phillips, “Gotta Let You Go” by Joe Hill Louis can get you $6,000.00 today.

Much of the Surf music of the sixties is collectible, not only by the best known recording artists such as the Beach Boys, Jan & Dean, the Astronauts, and Dick Dale but also some lesser known bands like the Lively Ones. Their 1963 single, “Surf Rider,” can now sell for $75.00. Their 1963 album, “Surf Rider,” released on Del-Fi Records, can get you $200.00 today.

Peggy Lee was a towering figure among American Jazz singers. Along with Ertha Kitt, Lee developed a sultry purr sound to her voice. Her big break came when Benny Goodman made her a “girl singer” with his band. Best known for hits like “Fever” and “Is That All There Is,” she recorded mostly for Capitol Records. But in 1953 she recorded one of her best received albums for Decca called “Black Coffee.” In 1957 it was re issued with a different cover. Either version can get you $200.00 today.

“Kiss And Say Goodbye” by the Manhattans spent two weeks at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 in 1976. First formed in 1964, the Manhattans can’t be considered an over-night success. However, their one giant hit will live for a long time. It’s an oddity because there is a “G-rated” version and an “X-rated” version. Released on Columbia Records the more common copy heard on top-40 radio is worth no more than $10.00 but the version with “X-rated” printed on the label, as seen on the right in white, is worth up to $400.00 today.

In the amazing career of Elvis Presley, the king had numerous two-sided hits such as “Hound Dog” and “Don’t Be Cruel,” released on RCA in 1956. In 1957, RCA issued the double-sided hit, “Playing For Keeps” with “Too Much” on the flip side. Elvis introduced the hits on the Ed Sullivan Show in January of 1957. A copy of the 45 with picture sleeve can get you $150.00 today.

There is no bigger name in Country music than Loretta Lynn. She recorded her first single, “Honky Tonk Girl,” in 1960. An original copy on Zero Records can now sell for $250.00. She would go on to have 16 number-one hits including “You Ain’t Woman Enough (To Take My Man).” The coal miners’ daughter was someone of a Country music feminist with records like “The Pill.” In 1963 Decca Records released her first album, “Loretta Lynn Sings.” A copy can get you $100.00 today.

Frank Luther began his career in Country music in the mid-1920’s. His own radio show, “Hillbilly Heart-throbs,” debuted on NBC radio in 1933. But his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame is for his contributions to children’s records like “Mickey Mouse and Minnie’s In Town.” Released as a picture disc on Victor records in 1934, a copy can get you $750.00 today.“Mickey Mouse and Minnie’s in Town” is just one of the picture discs you’ll find listed on our Picture Discs Price Guide on a flash drive. It’s available in the left hand column.

Little Anthony and the Imperials were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2009. Their first hit came in 1958 with the classic, “Tears On My Pillow, which can now sell for $30.00.” Their second hit came in 1960 with “Shimmy Shimmy Ko Ko Bop.” More hits followed like “I’m On The Outside (Looking In)” and “Goin’ Out of My Head.” Their debut album, “We Are The Imperials Featuring Little Anthony,” was released on End Records in 1959. A copy can get you $125.00 today.

Without a doubt, the one album that many people think is worth big money but is not is “Street Survivors” by Lynynrd Skynyrd. Released on MCA Records in October 1977, just before a plane crash that took the lives of two band members, the cover shows the band with flames. Later issues had the flames removed, The cover without flames is no more than $10.00 but the cover with flames is no more than $40.00 today.

Lionel Hampton was a master of the vibraphone and a drummer who could juggle drumsticks without missing a beat. He played with all the Jazz greats from Charlie Parker to Louis Armstrong. But it was Benny Goodman who first recognized Hampton’s amazing talents. Among his collectible albums is “Jazztime Paris.” Released on Blue Note Records in 1953, a copy can get you $250.00 today.