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Doo Wop music is among the most collectible that falls under the wide umbrella of Rock N Roll. First developed in the 40’s, this harmony style of singing was a mainstay on the charts in the 50’s and early 60’s. Here are 2 examples. In 1952, Atlantic Records released the single, “A Beggar for Your Kisses,” by the Diamonds (not the “Little Darlin’ Diamonds). It is worth up to $1,000.00 today. In 1953, Deluxe Records issued the single, “Four Women,” by the Crystals (not the “Da Do Ron Ron” Crystals). It can get you $3,000.00.

Shelly Fabares co-starred with Elvis Presley in three of his movies. She first gained fame as Mary Stone on “The Donna Reed Show” in the late fifties and early sixties. In 1962 she went to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 with “Johnny Angel.” Released on Colpix records, the 45 is worth up to $30.00 but the picture sleeve, as shown here, can get you $1,000.00 today.

Among the most popular male/female singing duos of the sixties was Dick and Dee Dee. They were regulars on the TV show, “Shindig.” Their first hit came in 1961 with “The Mountain’s High.” It reached # 2 on the Billboard Hot 100. Find this hit on Liberty records and it’s no more than $10.00, but on the Lama label the value is up to $125.00 today.

One of the biggest and best known hits of the early Rock N Roll era is “Runaway” by Del Shannon. The single hit #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the spring of 1961 and can now sell for $30.00. A mono copy of the “Runaway” album is worth up to $500.00 today. In stereo it is up to $1,000.00. There are also copies where the “A” side is mono and the “B” side is stereo. That version can get you $1,500.00.

The Sophomores was a group from Boston and one of the smoothest Doo Wop groups of the 50’s. At the time, groups were taking names that had a student theme such as the Four Freshman, Danny & The Juniors, the Collegians, and the Four Preps. The Sophomores had no real big hits but continued to be popular with their local audience for several years. In 1958, Seeco Records released their only album. A copy can get you $500.00 today.

The Four Tops are best known for their Motown hits like “Baby I Need Your Lovin’ ” and “I Can’t Help Myself.” Their most valuable hit is “Ask The Lonely.” With its picture sleeve it’s worth up to $75.00. However, it’s their Jazz album from 1962 called “Breaking Through” that’s really collectible. Released on the Workshop label, a copy can get you $1,500.00 today.

Lee Allen was a sought after saxophone player in New Orleans in the 50’s. He can be heard on records with Fats Domino and Lloyd Price. His solo sax can also be found on early Little Richard records. His only hit, “Walkin’ With Mr. Lee,” came in 1958. A copy of the single as a 45 or 78 can now sell for $30.00. In later years he would play with the Stray Cats and mentor the Blasters. His album, “Walkin’ With Mr. Lee,” released on Ember Records in 1958, can get you $100.00 today.

It was the Monterrey Pop Festival that put Big Brother and the Holding Company on the road to stardom. Their “Cheap Thrills” album, their last with Janis Joplin as a member, originally was to feature the group naked in bed on the cover. But the record company objected. Instead the cover was drawn by artist Robert Crumb. Released by Columbia Records in 1968, a stereo copy is worth up to $100 while a mono copy can get you up to $500.00 today.

The string of hits by the Coasters seemed endless in the 50’s and early 60’s including “Searchin,” “Yakety Yak,” “Charlie Brown,” and “Along Came Jones.” Most of their hits were written by famed song-writing team, Lieber & Stoller. Their first album, “The Coasters,” released on ATCO records in 1958, is worth up to $100.00 today as is their 45 for “Searchin.”

Perhaps one of the unlikeliest people to have a collectible record is John Kerry, a U.S. Secretary of State and former senator from Massachusetts and one-time presidential nominee. His band, the Electras, released a self-titled instrumental album in 1962. A copy can get you $500.00 today. Kerry played bass.