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Frankie Avalon and Bobby Rydell played in the same band, Rocco and the Saints, before they launched their successful solo careers. Frankie Avalon had over 30 charted records from 1958-1962 including his biggest, the 1959 smash, “Venus.” It was number 1 for 5 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100. Released on Chancellor records, the mono copy is up to $20.00, a stereo copy up to $50.00. Add another $30.00 for picture sleeve as shown here.

In 1966, Verve Records released “Freak Out” by the Mothers of Invention. The album was a concept album of American pop culture as seen through the vision of front man, Frank Zappa. “Freak Out,” containing Doo-Wop, Rhythm & Blues, and even orchestral arrangements was one of the first albums with two records. It’s worth up to $100.00 today. Add $75.00 if there is a mail-in offer for a map/poster on inside cover.

Ellie Greenwich was one of the most successful and prolific song-writers of the sixties, writing and co-writing hits like “Be My Baby” for the Ronettes, “Da Do Ron Ron” for the Crystals and “Leader of the Pack” for the Shangri-Las. Not to mention “Hanky Panky” for Tommy James and the Shondels. In 1968, United Artists released the album “Ellie Greenwich Composes, Produces and Sings.” It’s worth up to $150.00 today.

The Tymes was another successful group to come out of Philadelphia in the late 1950’s. They hit number 1 in 1963 with “So Much In Love.” They went top 10 the same year with “Wonderful Wonderful,” a 45 now worth up to $50.00 with its picture sleeve. In 1974 they hit big with “You Little Trustmaker.” Their most valuable single was released in 1964. “Here She Comes,” released on Parkway Records, is worth up to $200.00 today.

The only album credited to Paul and Linda McCartney was “Ram,” released by Apple Records in 1971. The biggest single from the album was “Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey. The “Ram” album issued in stereo is worth up to $50.00. However, a monaural copy is worth up to $5000.00. No original copies list “monaural” on the cover. You have to check the label as shown here.

The Diamonds was the most successful white group to cover the hits of some of the great black artists of the 50’s. Among them was “Why Do Fools Fall In Love,” originally done by Frankie Lymon & the Teenagers and their biggest hit, “Little Darlin’, originally done by the Gladiolas. Following that was their top-10 hit, “The Stroll.” It was one of the biggest dance crazes of the 50’s. A copy of the single is worth up to $30.00. In 1956 Mercury Records released the EP ,“Golden Hits,” by the Diamonds. A copy is worth up to $500.00 today.

The prices collectors are paying for Northern Soul records continues to climb. “Northern Soul” refers to the northern part of England where there has been a tremendous demand for obscure Soul records from the U.S.—mostly for releases from the 1960’s and 70’s. A great example is Ray Agee and his single “Hard Loving Woman” from 1966. Released on Soultown Records, an original copy can sell for up to $4000.00 today.

Jo Ann Campbell began her recording career in 1956 and appeared in the Rock N Roll movies, “Go Johnny Go” and “Hey Let’s Twist.” Her biggest hits include “I’m The Girl From Wolverton Mountain” and “Mother Please (I’d Rather Do It Myself)” based on a commercial for Anacin. Released on Cameo Records, a copy of that 45 can get you $40.00. Her 1959 debut album, “I’m Nobody’s Baby,” released on End Records, is worth up to $300.00 today.

“Dumbo” was first released by Walt Disney in 1941 in hopes of making up for some of the losses he incurred from “Fantasia.” “Dumbo,” teased for his big ears, finds them handy when he wants to fly. Only 64 minutes long, it was one of Disney’s shortest animated features. The original soundtrack album, released on Disneyland Records in 1957, is worth up to $200.00 today. “Dumbo” is just one of the 10,000 soundtracks on our Soundtracks guide on CD. It lists the values for all movies, TV, and Broadway shows and is available in the left hand column.

Neil Diamond is as recognizable as any recording star of the last 50 years with almost 100 million records sold including 35 top-40 hits and 18 platinum albums. It all began in 1963 when Columbia Records issued the single, “Clown Town.” It wasn’t a hit but it set the stage for the remarkable career that followed. A copy of “Clown Town” is worth up to $600.00 today.