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Perhaps the most unsual group to record for Sam Phillips, the man who discovered Elvis, was the Prisonaires. They just happened to be inmates at the Tennessee State Penitentiary in Nashville. Their biggest hit came in 1953 with “Just Walkin’ In the Rain,” which later became a million-seller for Johnnie Ray. The Prisonaires’ version can now sell for $400.00. The Prisonaires’ most valuable record, “There Is Love in You,” released on Sun Records in 1954, is worth up to $8,000.00 today.

Do You Love Me” was a song written by Barry Gordy for the Temptations. But when the Temptations were late for a recording session, Gordy gave it the Contours to record. They had a hit with it in 1962 and, thanks to the movie “Dirty Dancing,” it became a smash again in 1988. The original “Do You Love Me,” released on Gordy Records, is worth no more than $25.00 but a previous single, “Funny,” by the Contours, released in 1961 on Motown Records, is worth up to $500.00 today.

Ricky Nelson had nine top-10 singles in a row in the late 1950’s. But the Rockabilly influence began to fade by the end of the decade, and Ricky’s music gave way to the softer more polished sounds of the early 1960’s. This change was reflected on his 1960 album, “More Songs by Ricky.” Released on Imperial Records, a black vinyl copy is worth up to $200.00 while a blue vinyl copy as seen here can get you $750.00 today.

The Five Keys formed in 1945 in Newport News, Virginia and although they never had any giant hits they were pioneers in the early days of Doo Wop and heavily influenced many of the major acts of the fifties. They did appear on American Bandstand with Dick Clark, but it was before the show went national. Otherwise, their fame might have been greater. Their 1960 album, “Rhythm & Blues Hits—Past and Present,” released by King Records, is worth up to $350.00. Their 1952 single, “Red Sails in the Sunset,” on Aladdin Records can sell for $2,500.00 today.

“The Soul Of Ike & Tina Turner” was the first album for the famous duo and features their first hit, “A Fool In Love.” The song was originally sung by Tina as a demo for Art Lassiter who was then the lead singer in Ike’s band. A fight over royalties between Ike and Lassiter eventually led to Tina’s version being released and the rest is history. The single can now sell for $25.00. Their debut album, released on Sue Records in 1961, is worth up to $750.00 today.

The Honeys were back-up singers for the Beach Boys on their hit, “Be True To Your School” and for Jan and Dean on “The Little Old Lady From Pasadena.” Member Marilyn Rovell would later marry Beach Boy, Brian Wilson. The Honeys’ own singles can be quite collectible such as “Surfin Down The Swanee River.” Recorded on Capitol Records in 1963, the 45 is worth up to $300.00 but the picture sleeve by itself can get you $1,500.00 today.

A shoeshine boy from Georgia grew up to be one of the most famous and successful performers of all time. Known as the Godfather of Soul, James Brown gave you your money’s worth if you saw him in concert or if you purchased any of his records. In 1960, King Records released the album, “James Brown & His Famous Flames Think. A copy that features several pictures of James Brown on the cover is worth up to $100.00 but a copy that shows a baby on the cover can get you $800.00 today. Both covers are shown here.

Who did Elvis Presley open for in the early 1950’s? The answer—Slim Whitman, a Country/Folk singer from Florida whose 1955 single of “Rose Marie” held the record for longest time at number 1 on the British charts until Bryan Adams topped him in 1991. Slim Whitman’s album, “America’s Favorite Folk Artist,” released by Imperial Records in 1954, is worth up to $500.00 today.

Outlaw Country is a relatively new term but David Allan Coe was Outlaw Country before Outlaw Country was cool. Spending much of his youth in correctional facilities, he also once lived in a hearse and a cave. He’s also the man who wrote the classic, “You Can Take This Job And Shove It,” made popular by Johnny Paycheck. David Allan Coe’s 1970 album, “Requiem For a Harlequin,” released on SSS Int’l Records, is worth up to $450.00 today.

Among the legends and pioneers of Rock N Roll is Gene Vincent. His first and biggest hit came in 1956 with “Be Bop A Lula.” It ranks at #102 on Rolling Stone Magazine’s “500 Greatest Songs of All Time.” Although he had many lesser hits he never topped the success of “Be Bop A Lula.” But all of his records are collectible like the 1960 single, “The Night is So Lonely.” Released on Capitol Records, the 45 and picture sleeve can get you up to $1,000.00. A promo copy of the 45 as seen here adds $100.00.