March 11, 2022 Records of the Day

One of the most prolific hit-makers of the late 60’s and early 70’s was Three Dog Night. They had 18 consecutive top-20 hits with several number ones including “Mama Told Me Not to Come” and “Joy to the World.” In 1970, ABC/Dunhill released the Three Dog Night album, “It Ain’t Easy.” There were two different album covers. One shows the group fully clothed and worth no more than $15.00. Another version pictures three vocalists, four musicians and one unidentified girl—all nude. The cover can sell for $200.00 today. Both are shown here.

March 10, 2022 Records of the Day

Among the girl-groups of the 60’s who had a short-lived but very successful chart-run was the Dixie Cups. When Phil Spector refused to let the Ronettes release “Chapel of Love,” it was given to the Dixie Cups and the rest is history with a song almost as popular today as it was in 1964. An original copy of the 45 is worth up to $25.00 but the album, released on Red Bird Records, is worth up to $100.00 today. Both 45 and the album are pictured here.

March 9, 2022 Records of the Day

Tone-Loc is the first black artist to have a number one album on the pop charts. “Loc-ed After Dark” contains the smash single, “Wild Thing.” He is best known for his hit, “Funky Cold Medina,” which is worth no more than $10.00. His gravelly voice was caused by his mother’s cold remedy of hot tea and brandy. Tone-Loc’s 12 inch single, “On Fire/ Cheeba Cheeba Hey Bro,” released by Delicious Records in 1987, is worth up to $200.00 today.

March 8, 2022 Records of the Day

Dion is one of the most successful singers to leave a successful group, the Belmonts, and become even more successful as a solo artist. In 1989 he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. His biggest hit came in 1961 with “Runaround Sue.” The album of the same name was released on Laurie Records that same year. A black vinyl copy is no more than $25.00 but a copy on green vinyl, as seen here, can sell for $700.00 today.

The most valuable album for Dion and the Belmonts is “Presenting Dion and the Belmonts,” first released in mono on Laurie Records in 1959. A copy is worth up to $350.00. In 1960 it was issued in stereo and can fetch $500.00 today.

March 7, 2022 Records of the Day

“Earth Angel” by the Penguins was one of the earliest hits of the Rock and Roll era. Released on DooTone Records in 1954, it has sold over 10 million copies. On a maroon label, the 45 is worth up to $500.00. It would be their only hit. Their last attempt was a song called “Memories of El Monte,” written by a young Frank Zappa. Released on Original Sound Records in 1963, a copy of the single is worth up to $75.00.

March 6, 2022 Records of the Day

The Troggs weren’t really one-hit-wonders but the success of their biggest hit, “Wild Thing,” in 1966 was so huge that it makes their lesser hits like “With a Girl Like You” and “Love is All Around” seem insignificant. The Troggs sold 5 million copies of “Wild Thing.” With so many copies, it’s worth no more than $20.00. But a mono copy of the “Wild Thing” album, released on ATCO Records, is worth up to $200.00 today.

March 5, 2022 Records of the Day

One of the true pioneers of Rock and Roll was Bo Diddley, the name given to him by a grammar school classmate. He was the only recording artist to have a hit named after himself. That song, “Bo Diddley,” by Bo Diddley was an immediate smash in 1955 and worth up to $150.00 as a 78. His syncopated ham-bone beat was unique at the time and later adapted by bands like the Who on songs like “Magic Bus.” The album, “Bo Diddley,” released on Chess Records in 1958, can sell for $300.00 today.

March 4, 2022 Records of the Day

Uriah Heep was a rock band formed in London who took their name from a character in a Charles Dickens novel. The group has sustained multiple personnel changes over the years. They found most of their fame in the 1970’s. Their biggest hit, “Easy Livin,” came in 1972. It’s worth no more than $10.00 but their 1972 album, “Magician’s Birthday,” released on Mercury Records, can get you $250.00 today.

March 3, 2022 Record of the Day

Yvonne De Carlo will probably not be remembered so much as a serious actress in classics like “The Ten Commandments,” where she played the wife of Moses (Charlton Heston). Because of the popularity of the TV horror-spoof “The Munsters,” we know her mostly as Lily Munster. However, she began her career as a nightclub singer. Her album “Yvonne De Carlo Sings” on Masterseal Records is worth up to $125.00 today.

March 2, 2022 Records of the Day

Girl-groups such as the Shirelles and the Supremes have played a big part in the storied history of Rock and Roll. One of the earliest and most loved was the Chantels who with Arlene Smith at the front mike gave us one of Doo-Wop’s greatest hits in 1957 with “Maybe,” which is worth up to $150.00 today. Their 1958 album, “We Are The Chantels,” on End records, as seen here, can sell for $2,000.00.