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Duke Ellington was a giant in Jazz music with a career that began in 1916 and conducted successfully until his death in 1974. Asked what kind of music he played, he would reply, “American music.” His biographers say his last words were, “Music is how I live, why I live, and how I will be remembered.” He has 40 records worth over $100.00 or more such as “Immigration Blues.” Released in 1927 on Vocalion Records it’s worth up to $400.00. In 1926, Buddy Records issued “If You Can’t Hold the Man You Love”. A copy can sell for $750.00 today

The 1950’s were golden times for movies dedicated to Rock N Roll and young gangs. Marlon Brando in the “Wild Bunch” might have started it all. Many more were to follow like 1958’s “Hot Rod Gang” starring John Ashley and Gene Vincent. The soundtrack released on Capitol Records features songs by Gene Vincent and His Blue Caps including the 1957 hit single, “Dance To The Bop,” which can now sell for $50.00. The “Hot Rod Gang” EP as shown here is worth up to $600.00 today.

Elephant’s Memory was known for their funky Jazz/Rock, but mostly they are remembered as the band John Lennon used to back him up on his album, “Some Time in New York City,” in 1972, an album worth up to $30.00. Chuck Berry and Bo Diddley also used them as a back up band in some of their concerts. In 1972, Apple Records released the 45, “Power Boogie,” by Elephant’s Memory. It’s worth up to $400.00 today.

The name of Robert Johnson is part history and part legend. Without a doubt he was one of the most influential of the Delta Blues artists of the 1930’s even though he recorded only 29 songs before his death from poisoning in 1938. Perhaps his best known song is “Hell Hound on My Trail.” Released on Vocalion Records in 1937, the 78 is worth up to $10,000.00. His first 78 “I Believe I’ll Dust My Broom” on Conqueror Records can sell for $12,000.00 today.

“Blinded by the Light” was a number one hit for Manfred Mann in 1976. However, the first release of the song was in 1973 by the man who wrote it, Bruce Springsteen. Manfred Mann’s million seller is worth no more than $5.00, but if you have a copy by the Boss, as shown here, it’s worth up to $1,000.00. But wait! There’s more! Add up to another $500.00 for the picture sleeve.

Tommy Edwards had a giant hit record in 1958 with a song written by a vice president of the United States. Charles Dawes was vice president under Calvin Coolidge in 1912 when he composed “Melody in A Minor.” In 1951, Carl Sigman put words to the melody and a classic was born. “It’s All in the Game” was a Billboard number one hit. As a 45 it’s not worth more than $20.00 but the 78 RPM version is worth up to $150.00 today. Both 45 and 78 are shown here.

One of the biggest hits to come out of Psychedelic Rock was the 1967 number 1 smash, “Incense and Peppermints” by the Strawberry Alarm Clock. George Mumford, who wasn’t even a member, was brought in to sing lead. It was actually the flip side “The Birdman of Alcatrash” that was supposed to be the hit. The original 45 on All-American Records can sell for $400.00. The album, “Incense and Peppermints,” was issued by UNI Records in 1967 and is worth up to $200.00 today.

Rockabilly is a wild and raucous form of Rock and Roll that spawned a lot of one-hit-wonders and eccentric performers like Jerry Lott from Mobile, Alabama who, like a lot of singers, was strictly Country until Elvis came along. Not a hit-maker, Jerry recorded as the Phantom wearing a Lone Ranger mask. His 1960 single on a black Dot records label called “Love Me” is worth up to $300.00 today. A maroon label would be a counterfeit. Add another $300.00 for the original picture sleeve as seen here. All known counterfeit records are listed and described in the Mighty John Record Appraisal Guide.

Barbara Eden appeared in numerous TV shows like “I Love Lucy” and “The Andy Griffith Show” and movies like “Flaming Star” with Elvis Presley. But she will always be remembered at TV’s favorite genie in “I Dream of Jeannie.” In 1967 Dot Records capitalized on both her beauty and fame and released the 45, “I wouldn’t Be a Fool.” With its picture sleeve its worth up to $75.00. Dot Records also released the album, “Miss Barbara Eden,” worth up to $200.00 today.

One of Motown’s first hits came in 1961 with “Money (That’s What I Want)” by Barrett Strong. His original 45 on the Anna record label, a subsidiary of Motown, is now worth up to $400.00. The song would later be covered by the Beatles and in 1979 by the Flying Lizards. Strong is also credited with writing hits like “Papa Was a Rolling Stone” by the Temptations and “I Heard it Through the Grapevine” made popular by Marvin Gaye, Gladys Knight, and Creedence Clearwater Revival. Barrett Strong’s most valuable record, “Let’s Rock,” released on Motown’s Tamla record label in 1960, is worth up to $1,500.00 today.