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With many teens in the 1960s, Paul Revere was more famous than the revolutionary hero of the same name. With Mark Lindsay as lead singer the band would have many hits including “Hungry” and “Don’t Take It So Hard.” Among the band’s most valuable records is the 1963 self-titled album on Sande Records. It can now sell for $500.00. Also, look for “Like Long Hair” by Paul Revere and the Raiders on Gardena Records. Its worth up to $600.00 today.

In 1961 Bob Dylan makes his concert hall debut at New York’s Carnegie Hall. He is paid $20.00. 53 people were in the audience. Most were friends. In 1962, Columbia releases his first album, “Bob Dylan.” Do you have a copy? Look at the record label. Does it have “360 Sound” printed on the label? Its worth up to $100.00 today. However, if the label features 6 “eye boxes” (3 on each side), then the value jumps up to $500.00. A promo copy can get you $1,000.00.

When it comes to promotional records, mostly sent to radio stations, with the words “promotional copy” or “Not For Sale” printed on the label, the values in many cases can be worth a lot more than copies sold in stores. In 1964, Vee Jay Records released promo copies of the Beatles 45, “Ask Me Why” and the EP, “Ask Me Why.” Each is worth up to $30,000.00 today.

In 1961, A group of teens from Hawthorne California calling themselves The Pendletones record “Surfin’.” Their name would later be changed to the Beach Boys, a name made up by promotion man Russ Reagan. “Surfin’” would get to #75 on the Billboard Hot 100. It sold 50,000 copies. On “X” records its worth up to $750.00. A copy of the 45 on the Candix record label is now worth up to $1,500.00.

On Oct 2, 1945, ten-year-old Elvis Presley makes his first public appearance in a talent show at the Mississippi-Alabama Dairy Show. He sings “Old Shep” and wins second place. He is awarded $5.00 and free admission to the fairground rides. He later records the song for his 1956 album, “Elvis.” A copy can now sell for up to $500.00.

Curtis Mayfield left the Impressions in 1970 but with the group, he recorded albums that are collectible today. Their 1963 debut album, “The Impressions,” released by ABC Paramount, is worth up to $200.00 as is their 1968 album, “Ridin’ High.”

In 2010, as part of Record Store Day, Universal/Island Records released a 12 inch EP by U2 called “Wide Awake in Europe.” The record includes “Mercy,” “Moment of Surrender,” and “I’ll Go Crazy If I Don’t Go Crazy Tonight.” 5,000 copies were issued and each can sell up to $125.00 today. In 2015, IGA Records released “Songs of Innocence” by U2 as a Record Store Day exclusive. A copy can now sell for $800.00.

The Contours is a group who had the same hit on the Billboard Hot 100 in two different years. In 1962, recording for Motown’s Gordy record label, they reached #3 with “Do You Love Me.” That 45 is now worth up to $40.00. They hit again with “Do You Love Me” in 1988 thanks to the song being featured in the popular movie, “Dirty Dancing.” But the Contours’ first single, “Whole Lotta Woman,” released on Motown Records in 1961, is worth up to $500.00 today.

Conway Twitty had two successful careers, the first in Rock N Roll and then Country. His first giant hit came in 1958 with “Its Only Make Believe.” It was #1 in the U.S. and #1 in twenty-one other countries. In 1959, Conway connected with another giant hit called “Lonely Blue Boy.” His popularity with the Rock N Roll audience led to appearances in “College Confidential,” “Sex Kittens Go to College,” and “Platinum High School.” The “Lonely Blue Boy” 45 is worth up to $25.00. The “Lonely Blue Boy” album, released on M-G-M Records in 1960, can sell for $100.00 today.

On June 16, 1967, the first Monterey Pop Festival begins with numerous rock legends like Jefferson Airplane and the Mamas and Papas. Papa John Phillips would later write a song inspired by this legendary concert. It wouldn’t be a hit for him but it would be for one-hit-wonder, Scott McKenzie, with the classic, “San Francisco (Be Sure to Wear Some Flowers in Your Hair).” The 45 is not a big collectible at up to $10.00. However, Jefferson Airplane is another story. Their album “Jefferson Airplane Takes Off” released by RCA in 1967 can sell for $50.00 if the album has 11 tracks. BUT, if the album has 12 tracks the value jumps up to $500.00 in mono and $700.00 in stereo. Little things can make a BIG difference in the value of records.