moneymusic.com

In 1982, Elektra Records released the single, “Body Language,” by Queen. Written by lead singer Freddie Mercury, it was the band’s first excursion into Funk and Disco. The value for the 45 depends on the picture sleeve. The version with a color picture of two naked bodies is worth no more than $10.00. However, a copy of the 45 that came with a sleeve with no images but just Queen and Body Language in red print on white background can sell for $350.00 today. Both versions are shown here.

Merry Christmas! If you have a black vinyl copy of the original “Elvis Christmas Album” from 1957 on RCA its worth up to $1,000.00. However, if the vinyl is red, as seen here, the value jumps up to $15,000.00. Ho Ho Ho!

Two years before Jerry Lee Lewis had his smash hit of “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On,” Big Maybelle charted with her version. In 1999, the Grammy Hall of Fame Award was given to Big Maybelle’s 1956 hit, “Candy.” Her last hit came in 1966 with a cover version of “96 Tears,” made most famous by Question Mark and the Mysterians. In 1957, Savoy Records released the albums, “Big Maybelle Sings” and “Blues, Candy and Big Maybelle.” Each is worth up to $600.00 today.

In 1963, Michael Nesmith, who would later become a member of the Monkees, had his first single called “Wanderin’.” Released on Highness Records, an original copy can sell for $1,000.00 but Michael’s mom is worth so much more. Bette Nesmith Graham invented what became known as Liquid Paper. Liquid Paper also known as “white-out” was sold to Gillette for $47.5 million dollars.

One of the most successful groups in Rock N Roll was the Olympics who first hit big with “(My Baby Loves the) Western Movies,” a top-10 Billboard hit from 1958. In 1959, they were responsible for popularizing the dance craze called the Hully Gully. Other hits included “Big Boy Pete,” and “Shimmy Like Kate.” In 1960, the Olympics charted with “Dance by the Light of the Moon.” The single on Arvee Records is worth up to $20.00 but the “Dance by the Light of the Moon” album can sell for $125.00 today.

The number of hits by Chuck Berry seems endless and many of them can be found on his third album, “Chuck…Berry is on Top.” The album could be called a greatest hits album with classics like “Maybellene,” “Johnny B Goode,” “Roll Over Beethoven” and “Little Queenie.” “Little Queenie on a 78 can get you $300. An original copy of “Chuck…Berry is on Top,” released on Chess Records in 1959, is also worth up to $300.00 today.

Lavern Baker was one of the most popular and successful female singers of the early Rock N Roll era. Her string of hits began in 1955 with “Tweedle Dee.” A year later she hit big again with “Jim Dandy.” In 1958, she was on the charts once more with “I Cried a Tear.” In 1991, Lavern Baker was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Her first album was released by Atlantic Records in 1957. Simply called “Lavern,” a copy with a red label is worth up to $50.00 but a copy with a black label can sell for $700.00 today.

Van Morrison is best known for the 1967 hit single, “Brown Eyed Girl.” The 45 on Bang Records is worth up to $20.00. However, his album, “Astral Week,”released by Warner Brothers Records, is considered one of the greatest albums of all time. Its poetic complexity was praised by critics. However, the album had little commercial success. An original copy from 1968 can sell for up to $500.00 today. (Find the values for over a million records in our “Record Appraisal Guide,” available in the left hand column)

The Platters was without a doubt the most prolific and successful Doo Wop group of the early Rock and Roll era. The hits started in 1955 with “Only You.” That was followed by more classics like “The Great Pretender,” “My Prayer,” and “Smoke Gets in Your Eyes.” But it’s one of the Platters’ earliest releases that is among their most collectible. In 1954, Federal Records issued the Platters single “I Need You All the Time.” An original copy, as seen here, can sell for $750.00 today.

In 1969, Pink Floyd provided the soundtrack music for the movie, “More.” This was the first album on which founding band member Syd Barrett did not appear. “More” is a film that deals with heroin addiction along with other drugs like LSD. The album by Pink Floyd, released on Tower Records, is worth up to $250.00 today. “More” is just one of the 10,000 soundtracks listed on our Soundtracks Guide, covering movies, TV shows, and Broadway shows. It’s available in the left hand column.