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In the 1920’s, Ma Rainey was known as “the mother of the blues” and credited to be the first great female blues recording artist. Sometimes, because of the suggestive themes of her recordings, she was called “Madame Rainey.” All of her 78’s from 1924-1928 are collectible like “Dream Blues.” Released by Paramount Records, it’s worth up to $1,000.00. With Papa Charlie Jackson, she recorded “Ma and Pa Poorhouse Blues” in 1928 for Paramount. A copy can sell for up to $2,500.00 today.

Johnny Cash had several hits on the Sun label such as “I Walk the Line,” “Ballad of a Teenage Queen,” “Cry, Cry, Cry,” “Big River,” “Get Rhythm,” and “Folsom Prison Blues.” Many were number one on the national Country charts but his biggest Sun Record’s hit on the Pop charts was “Guess Things Happen That Way,” which reached #11 in 1958. The 78 rpm version is worth up to $100.00. The EP “Johnny Cash with the Tennessee Two,” which contains the hit, can sell for $125.00 today.

Following good success with top-20 hits like “Just Keep it Up” and “Hey Little Girl(in the High School Sweater),” Delectus Clark, better known as Dee Clark, had his biggest hit with “Raindrops,” climbing all the way to #2 on the Billboard Hot 100. A copy on Vee Jay can now sell for $40.00. Despite his success, Dee Clark died in poverty in Smyrna, Georgia. His first album was released in 1959 by Abner Records. A copy is worth up to $125.00 today.

It’s hard to believe but James Brown, the “Godfather of Soul” didn’t have his first top-10 hit until 1965 with “Papa’s Got a Brand New Bag.” Rolling Stone magazine ranks the song at # 71 on its list of “The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.” The 45, released on King Records, is now worth up to $25.00. However, the album of the same name can sell for $100.00.

When it comes to value, nothing says “cash” like the king. In 1961, RCA released the Elvis single,“His Latest Flame” with “Little Sister” on the flip side. The 7 inch 45 is worth no more than $20.00. Add up to another $40.00 for the picture sleeve. However, RCA also released the record as a 7 inch 33 (same size as a 45 but playing at the speed of an album.) That version can now sell for $5,000.00. Add another $5,000.00 for the picture sleeve. All versions are shown here. Note the difference in the picture sleeves in the upper right corners, one indicating a 45, the other, below, a 33.

Ronnie Self is probably best known for the hits he wrote for Brenda Lee including “I’m Sorry” and “Sweet Nothin’s.” In 1957, over the objections of Columbia Records big-wig Mitch Miller, Ronnie Self was signed to the label. He was their first Rockabilly singer. His only charted 45 was “Bop-A-Lena.” Released in 1958, a copy can get you $75.00 but his EP, “Ain’t I’m a Dog,” from 1957 is worth up to $750.00 today.

Among the many bands to come out of San Francisco in the mid to late 60’s was Moby Grape. Their self-titled debut album caused quite a stir. Columbia records simultaneously released 8 cuts from the album as singles, greatly confusing radio programmers as which one to play. As a result, on some of the album covers (as shown here) band member Don Stephenson,seated in the middle, extended his middle finger (later airbrushed out.) The album, released in 1967, is worth up to $20.00 without the finger and up to $300.00 with the finger.

Jack Scott was one of the biggest stars of the early Rock and Roll era. His first hit was a 2-sided success with “Leroy” reaching # 11 and “My True Love” hitting #3 on the national charts in 1958. A copy of the 45 can now sell for $25.00. Six of the twelve songs on his first album became hits including “The Way I Walk.”  His first album, “Jack Scott,” was released on Carlton Records and is worth up to $300.00 today.

James Brown’s first hit was “Please Please Please.” It has become a Rhythm & Blues classic and recognized as the signature song for James Brown and The Famous Flames. Reportedly, the song came about because James Brown’s friend, Little Richard, had written please, please, please on an old napkin that he carried around and Brown felt the urge to write a song with that title. The single, released on Federal Records in 1955, is worth up to $40.00. The “Please Please Please” album was released on King Records in 1958. A copy can sell for $400.00 today.

Among the most valuable records of all time is a release from the legendary Sun record label in Memphis. “Lonesome Old Jail” with “Greyhound Blues” on the flip side was recorded and released in 1953 by Blues artist, D.A. Hunt. For 50 years, it was thought that the record was only available as a 78 but a 45 version is now known to exist. The 78 rpm record is worth up to $5,000.00 but find an original 45 and you’ve hit the jackpot. An original copy can sell for $40,000.00 today. Re issues that are not collectible do exist.