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Art Kassel started his dance band in 1924 and over the years featured many great musicians including Benny Goodman.  Kassel was a saxophonist and a clarinetist. His composition of “Doodle Doo Doo” can even be heard in the soundtrack of the Elvis movie, “The Trouble with Girls.” In 1947, the Vogue Record Company issued the Art Kassel picture disc, “Queen For a Day.” A copy is worth up to $4,500.00 today. “Queen For a Day” by Art Kassel is just one of the picture discs you’ll find listed on our Picture Discs Price Guide. It’s available in the left hand column.

In 1963, Mercury Records released the Boris Karloff album, “Tales of the Frightened.” The man who brought Frankenstein’s monster and the Mummy to the silver screen tells creepy tales in that familiar eerie voice just made to bring us chills. Along with creepy music and sound effects, Karloff opens each story with the words “Are you one of the frightened?” A copy of the album can scare up $75.00. In 1967, Decca released the album, “An Evening with Boris Karloff,” now worth up to $300.00.

In 1967, Van Morrison had his first solo hit with “Brown-Eyed Girl.” Two years earlier the Golliwogs came out with their single “Brown-Eyed Girl.” It’s the same title but different song. The Golliwogs would later be known as Creedence Clearwater Revival. But whose brown-eyed girl would you rather have? A record collector would choose the Golliwogs. Van Morrison’s single on Bang Records is worth no more than $20.00 while the Golliwog’s 45 of “Brown-Eyed Girl” on Scorpio Records can get you $250.00 today.

Marv Johnson had his biggest hit in 1959 with “You’ve Got What it Takes” for United Artists.  He was also the first recording artist to have a record released by what would become the giant Motown record empire. “Come to Me,” released in 1959 on Tamla, a subsidiary of Motown, is worth up to $200.00. His first album “Marvelous Marv Johnson,” issued in stereo in 1960 by United Artists, can sell for $100.00 today.

In 1981 Sweet Thunder Records released the album, “Reunited Live,” featuring Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. But the only original members were Valli and Bob Gaudio. During the concert, less emphasis was put on their big hits from the sixties while their more recent seventies hits like “December 1963(Oh What a Night)” and “Grease” were given more attention. An original copy of the album can still get you $200.00 today.

In 1967 20^th Century Fox released the film, “Bedazzled,” starring Dudley Moore and Peter Cook who also wrote the script. In the movie, Cook plays the devil offering Moore seven wishes in return for his soul. Dudley Moore also composed the soundtrack for the movie. An original copy on Decca Records is worth up to $200.00 today. Having Raquel Welch as one of the seven deadly sins sure doesn’t hurt the value. “Bedazzled” is just one of the 10,000 soundtracks listed on our Soundtracks CD, covering movies, TV shows, and Broadway shows. It’s available in the left hand column.

He was called a genius and it’s hard to disagree. Beginning in the early 1950’s, Ray Charles began to craft and form the style that would make him a legend. Taking a blend of Rhythm & Blues and infusing it with a powerful Gospel voice, his list of hits seems endless. Most critics agree that his live album, “Ray Charles at Newport,” showcases his most exciting performance. Released on Atlantic Records in 1958, a copy can get you $100.00 today.

Among the one-hit wonders of the early 60’s is Kris Jensen, thanks to songwriter and hit-maker John D Loudermilk. After the Everly Brothers turned down Loudermilk’s composition of “Torture,” it was given to Kris Jensen who took it to the top-20 on the Billboard Hot 100. After seeing its success, the Everly Brothers did record it but to no avail. Their 45 of “Torture,” released by Warner Brothers, is worth no more than $15.00 while Kris Jensen’s album “Torture” on Hickory Records from 1962 is worth up to $150.00 today.

The Isley Brothers were there at the beginning of Rock N Roll and, with some sibling changes, lasted on the music scene for almost 50 years. In the early years it was brothers, Ronald, Rudolph, and O’Kelly with Doo Wop singles that failed to get much attention. Then in 1959 RCA released “(You Know You Make Me Wanna) Shout” and the rest is history. “Shout” is one of the best known hits in history. An original 45 on RCA is worth up to $25.00. However, one of their lesser-known Doo Wop singles, “Angels Cried,” on Teenage Records can get you $600.00 today.

Joni James was one of the most popular girl-singers of the pre-Rock N Roll era. She had over twenty hits including “Why Don’t You Believe Me,” which hit #1 in 1952. Her version of Hank Williams’ “Your Cheatin’Heart” reached #2 in 1953. She sold over 100 million records and recorded over 25 albums including “Let There Be Love.” Released by M-G-M in 1953 as a four disc box set, its worth up to $200.00 today. A year later MGM released her 4 disc album, “Little Girl Blue.” That, too, can sell for $200.00.