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In 1959, Keen Records released “Hit Kit,” the 4^th album by Sam Cooke. It contained many of Cooke’s early hits including “Only Sixteen,” “You Send Me,” and “Everybody Loves to Cha Cha Cha.” That 78 rpm single is worth up to $150.00 and the “Hit Kit” album up to $350.00 today.

Following the success of “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” in 1937, Walt Disney followed up in 1940 with “Pinocchio,” the puppet who wanted to become a real boy. Twelve-year old actor Dickie Jones, who had success in “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington,” was the voice of Pinocchio. The film won two Academy Awards, one of which was for best song, “When You Wish upon a Star.” The original soundtrack album, released by Disneyland Records, can sell for $250.00 today. “Pinocchio” is just one of the 10,000 soundtracks listed on our Soundtracks Guide in Microsoft Word, covering movies, TV shows, and Broadway shows. It’s available in the left hand column.

“Stand by Me” is a song recorded by over 400 recording artists. The biggest hit was by Ben E. King, reaching #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1961. John Lennon brought it to the top-20 in 1975. But who has the most valuable version? That would be Muhammad Ali. Recording as Cassius Clay, his single was released in 1964. The 45 by John Lennon on Apple records is worth no more than $10.00. The one by Ben E. King on ATCO records can sell for $20.00 today, but the Cassius Clay rendition, released on Columbia Records, is worth up to $100.00 with its picture sleeve. Guess he is the greatest!

Tony Basil, one time cheerleader for the Las Vegas High School Wildcats, had a multi-million seller in 1981 with “Mickey.” Dressed as a cheerleader on the picture sleeve, she was almost 40-years old but the teen market couldn’t get enough of her big hit. The single with picture sleeve, released on Chrysalis Records, is worth no more than $10.00, but in 1966 A&M Records released the Toni Basil single, “Breakaway.” An original copy is worth up to $400.00 today.

One of the all-time Rock N Roll classics is “Money” (That’s What I Want) by Barrett Strong. Many others have covered the original including the Beatles, the Kingsmen, and the Flying Lizards. “Money” by Barrett Strong holds the distinction of being the first Motown hit for Barry Gordy and distributed on the company’s Anna Record label. Released in 1960, a gold label copy is worth up to $40.00 while a black label copy can get you $350.00 today.

The Clovers had the first hit version of Leiber and Stoller’s “Love Potion #9.” The Clovers brought it to #23 on Billboard. Others who would later record the song include Neil Diamond, AC/DC, Robert Plant, Gary Lewis & the Playboys, and even Alvin & the Chipmunks. But it was the Searchers who had the biggest hit with it, peaking at #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1965. However, the Searchers’ 45, released on Kapp Records, is worth no more than $10.00 while the original single by the Clovers, released on United Artists in 1959, is worth up to $50.00. Their “Love Potion # 9” album can sell for $200.00 today.

“Paperback Writer” was another Billboard Hot 100 #1 hit in 1966 for the Beatles. Paul sang lead while John Lennon and George Harrison provided background vocals by harmonizing the French nursery rhyme “Frere Jacques.” The picture sleeve is unique in the sense that it shows Lennon and Harrison playing left-handed. Released on Capitol Records, the 45 is worth up to $50.00. The picture sleeve by itself can get you $250.00 today.

Baby-boomers, remembering their childhood, still fondly recall “The Howdy Doody Show” and Clarabelle the Clown. There were three Clarabelles during the show’s run including Bob Keeshan who would later find more fame as Captain Kangaroo. The last to play Clarabelle was Lew Anderson. Host, Buffalo Bob, said Lew was the best at entertaining the kids in the Peanut Gallery. Anderson was also a Jazz musician. His album “Clarabelle Clowns with Jazz,” released on Golden Crest Records in 1957, is worth up to $300.00 today.

“Little Latin Lupe Lu” was written by Bill Medley of the Righteous Brothers and first recorded by them. Released on Moonglow Records in 1962, a copy is worth up to $40.00. Since then, it has become a standard for many Rock N Roll bands like Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels who had the biggest hit with it, although worth no more than $10.00. However, the 1965 version by the Chancellors, released on Soma Records, is worth the most. With picture sleeve, a copy can sell for $600.00 today.

On October, 13, 2012, B.B. Cunningham, one time member of Ronnie & the Daytonas who charted in 1964 with (Little) “G.T.O.” is shot to death in Memphis while a member of Jerry Lee Lewis’ band. The “G.T.O.”45 can fetch $25.00. The album, released on Mala Records, is now worth up to $100.00.