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“Strutter” is a song written by Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley. Released as a single by Kiss in 1974 with “100,000 Years” on the flip side, it failed to make the charts. Peter Criss, the original drummer for Kiss, said “Strutter” is his favorite Kiss song. Issued on Casablanca Records, the 45 is worth up to $400.00 today.

“Plains, Trains, and Automobiles” is one of those movies that has become a Thanksgiving tradition to watch. It’s the story of Steve Martin trying to get home in time for the holiday while traveling with John Candy. In one part of the film, Candy lip-syncs to the Ray Charles classic “Mess Around.” A 78 rpm version from 1953 on a red and black Atlantic record label is worth up to $150.00. An original 45 rpm version on a yellow and black Atlantic record label is worth up to $300.00 today.

Martha Reeves and The Vandellas was Motown’s second most popular and successful girl-group of the sixties. Martha Reeves states in her autobiography that she and the Vandellas could have been more successful but were held back because Barry Gordy was obsessed with showcasing Diana Ross & the Supremes. As a result, bad feelings developed between Reeves and Ross. The 1963 album, “Come and Get These Memories,” by Martha and The Vandellas, released on Gordy Records, is worth up to $400.00 in mono. Stereo versions are worth up to $600.00 today.

Linda Scott hit the charts twelve times in the early to mid-1960’s. Her biggest hit came in 1961 with “I’ve Told Every Little Star.” It sold over a million copies. An original 45 on Canadian American Records is worth up to $40.00. More hits followed like “I Don’t Know Why” and “I Left My Heart in the Balcony.” In 1962 Congress Records released the album “Linda.” A mono copy is worth up to $75.00, up to $150.00 in stereo.

The Marvelettes was one of Motown’s most successful girl groups with hits like “Please Mr. Postman” and “Beechwood 45789.” But in 1962 they released an album where they covered the hits of other stars of the day. There are two different covers as shown here, both released by Tamla records. The one titled “The Marveletts Sing” is worth up to $300.00.(Note the last “e” is left off the spelling of their name). The same album but with the title “Marvelettes Sing Smash Hits of ’62” is worth up to $450.00.

In 1965 Mel Carter had one of the biggest hits of the year with “Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me.” The album on Imperial Records is worth up to $25.00. Two years earlier Sam Cooke signed him to Derby Records. The result was Mel’s first hit, “When a Boy Falls in Love.” The 45 is worth up to $30.00 but the album of “When a Boy Falls in Love,” released on Derby Records in 1963, is worth up to $250.00 today.

The “Beatles Second Album,” released on Capitol Records in 1964, made it to number one by knocking their first album for Capitol, “Meet the Beatles,” out of first place. Critics say it’s the best pure Rock N Roll album the Beatles ever made. A 1964 original stereo copy is worth up to $150.00 and up to $400.00 in mono. It featured their only hit for Swan records, “She Loves You.” An original copy on a white label with red print can fetch $500.00 today

Ronnie James Dio began his musical career in 1957 with Ronnie & The Red Caps. An original copy of their 45, “Lover,” shown here on the left can sell for $400.00. However, he is best known for 1980’s Heavy Metal. He was leader of his own band, Dio, and also played with Black Sabbath. Known for his powerful voice, Dio lost his life to stomach cancer in 2010. His most valuable album was released in 1963. “Dio At  Domino’s,”released on Jove Records, is worth up to $600.00 today.

In 1963 Elvis starred in the movie “It Happened at the World’s Fair.” It featured the king’s shortest hit, “One Broken Heart for Sale.” At 1:45 the single with picture sleeve can sell for $50.00. Set in Seattle at the real world’s fair, Elvis plays the part of a crop-duster. The original soundtrack, released in 1963, is worth up to $150.00 on an RCA black label. In 1968 it was re issued with an RCA orange label and a rare example of the re issue being worth more than the original. That re issue is worth up to $1,000.00 today. Many times it’s the little things that make the big difference.

Directed by Otto Preminger, “River Of No Return” was a 1954 movie starring Robert Mitchum and Marilyn Monroe. Problems like frequent rain, Monroe’s ankle injury, and Mitchum’s heavy drinking added weeks to the shooting schedule. Monroe has been quoted as saying it was her worse movie. A 1962 release of the 45 on 20^TH Century Fox can sell up to $100.00. The 78 of “River Of No Return” with “I’m Gonna File My Claim” on the flip side was released to radio in 1954 by RCA. With Marilyn Monroe’s picture on the label, it’s worth up to $300.00 today.