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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.

Out of Boston in the 1950’s came the Tune Weavers. Originally called the Tone-Weavers, they adapted the new name when a nervous MC got the original name wrong. They decided they liked it. So they kept it. In 1957 Casa Grande Records released what would become a true classic, “Happy Happy Birthday Baby.” The 45 is worth up to $150.00 today. The 78 RPM version, released on Checker Records that same year, can sell for $100.00.

In1979 George Harrison released the single, “Love Comes to Everyone.” It was the second single released that year from the album, “George Harrison.” The single never made the charts and because of its rarity, it can be quite valuable today. Issued by Dark Horse Records, the 45 with its picture sleeve, is worth up to $500.00.

The Dubs was among the great Doo Wop groups of the 1950’s. They first charted in 1957 with “Don’t Ask Me To Be Lonely.” That was followed by their most famous release, “Could This Be Magic.” Released on Gone Records, it can sell for $75.00. But before they were the Dubs, they were the Marvels. Their only record under that name came in 1956. “I Won’t Have You Breaking My Heart,” issued by ABC Paramount, is worth up to $600.00 today.

One of the lesser known girl-groups of the sixties was the Pixies Three, lost among the smash acts to come out of Philadelphia like Chubby Checker, Bobby Rydell, Fabian, Frankie Avalon, and the Orlons. The Pixies Three scored two hits for Mercury records in 1963 with “442 Glenwood Avenue” and “Birthday Party.” With picture sleeve, “Birthday Party” can sell for $75.00. Their only album for Mercury, “Party,” was released in 1964 and is worth up to $100.00 today.

In 1963, with the release of the album “The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan,” Columbia Records sent radio stations promo copies of “Blowin’ in the Wind.” A copy is worth up to $700.00. Also included was a sleeve, blank on front and a “Rebel with a Cause” description of Dylan on the back, which begins with the words “Twenty-one-year old Bob Dylan has become in one short year the most talked about folk music talent in more than a decade.” The sleeve, as shown here, is also worth up to $700.00 by itself. You can find the value for all “promo” records in “Mighty John’s Promo Records Guide,” by clicking the link in the yellow strip above.

Talking Heads began as a trio in 1975 and went on to make dance-able new-wave music. Never considered punk rockers, the band in the early years even covered music by bubble-gum greats, 1910 Fruit Gum Company. Their biggest hit came in 1983 with “Burning down the House.” But their most collectible records are the 12 inch single, “Once in a Lifetime,” and the album, “Talking Heads: 77.” Released by Sire Records in 1986, each is worth up to $100.00 today.

The Fendermen who consisted of Jim Sundquist and Paul Humphrey were each born on November 26, 1937. As you might have guessed they took their name, Fendermen, because they both played Fender guitars. On their top 10 classic, “Mule Skinner Blues,” there were no other instruments used. That 45 on Soma Records is worth no more than $20. However, the 1960 “Mule Skinner Blues” album, released on Soma Records, is worth up to $400.00 today. Note: Counterfeits have soft, flimsy covers. Original covers are rigid. All known counterfeit records are listed and described on the Mighty John Record Appraisal Guide, listing the values for over a million records. It’s available in the left hand column.

In 1969 Paul Revere & The Raiders put out a special record promoting Pontiac’s new car, “The Judge.” It had five songs, only two of which were licensed for radio airplay. The other three could only be played in a Pontiac showroom. The label pictures a Rally II wheel. The black vinyl represents the rubber. Issued by Columbia Records, a copy is worth up to $2500.00 today.

In the history of Rock N Roll there has never been a more exciting and electrifying performer than James Brown. He was the ultimate showman. Along with the Famous Flames he had his first hit with “Please Please Please.” When the Famous Flames weren’t available for his next record, that didn’t stop James. He recorded his second hit, “Try Me,” with a new group of Famous Flames. On Federal Records that 45 is worth up to $75.00.The “Try Me” album, released on King Records in 1959, is worth up to $700.00 today.