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Mickey & Sylvia had one of the biggest hits of 1956 with “Love is Strange.” Released on Groove Records, a copy of the 45 is worth up to $50.00. But you can’t say Sylvia Vanderpool is a one-hit-wonder as she went on to produce hits like “Love On a Two Way Street” for the Moments in 1970 and “Shame Shame Shame” for Shirley & Company in 1975. In 1973, Sylvia also recorded the hit, “Pillow Talk,” which went to #3 on the Billboard Hot 100. Her debut album with Mickey, “New Sounds,” was released by Vik Records in 1957 and can sell for $350.00 today.

The Spencer Davis Group is best known for hits like “Gimme Some Lovin’” and “I’m a Man.” Best known member of the band is Stevie Winwood who in 1967 would leave Spencer Davis to form the band known as Traffic. Winwood would also go on to produce for diverse bands like Dire Straits and the Bay City Rollers.  Their hit 45’s are not too collectible, up to $10.00 each. The most valuable album from the Spencer Davis Group is called “Spencer Davis.” Released in 1967 on Stone Records, a copy is worth up to $200.00 today.

One of the great one-hit-wonders of the early Rock and Roll era is “Sorry (I Ran All the Way Home)” by the Impalas, a vocal group from Brooklyn. It was the legendary Dee Jay Alan Freed who got them a recording contract. The 45 is worth up to $25.00 if it shows the title as “Sorry (I Ran All the Way Home” but up to $100.00 if the label reads “I Ran All the Way Home” as shown here. Their one and only album was released by Cub Records in 1959. A mono copy is worth up to $350.00. A stereo version can sell for $500.00 today.

Bobby Darin was truly a man of many talents. He was a 1950’s teen idol, a swinging Big Band crooner in the style of Frank Sinatra, a Blues singer rivaling Ray Charles, and a successful actor. Darin was nominated for an Academy Award for his role in “Capt. Newman M.D.” He was also somewhat of a psychic, predicting that he would die at an early age. He was only 37 when his heart gave out. His 1960 album, “Bobby Darin for Teenagers Only,” released on ATCO Records, is worth up to $150.00 today. His biggest hit from the album “Somebody to Love” can fetch $40.00 with its picture sleeve.

“The 7^TH Voyage of Sinbad,” released by Columbia Pictures in 1958, was the first in a series of Sinbad movies. It featured the animation of the legendary Ray Harryhausen. Starring Kerwin Matthews and Kathryn Grant, the original soundtrack on Colpix Records can sell for $200.00 today. “The 7^TH Voyage of Sinbad” is just one of the 10,000 soundtracks listed on our Soundtracks CD, covering movies, TV, and Broadway shows. It’s available in the left hand column.

One of Rock and Roll’s greatest anthems of the 50’s is “At the Hop” by Danny & the Juniors. Supposedly, it was Dick Clark who suggested the original title of “Do the Bop” be changed to “At the Hop.” First released on Philadelphia’s local label, Singular, the 45 is worth up to $400.00 where the label is blue. A black Singular label would be no more than $15.00. Copies on ABC Paramount are worth up to $40.00. However, the “At the Hop” EP, as seen here on ABC Paramount, can also fetch $400.00 today.

Following the death of his singing partner, Tammi Terrell, Motown superstar, Marvin Gaye, fell into a deep depression. After years of well-crafted top-40 airplay it was a song of political consciousness that brought him out of the doldrums. “What’s Going On” was released in 1971. Ironically, it was the first album on which Motown’s studio band, the Funk Brothers, were given credit. Released on Motown’s subsidiary Tamla label, the album is worth up to $100.00 today. His 1967 red vinyl single, “If This World Were Mine,” with Tammi Terrell can now sell for $500.00.

Dick Dale, originally from Boston, is credited with being the earliest pioneer of Surf music, which blossomed after he moved to California. He is known as the “King of the Surf Guitar.” His 1958 hit, “Miserlou,” on Deltone Records is worth up to $200.00 today. It gained prominence again in 1994 when it was featured in the movie, “Pulp Fiction.” Surf music and Hot Rod music were Dick Dale’s mainstays. His 1964 album, “Mr. Eliminator,” released on Capitol Records, is worth up to $125.00 in mono and $250.00 in stereo.

Smokey Robinson is as important to the Motown story as its founder, Barry Gordy. Bob Dylan has called Smokey Robinson “America’s greatest living poet.” With the Miracles, Smokey had 27 top-40 hits and many more as a solo performer. In 1961, Tamla Records, a division of Motown, released the album “Cookin’ with the Miracles.” Copies with a yellow record label are worth up to $350.00 while a white record label copy as seen here can get you $800.00 today.

Johnny Horton had several big hits in the late 50’s and early 60’s such as “The Battle of New Orleans,” “Sink the Bismarck,” and “North to Alaska.” Like his idol Hank Williams, Johnny lost his life in a car accident. Ironically, Hank’s widow, Billie Jean Jones, was married to Johnny Horton when he lost his life the same way Hank did. The most valuable 45 by Johnny Horton is “They Shined up Rudolph’s Nose.” Released by Columbia Records in 1959, a copy with picture sleeve can sell for $400.00 today.