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Buddy Miles had an extensive, interesting career. He played with Jimi Hendrix and sang lead vocals for the California Raisins, the Claymation group from the commercials. Before he formed his own band, the Buddy Miles Express, he played with Wilson Pickett, the Electric Flag, and Santana. His biggest hit came in 1970 with “Them Changes,” which is worth no more than $10.00. His most valuable 45 is from 1975. Released on Columbia Records, “I’m Just a Kiss Away” is worth up to $200.00 today.

The Crystals was the first group that famed record producer Phil Spector signed to his Philles record label. Their only #1 hit came in 1962 with “He’s a Rebel,” written by Gene Pitney. In one of Rock and Roll’s great ironies, it’s actually a girl-group known as the Blossoms fronted by Darlene Love who recorded the giant hit. Blue label copies of the 45 are worth up to $50.00 while the album can fetch $500.00 today.

It’s an irony if not complete injustice that the only music the King of Rock and Roll ever won Grammys for was Gospel. The first came in 1957 with the release of the RCA EP, “Peace in the Valley.” An original copy is worth up to $125.00. But here’s a rare case where the re issue is worth more than the original. The RCA Gold Standard issue from 1959 with a maroon record label can sell for $750.00 today.

Singer/songwriter Jim Croce was a major star in the early 1970’s with smash hits like “You Don’t Mess Around with Jim,” Bad Bad Leroy Brown,” and “Time in a Bottle.” His hit, “I Got a Name,” sold over a million copies following his death in a plane crash in 1973. His debut album, “Facets,” was released in 1966 on his own Croce record label. An original copy is worth up to $900.00 today.

David LaFlamme once played violin with the Utah Symphony. In the late 60’s he formed the band, “It’s A Beautiful Day,” an early example of what became known as New Age music. Eventually, LaFlamme would be tossed out of the group, accused of taking too much of the royalties. The 1969 issue of the album, “It’s A Beautiful Day” on Columbia Records is worth up to $100.00. However, the 1968 release on the San Francisco Sounds label jumps the value up to $250.00.

“Rockin’ Robin” by Bobby Day was released in 1958 and is one of those songs everyone from 8-80 seems to know. The fact that it was made a hit again in 1972 by Michael Jackson does not hurt its lasting popularity. It’s ironic that “Rockin’ Robin” was first a hit by Bobby Day whose real last time is “Byrd.” The 45 is worth up to $40.00 but the album, released on Class Records, can sell for $250.00 today.

The Crests was one of the most successful Doo Wop groups of the 50’s and 60’s. With Johnny Maestro singing lead they scored their first big hit in 1958 with “16 Candles.” Find a copy on 78 rpm and $400.00 could be yours. It was followed by “The Angels Listened In” and “Trouble in Paradise.” In 1960, Coed Records released the album, “The Crests Sing All the Biggies,” where the group performs hits by other recording artists of the time. An original copy is worth up to $500.00 today.

The Marvelettes was one of Motown’s most popular girl-groups. Their first hit, “Please Mr. Postman,” was written by William Garrett, a real mail carrier. It was Motown’s first #1 record. The song stayed on the charts for almost 6 months. The single with picture sleeve is worth up to $100.00. The album on Motown’s Tamla label, is worth up to $250.00 if the record label is yellow and up to $400.00 if the label is white.

Arthur “Big Boy” Crudup might be best known as the guy, who wrote and first recorded “That’s All Right,” which became the first single in the unending career of Elvis Presley. The Elvis 45 on the Sun record label from 1954 is worth up to $1,000.00 today. Crudup was one of the many early Blues artists who never received the full royalties he was due. His 1962 album, “Mean Ol’ Frisco,” released by Fire Records, can also fetch up to $1,000.00 today.

Eric Clapton, Jack Bruce, and Ginger Baker made up the blues-rock super trio known as Cream. In just three years they sold 15 million records. Their last album for ATCO Records, “Goodbye Cream,” was released in 1969 and recorded at London’s Royal Albert Hall. It’s worth up to $30.00 if the record label is yellow. But if the label is pink and tan as shown here, the value jumps up to $350.00.