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The most successful group of the 50’s was the Platters. Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990, they were reluctantly signed by Mercury records in 1955 as part of a deal to sign the Penguins who had just scored big with “Earth Angel.” However, the Penguins never had another big hit while the Platters went on to have three #1 hits plus eighteen other singles that made the charts. Their first hit, “Only You,” was released by Federal Records in 1955 and is worth up to $300.00 as a single. Their 1957 album, “The Platters,” on Federal Records, featuring “Only You,” can sell for $1,000.00 today.

Country Joe and the Fish was one of the first political, psychedelic bands to emerge in the late 60’s with classics like “Feel-Like-I’m-Fixin’-To-Die Rag,” which can sell for $20.00, and the famous “Fish Cheer.” Their 1967 album, “Electric Music for the Mind and Body,” released on Vanguard Records, is worth up to $100.00 today.

James Cotton, leader of the James Cotton Blues Band, was only nine-years old when he heard his idol Sonny Boy Williamson on the radio. Cotton later sought out Williamson and for six years played harmonica with his hero. Cotton then joined the legendary Howlin Wolf followed by twelve years with Muddy Waters. James Cotton’s 1954 single for Sun Records Called “My Baby” is worth up to $2,500.00. Cotton’s single “Cotton Crop Blues” on Sun, also from 1954, can sell for $3,500.00 today.

The Zombies were among the groups who rode the wave of the British Invasion. Forming their band at St. Albans school in England, they had just about given up when they won a contest, which led to a recording contract with Decca Records. That led to the single “She’s Not There.” In the U.S. it reached #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1964. A copy of the 45 is worth up to $15.00. The Zombies’ first album in the U.S. was called “The Zombies” and released on Parrot Records in 1965 and is worth up to $75.00 in mono and $100.00 in stereo.

Among the most valuable records are Doo Wop, and among the most popular Doo Wop groups of the 50’s was the Del-Vikings, one of the first groups to include black as wells as white members. They were Air Force personnel stationed in Pittsburgh. Because various members were transferred to other bases, several different members came and went. Their biggest hit was “Come Go With Me” in 1957. Most copies were sold on Dot Records and worth up to $40.00. However, first issues were on Fee Bee Records and can sell for $500.00 today. Both original labels are shown here.

Alice Cooper, a pioneer of Shock Rock, chopped up rubber dolls and simulated executions on stage while draping a live boa constrictor around his neck. He is entertaining! In 1972 he released “School’s Out,” his first major hit but worth no more than $10.00. The album, released by Warner Brothers, came with paper panties, but that’s only part of what makes it collectible. The big value depends on the back cover. If the song titles are listed on the back, the album is worth up to $100.00 with the paper panties. If the back cover does not list titles, then hold on to your panties. It can get you $500.00 today.

Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller were among the most sought after songwriters of the 50’s and 60’s. They wrote enough hits to fill a Broadway show. The title of that show is the same as one of their earliest hits, “Smokey Joe’s Café.” The single was recorded by the Robins whose members Carl Gardner and Bobby Nunn became part of one of Rock and Roll’s most popular groups,the Coasters. The 45 of “Smokey Joe”s Cafe” can  sell for $150.00 today. The 78 for $250.00.

“Surfin’ Bird” is one of those songs you hear once and either love it or hate it. Recorded by the Trashmen, it went all the way to #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1965 even though many radio stations refused to play it. The song has been used on soundtracks for movies such as “Full Metal Jacket” and TV shows like “Family Guy.” The “Surfin’ Bird” 45 is worth up to $25.00. But the album, released on Soma/Garrett Records, is worth up to $100.00 in mono and $200.00 in stereo.

Young Roy Orbison played mostly Country music with his band, the Wink Westerners. However, a college friend and future hit-maker, Pat Boone, urged Roy to lean more toward the new music craze called Rock and Roll. Orbison then formed a new band called the Teen Kings and released his first 45, “Ooby Dooby,” on Je-wel Records in 1955. An original copy can sell for $1,200.00 today. Counterfeits exist and look identical. Contact us if in doubt. The single was later released on Sun Records in 1956 and that version is worth up to $150.00 today.

Its said that “Do You Love Me” was a song originally meant for the Temptations but when they weren’t available the Contours stepped in and created a classic and a Billboard top-5 hit in 1962. In 1988, the song was featured in the Patrick Swayze movie “Dirty Dancing” and became a hit all over again. The original “Do You Love Me” 45, released on Gordy Records, can fetch $40.00. The original album can get you $300.00 today.