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It was Les Paul who first taught chords on a guitar to a very young Steve Miller. The album, “Children of the Future,” by the Steve Miller Band was instrumental in the economics for future recording artists. Miller paved the way by demanding a record-breaking advance and huge royalty rate. Released in 1968 on Capital Records, the album became a staple for newly emerging progressive FM radio stations. It’s worth up to $150.00 today.

Among Elvis Presley’s number one hits is “Good Luck Charm,” spending two weeks at the top of the charts in 1962. Most 45’s are not worth much more than $10.00. However, RCA also released “Good Luck Charm” as a stereo 7 inch 33 (the size of a 45 but playing at the speed of an album). It has the small album hole in the middle as shown here. The record is worth up to $10,000.00. The picture sleeve as shown here is also worth up to $10,000.00.

Louie Armstrong or “Satchmo” was a giant on the music scene in the 20th century. From the most humble of beginnings in the poorest section of New Orleans, Armstrong rose to the top of his profession. His two biggest hits were 1963’s “Hello Dolly” and “What A Wonderful World” in 1988. One of his first recordings came in 1926. “Big Fat Ma And Skinny Pa,” released on Okeh Records, is worth up to $400.00 today. Also from 1926 is the single “Heebie Jeebies,” which is now valued up to $1,000.00.

Many singers and groups recorded under various names before they hit it big. Sonny & Cher were Caesar & Cleo. Paul Simon recorded as Paul Kane and several records as Jerry Landis. Creedence Clearwater Revival was known as the Golliwogs. In 1968, Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham recorded “What the World Needs Now” as Sincerely, San Jose. Released on Karma Records that 45 is worth up to $750.00 today.

Pat Boone chalked up 32 hits in his super successful career beginning in 1955 with a cover version of Fats Domino’s “Ain’t It a Shame.” Among his biggest hits are “April Love” and “Love Letters in the Sand.” Many of his hits, with picture sleeves, are worth up to $50.00. In 1964, Dot Records released the Pat Boone single, “Beach Girl.” It wasn’t much of a hit but its worth up to $100.00 today.

Annette Funicello was the heartthrob of every teenage boy in the late 50’s and early 60’s. She was also a hit-making machine with songs like “Tall Paul” and “First Name Initial.” Ten of her records are worth up to $100.00 each or more like “Teenage Wedding.” Released by Buena Vista Records in 1963, the single is worth up to $75.00. Add up to another $400.00 for the picture sleeve.

The band, Kansas, has sold a lot of records. Their first million seller was the album “Leftoverage” in 1976, which featured their top 10 hit, “Carry On Wayward Son.” A year later their “Point Of No Return” album went platinum. It contained the smash hit, “Dust In The Wind.” A picture disc version of their album “Point of No Return,” released by Kirschner Records, is worth up to $100.00 today.“Point of No Return” by Kansas is just one of the picture discs you’ll find listed on our Picture Discs Price Guide on CD. It’s available in the left hand column.

The original recording of “Barbara Ann” was by the Regents in 1961. It reached number 13 on the Billboard charts, but the cover version by the Beach Boys, with Brian Wilson and Dean Torrence of Jan and Dean doing the lead vocals, reached number 2 in 1965. The Regents version on Cousins Records can fetch up to $500.00. The Beach Boys 45 on Capitol Records, with its picture sleeve, is worth up to $150.00 today.

In 1977 RCA released the Elvis album, “Moody Blue.” He died shortly thereafter. The album can be quite valuable depending on the color of the vinyl. 95% are blue in color and worth no more than $25.00. A black vinyl copy is worth up to $200.00. If you have or find a copy where the record is green or red, the value jumps to $1,000.00.

Arthur Alexander was one of those recording artists who should have been given more credit for his impact on those to follow. In 1962 he had his first hit with “You Better Move On,” which is valued up to $25.00. It was later covered by the Rolling Stones and even George Jones. His next biggest hit was “Anna” in 1962, which was later covered by the Beatles on their first album in the U.S.,”Introducing the Beatles.” In 1962, Dot Records released the “You Better Move On” album, worth up to $125.00 today.