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Cathy Jean & the Roomates scored their only hit in 1960 with “Please Love Me Forever,” later a hit for Bobby Vinton. The Roomates and Cathy Jean recorded their hit without meeting each other. The Roomates hated the song and reluctantly overdubbed the harmony parts. The 45 is worth up to $40.00 but their album, “At The Hop,” which contains the hit, was released on Valmor Records and can fetch $700.00 today.

Sammy Hagar had been lead singer for Montrose but his fame really took off when he replaced David Lee Roth as lead singer for Van Halen. However, a year earlier in 1984, he scored big on his own with the classic rocker, “I Can’t Drive 55,” a protest song to the lowering of the speed limit. A red vinyl copy of the 12 inch single, as shown here, is worth up to $200.00 today.

In 1999, BMI publishing listed “Rhythm of the Rain” as the most performed song on radio and TV for the entire 20^th century. The biggest and most successful version is the original by a San Diego-based group called the Cascades.  The 45 is no more than $10.00 but their album released on Valiant Records in 1963 is worth up to $100.00 in mono and $400.00 in stereo.

In 1975, Kiss had their first gold album with “Destroyer.” With interest growing for the band, Casablanca Records decided to re-package three of their earlier albums into a 3-record set known as “Kiss the Originals.” Released in 1976, the set with Kiss Army sticker, 16-page booklet, and 6 trading cards (as shown here) is worth up to $600.00 today.

In 1964, Vee Jay Records released the Beatles 45, “Please Please Me.” Regular copies sell up to $50.00. But some copies show the Beatles’ name misspelled with an extra “T,” jumping the value up to $1,000.00. Promo copies with correct spelling are up to $1,000.00 as well. The picture sleeve that reads “The Record That Started Beatlemania” is worth up to $1,500.00 by itself.

The most successful black vocal duo of the 60’s was Sam and Dave. On stage they were electrifying. Off stage they rarely spoke to each other. Most of the 70’s weren’t good for the two performers but interest in their music was rekindled in 1979 after the Blues Brothers covered their hit “I’m a Soul Man.”  The 45 can now sell for $25.00 but the Sam & Dave album, “Hold On, I’m, Comin’,” released by Stax Records in 1966, can sell for $150.00 today.

Husband and wife, the Captain and Tennille, sold over two million records in 1975 with “Love Will Keep Us Together.” Two years earlier, Butterscotch Castle Records released “The Way I Want to Touch You.” It was a regional hit but after the success of “Love Will Keep Us Together,” it was re-released on A&M Records and became a national hit. The A&M version is worth no more than $5.00 but the first issue on Butterscotch Castle is worth up to $100.00 today.  Both versions are shown here.

With Robert Plant’s raging voice and Jimmy Page’s distorted reverbing guitar, along with members John Bonham and John Paul Jones, Led Zeppelin rocked the 70’s and beyond. By 1979 their concert ticket and album sales made them the most popular Rock and Roll band in the world. The value of their debut album on Atlantic records in 1969 depends on the color of the record label. Most red and green labels indicate a value of no more than $25.00 but a pink and tan label can make it worth up to $500.00.

Freddy Cannon was a major star in the 1960’s with hits like “Way Down Yonder in New Orleans” and “Palisades Park.” His first hit was “Tallahassee Lassie,” which is worth up to $40.00. In 1960, Swan Records released the album, “The Explosive Freddy Cannon.” It was the first album by an American Rock and Roll singer to reach #1 on the British charts. A copy can get you $100.00 today.

If you are not familiar with Delta Blues artist Skip James you should know more about the value of his records. He was on the brink of stardom when the Great Depression ended his dreams but he was re-discovered in 1964 and was finally recognized for his gift to the Blues. He recorded nine singles for Paramount from 1931-1932. Each one, like the ones shown here called “22-20 Blues,” and “Be Ready When He Comes” can sell for $10,000.00 today.