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In 1965, the Who recorded a song that expressed the anger and frustration of 1960’s teenagers. Roger Daltry stutters during the song to fit the lyrics to the music. The BBC says it is offensive to people who stutter and initially refuses to play “My Generation.”  The 45 on Decca is now worth up to $30.00. The album can get you $100.00 today.

One of the rarest Annette collectibles is the single, “Meetin’ at the Malt Shop,” from 1958. It’s unique in the sense that Annette is not heard on the record. Her name is listed only because she is pictured on the sleeve and mentioned on the label. The picture sleeve also shows Tim Considine, best known for the Disney serial, “Spin and Marty,” and as one of Fred McMurray’s sons on “My Three Sons.” A copy of the record and picture sleeve, released on Disneyland Records, is worth up to $600.00 today.

The hits began for Lou Christie in 1962 with “The Gypsy Cried.” That was followed by more smash singles, “Two Faces Have I” and “Lightnin’ Strikes.” Next up would be his last hit. “Rhapsody in the Rain” would also become his most controversial. Some radio stations wouldn’t play the version with the lyrics that included “makin’ out in the rain.” Versions had to be re-cut replacing the objectionable lyrics with “fell in love in the rain.” Despite that, Christies next single, “If My Car Could Only Talk” continued the passion of the two lovers in “Rhapsody in the Rain.” The 45 of “If My Car Could Talk,” released my M-G-M records in 1966, is now worth up to $400.00 with its picture sleeve.

In 1975, Freddy Fender hit #1 on both the Billboard Hot Country Singles Chart and the Billboard Hot 100 with “Before the Next Teardrop Falls.” He followed up with another million-seller called “Wasted Days and Wasted Nights.” That song was first recorded by Freddy in 1959 on Duncan records. However, upon his conviction for marijuana in 1960, the song and his popularity faded. But it’s hard to keep a good man and good song down. The version on ABC/Dot from 1975 that sold a million copies is worth no more than $5.00 while that 1959 original on Duncan Records can sell for $150.00 today.

Topps is best known for its chewing gum that came with baseball cards, football cards, and various other sports trading-cards. Their most popular gum is Bazooka. Lesser known products issued by Topps with chewing gum are records, which were 6 inch picture discs like “I Can’t Help Myself” by the Four Tops and “My World is Empty Without You” by the Supremes. Released by Topps in 1967, each is worth up to $150.00 today.

One of the classic Pop songs of the early Rock N Roll era was “Lollipop.” Reportedly, songwriter Julius Dixon was late for a recording session as a result of his daughter getting a lollipop stuck in her hair. Thus, an inspiration for a song was born. First recorded by Ronald and Ruby, the song hit the charts in 1957. However, it’s the version by the Chordettes that most remember. Their single hit #2 in 1958. Released on Cadence Records, the 45 is worth up to $50.00 while the 78 rpm version can sell for $100.00 today.

Many say George Jones was the greatest Country music singer of all time. Waylon Jennings was quoted as saying, “If we could all sound like we wanted to, we’d all sound like George Jones.” With more than 150 hits, Jones is best known for the Country classic “He Stopped Loving Her Today.” Known for his alcohol and drug abuse, and being a no-show at many of his concerts, George Jones is still held in high regard for all those who knew and worked with him. In 1966, Starday Records released the 2-record set “The George Jones Story.” A copy is worth up to $400.00 today.

On October 6, 2011, “We Built This City on Rock and Roll” by Starship, is voted worst song of the 1980’s in a poll in Rolling Stone magazine. Its $5.00 value may attest to that. Before the band was Starship, it was known as Jefferson Starship. Before that it was Jefferson Airplane and that’s where the money is. The album, “Jefferson Airplane Takes Off,” released in 1966 on RCA, can sell for $75.00 if there are 11 tracks on the album. However, if a copy has 12 tracks, the value can jump to $500.00 in mono and $700.00 in stereo.

“Layla” is one of the great classics in Rock history. it was written by Eric Clapton and Jim Gordon. Released by Derek and the Dominos on ATCO Records in 1971, it featured both Clapton and Duane Allman on guitar. The 45 is worth no more than $10.00 but the “Layla” album, released on Polydor Records in 1974, can sell for $125.00 today.

One of Rock N Roll’s first female songwriters was Jackie De Shannon. She had hits with “Needles and Pins” and “When You Walk in the Room” before both were hits for the Searchers. Among her biggest chart-makers are “What the World Needs Now” and “Put a Little Love in Your Heart.” Her only single to be released with a picture sleeve is “Faded Love” from 1963. Released on Liberty Records, the 45 with sleeve is worth up to $100.00 today.