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In 1959, before he started the Motown super group, the Miracles, Smokey Robinson recorded with Ron White for Tamla records. The single “It” by Ron and Bill (Smokey Robinson) is worth up to $300.00. That same year Smokey Robinson & the Miracles recorded “Bad Girl.” It was the first single released under the now famous Motown record label.  A copy can sell for $1,500.00 today.

In 1959, Elvis Presley took a Smiley Lewis hit from 1956 and made it his own. The song, “One Night,” by Smiley Lewis had the lyrics “One night of sin is what I’m now praying for.” Elvis, his manager Col.Parker, and RCA felt the lyrics were too suggestive for the king. For Elvis, the lyrics were changed to “One night with you is what I’m now praying for.” It was another double-sided hit for Elvis with “I Got Stung” on the flip side. With picture sleeve the 45 is worth up to $100.00. Find a copy on a 78 as seen here and up to $850.00 could be yours.

When it comes to the value of those old 78’s, nothing brings the green like the Blues. In 1928 Victor Records released “Cool Drink of Water Blues” by Tommy Johnson, now worth up to $3,000.00. In 1931 Paramount Records released “Flaggin’ it to Georgia” by Jaydee Short. Find a copy and up to $20,000.00 could be yours.

Without a doubt the most successful girl-group of the 50’s and early 60’s was the Shirelles. It started with “I Met Him on a Sunday” in 1958. More hits followed like “Dedicated to the One I Love,” “Will You Love Me Tomorrow,” “Baby It’s You,” and “Soldier Boy.” In 1961 they went top 10 with “Mama Said (There’d be Days like This)”. The 45 is worth up to $40.00 but the album its on, “The Shirelles Sing to Trumpets and Strings,” released on Scepter Records, is worth up to $100.00 today.

Carl Perkins, who was a member of the famous Million Dollar Quartet along with Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, and Jerry Lee Lewis, is best known for his classic hit, “Blue Suede Shoes,” which is worth up to $125.00 today. However, his first record, “Movie Magg,” was written when he was 13. It’s about taking his girlfriend, Maggie, to the movies. Released on Flip Records in 1955, the 45 can now sell for $1,500.00.

The Youngbloods, led by Jessie Colin Young, had their first album “The Youngbloods” in 1967. It contained “Get Together,” which became a top-10 Billboard Hot 100 hit two years later after getting exposure on a TV public service announcement promoting brotherhood. The album, released by RCA, was issued with two different covers. Those featuring a watercolor painting are worth up to $100.00. Covers showing a photo montage of the band are up to $200.00 today.

Born in Chicago in 1909, Benny Goodman grew up to be the “king of swing.” Many major recording stars got their start with his band in the 1930’s and 1940’s. In 1934 Columbia Records released the Benny Goodman 78, “Riffin the Scotch.” What really adds to the value of this single is the singing voice of 18-year-old Billie Holiday. It was her first appearance on record. Current value is up to $1,000.00. She also sang on Benny Goodman’s other single from 1934. That 78 called “Your Mother’s Son-In-Law” is worth up to $1,000.00 as well.

Ike & Tina Turner were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1991. For 30 years prior to that they had given James Brown a run for his money as the most exciting performers in show business. It was Ike who took the singer known as Little Ann and gave her the name Tina Turner. He liked that Tina rhymed with Sheena because “Sheena, Queen of the Jungle” was his favorite TV show. Several of Ike & Tina’s albums are collectible such as “Don’t Play Me Cheap” and “It’s Gonna Work Out Fine.” Released on Sue records in 1963, a copy of either can sell for $400.00 today.

Richard Burton starred as Alexander in the 1956 movie, “Alexander the Great.” A student of Aristotle, Alexander was a Macedonian king who united the Greeks, creating an empire that reached from the Balkans to India. On his deathbed, he willed his empire “to the strongest.” The soundtrack was composed by Mario Nascimbene. Released on Mercury Records, an original copy is worth up to $200.00 today. “Alexander the Great” is just one of the 10,000 soundtracks listed on our Soundtracks CD, covering movies, TV shows, and Broadway shows. It’s available in the left hand column.

The Rolling Stones have many collectible records, especially for some of the picture sleeves that came with their 45’s. In 1978 they released the single, “Beast of Burden.” The record is worth no more than $10.00 but the picture sleeve is worth up to $3,000.00. Beware: counterfeits exist. Originals are a light lavender color. Known counterfeits are more of a grape or purple color. All known counterfeit records are listed and described in the Mighty John Record Appraisal Guide on CD.