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Dressed as a cowboy on the album cover, Bo Diddley’s 5^TH  album was called “Bo Diddley is a Gunslinger.” The album not only includes the “Gunslinger” single but also “Sixteen Tons,” first made famous by Tennessee Ernie Ford. Bo Diddley was invited on the Ed Sullivan Show to sing “Sixteen Tons,” but he surprised Sullivan on the live Sunday night broadcast by singing “Bo Diddley” instead. Sullivan was not amused. The “Gunslinger” single can sell for $25.00 today but the “Gunslinger” album, released on Checker Records in 1961, is worth up to $200.00 today.

In 1968 Apple Records signed the band, Badfinger, when they were known as the Iveys. As Badfinger, they had 4 hits in a row from 1970 to 1972. Their first chart-buster was “Come and Get It” written by Paul McCartney. That was followed by “No Matter What,” “Day After Day,” and “Baby Blue.” Their one record as the Iveys was “Maybe Tomorrow.” Released on Apple Records in 1969, the 45 is worth up to $30.00. However, it was also issued as a 4-inch pocket-disc. That version can sell for $400.00 today. Both versions are shown here.

In the 1950’s, End Records was a very successful label with recording artists like Little Anthony & the Imperials, the Dubs, the Chantels, and many other Doo Wop stars of the day. In 1958, End Records released the album “Rock and Roll Jamboree,” featuring the singers mentioned above along with others. Albums with various songs by various recording artists can be worth money, in this case up to $200.00. Find the value for all albums with various hits by various recording artists on the Mighty John Compilation Album Price Guide on CD, available in the left hand column.

Tom Rush was a major part of the Folk music movement in the 60’s as a songwriter and performer. It all began for him while he attended Harvard in 1961. It was through his performances there that two superstars, James Taylor and Joni Mitchell, first gained recognition. Many of his early recordings are also those of Appalachia.  The first album for Tom Rush was released in 1962 by LyCornnu Records. An original copy of “At the Unicorn” is worth up to $250.00 today.

The EP (extended play), which are 7 inch albums, were a staple of the early Rock and Roll era. In 1957, Cadence Records released two EP’s by the Everly Brothers. The first features their hits “Wake Up Little Susie” and “Bye Bye Love.” Vol.2 features “This Little Girl of Mine” and “Be-Bop-A-Lula.” Each EP, as shown here,can get you $100.00 today.

Todd Rundgren formed his band Runt in 1970 consisting of himself and Hunt and Tony Sales, the sons of Soupy Sales. But with Rundgren performing as a solo artist on most Runt albums, Todd Rundgren and Runt have come to be perceived as the same artist. On the Runt album, “The Ballad of Todd Rundgren,” Hunt Sales plays only on two cuts and only Rundgren is pictured on the cover. The original album, released on Ampex/Bearsville records in 1971, is worth up to $100.00 today.

One-hit wonder Gene Allison started out like so many other black performers in the early years of Rock and Roll by singing in the choir of a local church. His one big contribution to music history came in 1957 with the Blues hit, “You Can Make It If You Try.” On Vee Jay Records the 45 can fetch $25.00. It made him enough money to open up a Soul-food restaurant in Nashville. His 1958 album “Gene Allison,” released on Vee Jay Records, is worth up to $75.00 if the record label is black but up to $200.00 if the record label is maroon. There are so many factors that can make the same records worth different amounts of money and all those factors are described in “Mighty John’s Record Appraisal Guide.”

Annette was the reason most boys watched the Mickey Mouse Club in the 1950’s. In the 1960’s her singing and other noted attributes were featured in a number of “beach” movies with co-star Frankie Avalon. The story-lines are forgettable but these films live on in pop culture. In 1963 Buena Vista Records released the album “Annette’s Beach Party.” A copy can sell for $100.00 today. The single from the album “Treat Him Nicely” along with “Promise Me Anything” can get you up to $250.00 with the picture sleeve. Both album and picture sleeve for the 45 are shown here, each featuring Annette’s autographed surfboard.

Steve Gibson with the Red Caps is a band known by many record collectors but not so much by others. The group began in 1943 and by the 1950’s had developed a tremendous following in clubs throughout the country. But their popularity in live performances didn’t coincide with record sales. They seemed trapped in a limbo between the Big Band era and the fledgling Rock and Roll era. In 1952, Mercury Records released the album “Blueberry Hill” by Steve Gibson with the Red Caps. An original copy can sell for $400.00 today.

The most successful songwriter for Motown is Smokey Robinson. Besides writing hits for his own group, the Miracles, he did the same for Mary Wells, the Marvelettes, the Contours, the Supremes, and Marvin Gaye. He also wrote hits for the Temptations like “The Way You Do the Things You Do” and “My Girl.” In 1965 the Temptations showed their appreciation for Smokey Robinson by recording the album “The Temptations Sing Smokey.” Released on Motown’s Gordy record label, a copy is worth up to $125.00 today.