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Originally known as the Starlettes, the Angels had their biggest hit with a song they sang as a demo meant for the Shirelles, but the Angels’ demo sounded so good their version was released and “My Boyfriend’s Back” was a Billboard Hot 100 #1 hit in 1963. Lesser hits followed like “Dream Boy,” which with its picture sleeve can sell up to $100.00. The same is true for the album “A Halo for You,” containing the single.  Both the 45 and the album were released by Smash Records.

In August of 1957, the Del-Vikings had 3 hits on the charts at the same time. Only Elvis Presley had done that before and it didn’t happen again until the Beatles did it in 1964. Among those Del-Vikings hits was “Whispering Bells.” Most copies can be found on the Dot record label and are worth up to $25.00. But original issues on the Fee Bee record label can fetch $500.00 today.

Del Shannon is best known for his 1961 Billboard Hot 100 #1 hit, “Runaway.” He followed up with “Hats Off to Larry,” a #5 chart-buster. He was the first American to record a Beatles song with “From Me to You.” His third and final hit came in 1962 with “Little Town Flirt.” The 45, released by Big Top Records, is worth up to $25.00. The “Little Town Flirt” album can sell for $100.00 today.

Song-writing team Ashford & Simpson wrote “The Boss” for Diana Ross in 1979 during the Disco craze. It resulted in a return to the charts for Ross after a long absence. Ashford & Simpson also sang back-up. The 45 is not a big collectible at no more than $5.00. A black vinyl copy of “The Boss” album, released by Motown, is no more than $10.00 but find a copy of the album on yellow vinyl as seen here and the value jumps up to $100.00.

Location! Location! Location! That phrase describes the necessity of being in the right place to maximize profit. Chancellor Records was in the right place, Philadelphia, and the right time when American Bandstand took off like a rocket in the late 1950’s. Chancellor stars Frankie Avalon and Fabian didn’t have far to go to get to the Bandstand studios where Dick Clark would make them teen idols. In 1960, Chancellor Records put their two stars on one album. An original copy of “The Hit Makers” is worth up to $100.00 today.

In 1962 Tommy Roe hit # 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 with a song which was reminiscent of Buddy Holly’s “Peggy Sue.” Only Tommy’s song was “Sheila.” He was thought of mostly as a “bubblegum” singer with hits like “Dizzy,” “Hooray for Hazel,” and “Sweet Pea.” But to a record collector, which is worth more, Buddy’s Peggy Sue or Tommy’s Sheila. The 45 of “Sheila” on ABC Paramount is worth up to $20.00. The 45 of “Peggy Sue” on Coral records is worth up to $50.00. But the “Sheila” album is worth up to $125.00. There was no “Peggy Sue” album but if there were, I’m guessing Buddy Holly would have come out on top in value.

Following the success of “The One Who Really Loves You” and “You Beat Me to the Punch,” Mary Wells had her third hit with the Smokey Robinson composition “Two Lovers.” The single went top-10 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1962. In 1964, Mary Wells, the first lady of Motown, had her biggest hit with “My Guy.” The “Two Lovers” 45, released by Motown, is worth up to $50.00 while the “Two Lovers” album can sell for $125.00 today. Both are shown here.