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One of the greatest love songs of all time is one of Elvis Presley’s greatest hits. “Can’t Help Falling in Love” was featured in one of his most popular movies, “Blue Hawaii.” The 45, released by RCA in 1961, is worth up to $50.00 with its picture sleeve. However, RCA also released the single as a 7 inch 33, which is the size of a 45 but plays at the speed of an album. As seen here in the middle, it’s worth up to $8,000.00. The picture sleeve for the 7 inch 33, as seen here on the right, can get you an additional $8,000.00.

The Dovells, led by Len Barry, had their first big hit in 1961 with the million-selling “Bristol Stomp,” which reached #2 on the Billboard Hot 100. Two years later the group reached #3 with “You Can’t Sit Down,” which was a vocal version of the 1961 instrumental hit by Phil Upchurch. The Dovells’ 45, released on Parkway Records in 1963, is worth up to $30.00 while their “You Can’t Sit Down” album can sell for $100.00 today.

“Bonanza” was one of TV’s most popular and successful series, running for 14 years. But the Cartwrights were also recording artists. Ben Cartwright (Lorne Greene) hit #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1964 with “Ringo,” a song about the outlaw Johnny Ringo. But the album on RCA is worth no more than $20.00. However, Hoss Cartwright (Dan Blocker) had an album in 1961 called “Tales for Young ‘Uns.” Released on Trey Records, its worth up to $100.00. And Little Joe (Michael Landon) put out the single “Gimme a Little Kiss” in 1962. Released on Fono Graf Records, the 45 with picture sleeve can sell for $125.00 today.

Rolling Stone Magazine’s list of the top 100 guitarists ranks Eric Clapton at #2, Jimmy Page at #3, and Jeff Beck at #5. It’s amazing to think that at one time they were all together in the Yardbirds with 1960’s hits such as “For Your Love,” “Heart Full of Soul,” and “Over Under Sideways Down.” The “Over Under Sideways Down” album, released on Epic Records in 1966, is worth up to $40.00 in stereo and up to $100.00 in mono. However, the Canadian issue (as seen on the right) released in 1965 on Capitol Records can get you $500.00 today.

In 1965, the Byrds hit #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 with the Bob Dylan song, “Mr. Tambourine Man.” The 45 on Columbia Records is worth no more than $15.00. However, an early version of the Byrds, including members David Crosby, Gene Clark, and Jim McGuinn, was called the Beefeaters. They released a single in 1964 called “Please Let Me Love You.” Released on Elektra Records, a copy can get you $400.00 today.

The Angels had their biggest hit in 1963 with “My Boyfriend’s Back,” a song they originally recorded as a demo for the most popular girl-group of the day, the Shirelles. But the demo was so good by the Angels that they got to release it. The Angels did have success prior to “My Boyfriends’ Back” with minor hits like “Til” and “Cry Baby Cry” (a $40.00 value) for Caprice Records. Those songs can be found on the Angel’s first album called “And the Angels Sing.” Released in 1962, a copy can get you $150.00 today.

“Sweet Home Chicago” was among the classics performed by the Blues Brothers, John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd, on record and in the “Blues Brothers” movie. The song has been recorded by several recording artists including the hit version in 1959 by Little Junior Parker. Released by Duke Records, a copy can sell for $75.00 today. However, the first release by the great Robert Johnson is a huge collectible. Issued as a 78 on Vocalion Records in 1937, it’s worth up to $10,000.00.

Novelty records, in general, tend not to be very collectible. But, as with most everything, there are exceptions. In a case of if-at-first-you-don’t-succeed-try-try-again, the Doo-Wop group, the Devotions, scored their one big hit with “Rip Van Winkle.” First released on Delta Records in 1961, the song was a bust. Roulette Records released the song again in 1962. Still no success. But in 1964, Roulette gave it one more try and it became a top-40 hit on the Billboard Hot 100. The Roulette release is worth up to $15.00 but the original issue on Delta Records can get you $150.00 today.

“The Parent Trap” first came to the silver screen in 1961. Starring Haley Mills in a double role as twins, the Disney movie was nominated for two Academy Awards. A song from the movie called “Let’s Get Together” went top-10 on the Billboard Hot 100 for Haley Mills. With picture sleeve, it’s worth up to $40.00 while the “The Parent Trap” title song and “Let’s Get Together” by Tommy Sands and Annette, released by Buena Vista Records as a 7 inch 33, is worth up to $500.00 with its picture sleeve.

The Cyrkle was a popular 60’s band who often appeared with the Beatles on their U.S. tours. But it was Paul Simon who gave them their biggest break when the Cyrkle was on tour with Simon and Garfunkel. The song Simon co-wrote was “Red Rubber Ball,” which the Cyrkle brought all the way to #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1966. Released on Columbia Records, a commercial copy of the 45 is worth no more than $10.00, but a red vinyl promo copy can sell for $100.00 today. Mighty John’s Promo Guide lists all promos that are worth more than a commercial copy. For more free examples, click on “Mighty John’s Promo Guide” in the yellow strip above.