moneymusic.com

It’s hard to believe but James Brown, the “Godfather of Soul” didn’t have his first top-10 hit until 1965 with “Papa’s Got a Brand New Bag.” Rolling Stone magazine ranks the song at # 71 on its list of “The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.” The 45, released on King Records, is now worth up to $25.00. However, the album of the same name can sell for $100.00.

When it comes to value, nothing says “cash” like the king. In 1961, RCA released the Elvis single,“His Latest Flame” with “Little Sister” on the flip side. The 7 inch 45 is worth no more than $20.00. Add up to another $40.00 for the picture sleeve. However, RCA also released the record as a 7 inch 33 (same size as a 45 but playing at the speed of an album.) That version can now sell for $5,000.00. Add another $5,000.00 for the picture sleeve. All versions are shown here. Note the difference in the picture sleeves in the upper right corners, one indicating a 45, the other, below, a 33.

Ronnie Self is probably best known for the hits he wrote for Brenda Lee including “I’m Sorry” and “Sweet Nothin’s.” In 1957, over the objections of Columbia Records big-wig Mitch Miller, Ronnie Self was signed to the label. He was their first Rockabilly singer. His only charted 45 was “Bop-A-Lena.” Released in 1958, a copy can get you $75.00 but his EP, “Ain’t I’m a Dog,” from 1957 is worth up to $750.00 today.

Among the many bands to come out of San Francisco in the mid to late 60’s was Moby Grape. Their self-titled debut album caused quite a stir. Columbia records simultaneously released 8 cuts from the album as singles, greatly confusing radio programmers as which one to play. As a result, on some of the album covers (as shown here) band member Don Stephenson,seated in the middle, extended his middle finger (later airbrushed out.) The album, released in 1967, is worth up to $20.00 without the finger and up to $300.00 with the finger.

Jack Scott was one of the biggest stars of the early Rock and Roll era. His first hit was a 2-sided success with “Leroy” reaching # 11 and “My True Love” hitting #3 on the national charts in 1958. A copy of the 45 can now sell for $25.00. Six of the twelve songs on his first album became hits including “The Way I Walk.”  His first album, “Jack Scott,” was released on Carlton Records and is worth up to $300.00 today.

James Brown’s first hit was “Please Please Please.” It has become a Rhythm & Blues classic and recognized as the signature song for James Brown and The Famous Flames. Reportedly, the song came about because James Brown’s friend, Little Richard, had written please, please, please on an old napkin that he carried around and Brown felt the urge to write a song with that title. The single, released on Federal Records in 1955, is worth up to $40.00. The “Please Please Please” album was released on King Records in 1958. A copy can sell for $400.00 today.

Among the most valuable records of all time is a release from the legendary Sun record label in Memphis. “Lonesome Old Jail” with “Greyhound Blues” on the flip side was recorded and released in 1953 by Blues artist, D.A. Hunt. For 50 years, it was thought that the record was only available as a 78 but a 45 version is now known to exist. The 78 rpm record is worth up to $5,000.00 but find an original 45 and you’ve hit the jackpot. An original copy can sell for $40,000.00 today. Re issues that are not collectible do exist.

One-hit-wonders made up a major portion of the hits on the Billboard Hot 100. Such is the case for a blue-eyed soul group out of Detroit known as the Shades of Blue. They reached #2 in 1966 with a song written by Edwin Starr, the man who gave us the classic “War (What is it Good For).”The song by the Shades of Blue is “Oh How Happy (You’ve Have Made Me).” Released on Impact Records, the 45 is worth no more than $10.00 but their 1966 album, “Happiness Is,” in stereo can sell for $100.00 today.

Born into a musical family, one of Lavern Baker’s aunts was Jazz singer, Merline Johnson. Another one of her aunts was legendary Blues artist, Memphis Minnie. Lavern Baker was one of the most successful solo female singers in the early days of Rock and Roll with classics like “Jim Dandy” and “I Cried a Tear.” But her first hit came in 1955 with “Tweedle Dee.” The 45, released on Atlantic Records, is worth up to $50.00 while the “Tweedle Dee” EP can sell for $300.00 today. Both 45 and EP are pictured here.

Miles Davis was a musician, arranger, composer, producer, band leader, and the essence of what it meant to be cool. Along the way, he also introduced other Jazz greats like Sonny Rollins and Horace Silver. The Miles Davis album, “Young Man with a Horn,” released on Blue Note Records in 1952, can fetch up to $750.00 today. His “Classic Jazz” album on Capitol Records from 1953 can also sell for up to $750.00.