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On July 14, 1989, Judge Judy, then on the New York Family Court, orders Tom Jones to pay child support to Katherine Berkerly. His 1965 album, “It’s Not Unusual,” on Parrot Records could help him recoup some payments. Copies showing Tom outdoors can sell for $25.00 but covers of the same album showing Tom with his band can go for $100.00 today.

Without a doubt, Northern Soul is among the most collectible genres of vinyl records. Those obscure Soul records from the 1960’s and 1970’s continue to fetch big bucks. In 1976, Look-Out Records released the 45, “She’s Gone,” by the Hamilton Movement. An original copy can get you $4,000.00 today. Margaret Little’s “Love Will Find a Way,” released on Genebro Records in 1960, is now worth up to $8,000.00.

Rolling Stone lists “My Generation” by the Who at #11 on their list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. The song is an anthem for the break from Peter Townsend’s stodgier elders and a claim on his own time and the “me” generation. The most famous line from the song is “I Hope I Die Before I get Too Old.” The single, released on Decca Records in 1965, is worth up to $30.00 but the “My Generation” album can get you $100.00 today.

Everybody’s favorite talking-horse is Mr. Ed. The TV show ran for 5 years from 1961-1966. Mr. Ed was played by a horse whose real name was Bamboo Harvester. In 1962, Golden Records released, “Straight From the Horse’s Mouth.” It’s worth no more than $25.00, but that same year Colpix Records issued the “Mr. Ed” soundtrack featuring skits and dialogue from the show. A copy can get you $250.00 today. “Mister Ed” is just one of the 10,000 soundtracks listed on our Soundtracks Guide in Microsoft Word, covering movies, TV shows, and Broadway shows. It’s available on a flash drive in the left hand column.

Alabama, one of Country music’s most popular bands of all time, formed in 1969 with Randy Owens and Terry Gentry. In the 1980’s they had over two dozen # 1 hits on the Country charts including “If You’re Gonna Play in Texas (You Gotta Have a Fiddle in the Band.” They were the only strictly-Country band to appear on Dick Clark’s “American Bandstand.” They released their first album, “Alabama Band No.3,” in 1978 on both Alabama and MDJ Records. Either can sell for $400.00 today.

“Holy Rock N Roll, Batman!” Did he really sing while protecting Gotham City from the Penguin, the Riddler, and the Joker? Well, let the bat light shine on a single from 1966 called “Miranda.” It wasn’t a hit. Even the radio stations in Gotham City wouldn’t play it. It was the only single for Adam West. He probably hid in the Bat cave after that. Nonetheless, the 45 of “Miranda,” released on 20^th Century Fox Records in 1966, is worth up to $250.00. Add up to $1,500.00 for the picture sleeve.

In 1978, Bon Scott of AC/DC proclaimed in song his love for a woman named Rosie who he described as a Tasmanian devil weighing 350 pounds. She apparently bragged to Scott that she had been with 28 famous people in a month. Bon Scott woke up with her the next morning and whispered, “29.” The single, “Whole Lotta Rosie” by AC/DC, released on Atlantic records, can get you $100.00 today.

On July 7, 1958, a record enters the U.S. charts. It holds the unique distinction of being the very first record to reach #1 on the newly created Billboard Hot 100. The singer is Ricky Nelson. The first record to reach # 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 is “Poor Little Fool.” The 45 on Imperial is worth no more than $20.00 but the 78 version can sell for $125.00 today.

The Raindrops presented themselves as a trio when they hit big in 1963 with “The Kind of Boy You Can’t Forget.” The 45 can now sell for $30.00.  In reality, the Raindrops consisted of song-writers, producers, and husband and wife Jeff Berry and Ellie Greenwich. To continue the illusion that they were a trio, the cover for their album, “Raindrops,” pictures Jeff, Ellie, and Ellie’s sister Laura who was never on the record. Released on Jubilee Records, the album can get you $150.00 today.

Smiley Lewis was on the precipice of becoming the biggest music star to come out of New Orleans in the 1950’s but his style received better response when delivered by Fats Domino. Lewis was the first to record “Blue Monday” but it was the version by Fats that would become the hit. Lewis’ biggest hit came in 1955 with “I Hear You Knocking (But You Can’t Come In).” The 45 can now sell for $250.00 on a red Imperial label. His only album, the same title as his hit single, was released by Imperial Records in 1961 and is worth up to $400.00 today.