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In the early days of Motown, the company wanted to promote 12-year-old Stevie Wonder as the next Ray Charles. His first single was “I Call It Pretty Music but the Old People Call It the Blues.” The record isn’t a Blues record at all but putting the word in the lyrics was meant to further the Ray Charles connection. The picture sleeve shows Stevie looking and posing like Ray. The 45 on the Tamla label can get you $125.00 today with that Ray Charles-looking picture sleeve.

When it comes to the blues you won’t have them if you find some of those old Blues 78’s. In 1930, Columbia Records released “Big Rock Jail” by Barefoot Bill. A copy is now worth up to $2,000.00. In 1928, Blind Willie McTell recorded “Loving Talking Blues” for Victor Records. A copy can get you $3,500.00 today.

The Beach Boys’ only EP “Four by the Beach Boys” was released in 1966 on Capitol Records. In 1964 Capitol released the EP “Four by the Beatles.” In this battle of the Beatles vs. the Beach Boys who wins when it comes to value? Well, in this case, it’s a tie. Either of these EP’s can sell for $450.00 today

Without a doubt Chubby Checker is the king of the Twist. But that dance craze is also associated with the Mavelettes and “Twistin’ Postman,” with Gary U.S. Bonds and the “Dear Lady Twist,” and with Joey Dee and the Starliters and the “Peppermint Twist.” But do you think of Rock and Blues artist Johnny Winter with this popular dance of the early 60’s? In 1962, Frolic Records released “Voo Doo Twist” by the now legendary Johnny Winter. A copy is worth up to $125.00 today.

Tony Bennett is truly a legend who had his first hit in 1951 with “Because of You” followed by “Rags to Riches.” In 1962, he recorded the song that became his signature song, “I Left My Heart in San Francisco.” But if you want to go from rags to riches, forget about Tony Bennett’s signature record. It’s worth no more than $10.00. Instead seek out his 1949 single of “Fascinating Rhythm.” Recording under the name Joe Bari on Leslie Records, that 78 can get you $2,000.00 today.

In 1969, the Winstons hit big with the top-10 smash, “Color Him Father.” The song is about a young boy honoring the man “with the big wide grin” who took in and married his mother, a widow with 7 children. The single, released on Metromedia Records, is worth up to $25.00 while the “Color Him Father” album can get you $100.00 today.

The success of the Marlon Brando film “The Wild Ones” inspired a number of copy-cat motorcycle gang/hot rod movies such as the 1957 release, “Hot Rod Rumble.” The plot was of no importance. It was the drag-strip girls, the fast cars, and the final predictable winner of the big race that was most important. And of course, the music. The soundtrack is by Alexander Courage who is best known for writing the original “Star Trek” theme. The “Hot Rod Rumble” album, released on Liberty Records in 1957, is worth up to $150.00 today. “Hot Rod Rumble” 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 in the left hand column.

The first solo album by a member of the Beach Boys came in 1977 with the release of “Pacific Blue Ocean” by Dennis Wilson. Sales are estimated at around 300,000 copies. A second album called “Bambu” was never completed as drug abuse in his out-of-control life prohibited him from finishing it as well as his unfortunate drowning in 1983. “Pacific Blue Ocean,” released on Caribou Records, can sell for $300.00 today.

The Andantes was among the least known girl-groups from Motown. They sang back-up for Motown stars, the Temptations, the Four Tops, and Marvin Gaye. Andantes member, Marlen Barrow, even filled in for Florence Ballard in many Supremes concerts. The Andantes single, “(Like a) Nightmare,” released on Motown’s V.I.P record label in 1964 is a huge collectible. And it was Ann Bogan of the Marvelettes singing lead. An original copy of the 45 on V.I.P. Records is worth up to $4,000.00 today.

David Clayton-Thomas is best known as the lead singer for the Rock band, Blood, Sweat & Tears, with hits like “You’ve Made Me So Very Happy,” “And When I Die,” and “Spinning Wheel.” Their 1969 “Blood, Sweat & Tears” album, released on Columbia Records, is worth up to $25.00. However, before his long run with Blood, Sweat & Tears, David Clayton-Thomas fronted a band called the Shays. Their album, “David Clayton-Thomas & the Shays a Go-Go,” released on Roman Records in 1967, can get you $300.00 today.