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At the tender age of 15 Kathy Young scored one of the biggest hits of 1961 with “A Thousand Stars.” It’s now worth up to $30.00 as seen here on the left. Discovered by game show host Wink Martindale, she received her gold record from Dick Clark on American Bandstand. Along with her back up group, the Innocents, her 1961 album was called “The Sounds of Kathy Young.” Released on Indigo Records, a copy can fetch $300.00 today.

The Rolling Stones have many collectible records, especially for some of the picture sleeves that came with their 45’s. In 1978 they released the single, “Beast of Burden.” The record is worth no more than $10.00 but the picture sleeve is worth up to $3,000.00. Beware: counterfeits exist. Originals are a light lavender color. Known counterfeits are more of a grape or purple color. All known counterfeit records are listed and described in the Mighty John Record Appraisal Guide.

In 1964 when Elvis starred in the movie, “Viva Las Vegas,” with Ann Margret, he had no idea that six years later he would become the biggest star on the strip. The “Viva Las Vegas” 45, with picture sleeve, can get you $50.00. However, put your money on the “Viva Las Vegas” EP soundtrack as seen on the right. Copies with a black RCA label are worth up to $150.00. Make it $200.00 for copies with an orange record label.

The Platters was the most popular Doo Wop group of all time. Their 1956 album, “The Platters,” contains many of their early hits like “My Prayer,” “I’m Sorry,” and “On My Word of Honor.” “The Platters Vol. 2” features their versions of classics of the day like “September in the Rain” and “In the Still of the Night.” Each of these albums was released by Mercury Records in 1956 and each is worth up to $100.00 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.

In 1968, Capitol Records released “Lady Madonna,” their last 45 with the Beatles. It peaked at #4 on the Billboard Hot 100. Paul McCartney said he wrote the song as a boogie woogie blues song ala Fats Domino. Ironically, Fats Domino would also record the song. The original 45 with its picture sleeve is worth up to $100.00. A promo copy, as seen here, can sell for $200.00 today.

Get the values for every Beatles record and every Elvis record free!  No purchase necessary! (over 2,000 on the list) For all the details listen to any “Money Music” Podcast.

In anticipation of the Beach Boys’ single, “Heroes and Villains,” Capitol Records ordered a picture sleeve for the record. However, before the song was available, the Beach Boys had formed their own label, Brother. They issued “Heroes and Villains” as their first single on their new label. The cartoon picture sleeve for the Brother release in 1967 is worth up to $75.00. But the Capitol picture sleeve from 1966, showing six pictures of members of the Beach Boys, can sell for $500.00 today.

One of the most iconic movies of all time, “Dirty Harry,” has one of the great iconic lines of all time spoken by Clint Eastwood. “I know what you’re thinking. Did he fire six shots or only five? Well, to tell you the truth, in all the excitement I’ve kinda lost track myself. But, being this is a .44 magnum-the most powerful handgun in the world and would blow your head clean off, you’ve got to ask yourself one question-do I feel lucky? Well, do ya, punk?” In 1973, Verve records released a 45 of “Dirty Harry” by Lalo Schifrin. A copy would make it a lucky day, punk. It’s worth up to $200.00 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. 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.

The “Breakfast in America” album by Supertramp, released on A&M Records in 1979, launched a number of hit singles including “The Logical Song,” “Goodbye Stranger,” and “Take The Long Way Home.” The regular album is not a big collectible but the picture disc version as shown here can sell for $500.00 today. (You can find the values for over 1,000 picture discs with “Mighty John’s Picture Disc Guide,” available in the left hand column.)