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Best known as a song writer with wife Cynthia Weil, Barry Mann’s novelty hit, “Who Put the Bomp (in the bomp de bomp de bomp),” could be about himself or any of the other tune-smiths at the famous Brill Building in New York City who churned out hit after hit in the 60’s. Released on ABC-Paramount in 1962, the 45 can fetch $25.00 today. A 1962 mono copy of the album is worth up to $150.00, a stereo copy up to $600.00.

Waylon Jennings was part of Buddy Holly’s band during the tour when Holly lost his life in that legendary plane crash on February 3, 1959, which also took the lives of Ritchie Valens and the Big Bopper. Waylon left Rock N Roll and went on to be a huge Country Music star. His first album, “Waylon Jennings at JD’s,” was released in 1964 on both the Bat and Sounds LTD record labels. Either issue is worth up to $400.00 today.

One of the biggest teenage tragedy records of all time came in 1960 and falls into the gloomy “death rock” category where some unlucky teen bites the dust, as exemplified by “Teen Angel” by Mark Dinning and “Last Kiss” by J Frank Wilson. But the feature today is “Tell Laura I Love Her” by Ray Peterson. Released on RCA in 1960, the 45 is worth up to $20, the album up to $100 and the EP can get you $200.00 today.

The Isley Brothers first introduced “Shout” in 1959 and thanks to the toga party scene from the movie, “Animal House,” in 1978, the song (this time by Otis Day & the Nights) became a party classic. Put the record on and people “kick their heels up, throw their hands back and shout!” The Isley Brothers’ “Shout” 45 can now sell for $25.00. The album, released by RCA in 1959, is worth up to $400.00 today.

“Hail Hail Rock N Roll.” Where would it be without Chuck Berry? It’s hard to think of one great rock-and-roller who hasn’t been influenced by the man who gave us “Johnny B Goode” and so many other classics. His first album, “After School Sessions,” featured the smash “School Day.” The 78 issue can now fetch $100.00. The LP “After School Sessions,” released on Chess Records in 1957, can get you $300.00 today.

In 1989 R.E.M was called “America’s hippest band.” Led by Michael Stipe, this superstar group of the 80’s was inducted into the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame in 2007. Their first single on Hibtone Records, “Radio Free Europe,” released in 1981 is worth up to $100.00 today. Add another $150.00 for the picture sleeve.

The first of the manufactured teen idols of the 1950’s was a young man from Philadelphia whose good looks covered up his less than perfect voice. Fabian’s single, “Tiger,” was a top 3 hit. The 45 can now sell for $50.00 with picture sleeve. The album, “Hold That Tiger,” released on Chancellor Records in 1959, is worth up to $100.00 today.

On December 10, 1967 Otis Redding joined the much too long list of recording stars that lost their lives in a plane crash. His 1966 album, “Dictionary of Soul,” was his last before his death. It contained one of his greatest hits, “Try a Little Tenderness.” That single can now sell for $25.00. Released on Volt Records in 1966, the “Dictionary of Soul” album is worth up to $100.00 today.

It starts off like all Dragnet episodes, “This is the city, Los Angeles California.” Jack Webb will forever live as Sgt. Joe Friday seeking “just the facts.” And the fact is in 1953 RCA released an audio version of “Dragnet-The Christmas Story.” Usually record collectors are looking for music but here’s an exception, worth up to $125.00 today. “Dragnet-The Christmas Story” is just one of the 10,000 soundtracks listed on our Soundtracks record guide on a flash drive in Microsoft Word, covering movies, TV shows, and Broadway shows. It’s available in the left hand column.

In 1964 a lot of people thought the Beau Brummels were part of the British Invasion but actually they were from San Francisco. Heavily influence by the Beatles, they had their first hit with “Laugh Laugh.” A copy on an orange label on Autumn Records is valued no higher than $10.00.A copy of the 45 on a white label as seen here can sell for $50.00. In 1965, Autumn Records released the album ,“Introducing the Beau Brummels.” Its worth up to $100.00 today.