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In 1964, Elvis starred in “Kissin Cousins” where he played two different characters, sporting a blond wig for one. The soundtrack might have been bigger had it not been for the Beatles who were beginning their journey of dominating the charts. RCA released two versions of the album cover. One, with the film cast pictured on the lower right, is worth up to $100.00. The cover without the film cast pictured can get you $250.00 today. Both versions are shown here.

One of the lesser-known bands of the British Invasion was one-hit-wonders, the Nashville Teens. In their native land they backed up American rockers like Jerry Lee Lewis, Chuck Berry, Carl Perkins, and Gene Vincent. On their only hit, “Tobacco Road,” it was Jimmy Page on guitar who provided the bite in the production. The 45 is worth no more than $10.00 but  the album “Tobacco Road,” released on London Records in 1964, can get you $50.00 in stereo and up to $150.00 in mono.

Cameo-Parkway was a small recording company in Philadelphia that was blessed by being able to provide so much talent that appeared on “American Bandstand,” which was broadcast nearby. Signed to their label were chart-toppers like Bobby Rydell, Chubby Checker, Dee Dee Sharp, the Dovells and the Orlons. Orlons hit singles like “South Street” and “Don’t Hang Up” can get you $75.00 each with their picture sleeves.

One of the pioneers of Punk rock was the New York Dolls led by David Johansen. They heavily influenced groups like Kiss, the Ramones, and Guns N’ Roses. The New York Dolls’ big break came when Rod Stewart asked them to open for him at a concert in London. But not everyone was a fan. In 1973, the New York Dolls were voted best and worst group by Creem Magazine. That same year Mercury Records released the 45, “Trash.” With its picture sleeve a copy can get you $250.00 today.

Northern Soul 45’s continue to be highly prized by record collectors. Here are two more to look for. In 1971, Raturea Records released “Clean Up Man” by Eddie Finley and the Cincinnati Show Band. A copy is worth up to $1,500.00. In 1974, Briarmeade Records put out “People” by Ellipsis. An original copy can get you $4,000.00 today.

With their debut album “Tonight’s the Night,” the Shirelles established themselves as the premier girl-group of the early Rock N Roll era. The album contains the top 10 singles, “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow” and “This is Dedicated to the One I Love,” as well as the title song. Also on the album is “Boys,” which was later covered by the Beatles. The “Tonight’s the Night” single can now fetch $40.00 but the album, released on Scepter Records in 1961, is worth up to $100.00 today.

After the success of their smash hit, “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction,” the Rolling Stones were pressured by their record label to quickly come up with another hit. However, the Stones were riding high, so to speak, and didn’t want to be rushed. Finally, after a lot of badgering, they had an answer for their label and another hit. Their way of saying, “Get off my back” was with “Get Off Of My Cloud.” A blue label version on London Records is no more than $15.00 but the orange label issue with the words “promotional copy” can sell for $200.00 today. Mighty John’s Promo Records Guide is available in the yellow strip above.

There was no bigger duo in the early Rock N Roll era then Don and Phil, the Everly Brothers. Beginning with “Bye Bye Love” in 1957, the hits seemed endless like “Wake up Little Susie,” “All I Have To Do Is Dream,” “Bird Dog,” “Till I Kissed Ya,” “Let It Be Me” and so many more. In 1958, Cadence Records released the first Everly Brothers album, now valued up to $100.00. In 1959, Cadence Records released the album “The Everly Brothers’ Best.” A copy can also get you $100.00 today.

The Moonglows was one of the most successful Doo Wop groups of the 50’s, and one-time member, Marvin Gaye, became one of the most successful solo artists of the 60’s and 70’s with such classics as “I Heard It through the Grapevine,” which was Motown’s best-selling 45 of the 60’s. His most successful hit prior to that was “How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)”. The “How Sweet It Is” 45 can now sell for $30.00. The album, released on Tamla Records in 1965, can get you $200.00 today.

On Feb 3,1959 the music dies as we lose Buddy Holly, the Big Bopper and Ritchie Valens. Waylon Jennings, then a member of Buddy Holly’s band, tells Buddy he is going to take the bus to their next gig. Buddy jokes that the bus will break down at which point Waylon says, “I hope your ol’ plane crashes.” Those words haunt Waylon Jennings until the day he dies from diabetes in 2002. The youngest to die on that fatal flight is Richie Valens. He is just 17. His first big hit, “Donna,” on Del-Fi Records can sell for over $100.00 today. Double that for the 78rpm version on Apex Records.