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“Twenty Flight Rock” was written and first recorded by Rock N Roll pioneer, Eddie Cochran and featured in the movie, “The Girl Can’t Help It.” It was a classic piece of the Rockabilly sound that was so popular in the 50’s. When 15-year old Paul McCartney auditioned to join John Lennon’s Quarrymen, the song he chose was “Twenty Flight Rock.” The 45 by Eddie Cochran, released on Liberty records in 1957, is worth up to $250.00 today.

Aretha Franklin is the epitome of Soul. She is the Queen of Soul. And for that she deserves our r-e-s-p-e-c-t. Known for Soul classics like “Chain of Fools” and “Think,” her roots are in Gospel music. She displayed her great singing voice as a member of the Detroit church where her father preached. In 1965 Checker Records released the album, “Songs of Faith,” by Aretha Franklin. A copy can get you $200.00 today.

The long and successful career of Connie Francis began in 1955 on M-G-M Records where she had numerous hits like “Who’s Sorry Now,” “Lipstick On Your Collar,” “Stupid Cupid” and “Everybody’s Somebody’s Fool.” Her first album for M-G-M is “Who’s Sorry Now” from 1958 and worth up to $40.00. However, her last album for M-G-M came in 1969 with the album, “Songs of Les Reed.” It’s worth up to $250.00 today.

Rockabilly, a blend of Country and Rhythm & Blues, is a collectible category of music that is full of valuable records. Here are two examples. In 1957 Bo-Kay records issued the single, “Rock N Bones,” by Elroy Dietzel. An original copy can get you $600.00. Beware of counterfeits. In 1955 Flip records released, “I’ve Been Deceived,” by Charlie Feathers. It’s worth up to $1,000.00. All known counterfeit records are listed and described in the Mighty John Record Appraisal Guide on a flash drive in Microsoft Word. It’s available in the left hand column.

One-time members of the Byrds, Gram Parsons and Chris Hillman went on to form the Flying Burrito Brothers. Their music was a blending of Country, Folk, Rock, and Soul. Their first album, which made Rolling Stone Magazine’s “500 Greatest Albums of All Time, was called “The Gilded Palace of Sin.” Although not a commercial success, it influenced Country stars like Vince Gill and Alan Jackson. Released on A & M Records in 1969, a copy can get you $400.00 today.

Tollie Records is probably best known as the label that released the Beatles 45’s, “Love Me Do” and, “Twist And Shout” in 1964. That same year they released the single, “I’d Think It Over,” by Sam Fletcher. The record is worth up to $450.00 today. But Tollie, trying to associate anything released on their label with the Beatles, issued a picture sleeve with copies sent to radio stations. And because the picture sleeve mentions the Beatles it can get you $250.00 by itself.

“You Belong to Me” was not only one of the biggest hits for the Duprees but one of the biggest of 1962 and is worth up to $40.00. The song was first recorded in the early 50’s by Sue Thompson of “Sad Movies (Make Me Cry)” fame and then by Patti Page. The most popular version before the Duprees made it their own was by Jo Stafford in 1952. In 1962 Coed Records released the “You Belong to Me” album by the Duprees. A copy can get you $200.00 today.

Among those who are not all that well known but have what could be called a cult following is Wild Man Fischer. Discovered by Frank Zappa, Fischer had been committed to a mental institution when he was 16 for attacking his mother with a knife. By his mid-20’s he had become an underground favorite with concert goers. In 1969, Zappa’s record company, Bizarre, released the album, “An Evening with Wild Man Fischer.” A copy can get you $400.00 today.

Phil Spector produced a lot of great acts such as the Ronettes with lead singer Veronica Bennett (later Ronnie Spector after marrying Phil). Their biggest hit, “Be My Baby,” is a true Rock N Roll classic, which can now sell for $50.00. It even inspired Beach Boy Brian Wilson to write his hit, “Don’t Worry Baby.” The album, “Presenting the Fabulous Ronettes,” released on Philles Records in 1964, is worth up to $600.00 today.

Lee Fields is sometimes referred to as “Little J.B.” as in Little James Brown. His name is not as well-known as that of the Godfather of Soul but to his die-hard Funk fans he’s just as popular and with a staying power that more well-known stars don’t have. In 1979, Angle Records released the album, “Let’s Talk It Over,” by Lee Fields. A copy can get you as much as $600.00 today.