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Rolling Stone magazine lists “Disraeli Gears” by Cream at # 144 on their coveted list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. The album itself was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999. The single from the album, “Sunshine of Your Love,” is Cream’s only million-seller in the U.S. It can now sell for $20.00. “Disraeli Gears” by Cream was released by ATCO Records in 1967. A mono copy can get you $50.00 today.

Before Jan and Dean were a hit-making duo, there was Jan and Arnie (Jan Berry & Arnie Ginsburg). In 1958 Jan & Arnie had a top-10 hit called “Jennie Lee,” which on Arwin Records can now sell for $75.00. Jennie Lee was a real girl, not the one next door but rather a popular local stripper. In 1960, Dot Records released the EP, “Jan & Arnie,” containing their hit, “Jennie Lee” plus their only other charting single “Gas Money.” A copy of the EP can get you $1,000.00 today.

The El Dorados hit #1 on the R&B charts in 1955 with the single, “At My Front Door,” which can now sell for $100.00. The song is also known as “Crazy Little Mama” as in “Crazy little mama come knockin,’ knockin’ at my front door.” Vee Jay Records released the album, “Crazy Little Mama” in 1958. A copy of the album with a black label is worth up to $300.00, but a copy with a maroon label can get you $1,000.00 today.

In 1983, MCA records released a promo-only copy of Michael Jackson’s, “Someone in the Dark.” The single is from Michael Jackson’s album, “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial.” The album went mostly unnoticed as the “Thriller” album was released about the same time. The promo single of “Someone In the Dark” can get you $1,500.00 today. Add up to $250.00 for the picture sleeve.

Philadelphia Soul came to prominence in the 60’s and 70’s. It was a smoother sound, different from the more commercial styles coming from Motown and Stax Records. Among the groups to capitalize on Philadelphia Soul were the Intruders. In 1968 they hit the top-10 with the million-selling single, “Cowboys to Girls.” The single is worth no more than $20.00 but the Intruder’s debut album, “The Intruders Are Together,” released on Gamble Records in 1967, can get you $250.00 today.

“Sugar Shack” by Jimmy Gilmer & the Fireballs topped the Billboard Hot 100 in late 1963. The band was originally produced by Norman Petty, producer for Buddy Holly. “Sugar Shack” on Dot Records is not too collectible, certainly not more than $10.00. But in 1964, Jimmy Gilmer paid tribute to Buddy Holly with the album, “Buddy’s Buddy.” Released on Dot Records, a copy can get you $100.00 today.

The early part of the 20th century produced a lot of collectible records by mostly unknown Blues artists whose contributions to the big stars to follow are immeasurable. Here are two examples. In 1929, Paramount Records released the 78, “Low Down Woman” by Blind Roosevelt Graves. It’s worth up to $2,000.00. In 1928, Victor Records issued the 78, “Bye Bye Blues,” by Tommy Johnson. A copy can get you $4,000.00 today.

“Have Guitar Will Travel” by Bo Diddley was the third album by the Rock N Roll icon. A year earlier in 1958 the Duane Eddy album, “Have Twangy Guitar Will Travel” was released. Both Bo and Duane used the titles to capitalize on the popular TV western, “Have Gun Will Travel.” The Duane Eddy album, released by Jamie Records, is worth up to $50.00. Issued by Checker Records, the Bo Diddley album can get you $150.00 today.

Led by David Gates, Bread was a hit-making machine with their soft-rock sound in the 1970’s. Their first hit, “Make It with You” reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1970. But the “bread” is for David Gates’ singles before he formed his famous band. The album, “Best of Bread,” released on Elektra Records in 1973, is worth up to $30.00 but the David Gates single, “You’ll Be My Baby,” released on Mala Records in 1960, can get you $125.00 today.

A lot of recording stars began their careers singing under other names. In 1957, well before they were known as Simon and Garfunkel, the duo recorded as Tom & Jerry. They even appeared on American Bandstand performing their minor hit, “Hey School Girl.” Released on a 78 by Big Top Records it’s worth up to $250.00 today. In 1958, before Frankie Valli found fame as leader of the Four Seasons, he recorded as Frankie Tyler on the single, “I Go Ape” on Okeh Records. A copy can get you $400.00 today.