moneymusic.com

Perhaps one of the unlikeliest people to have a collectible record is John Kerry, a U.S. Secretary of State and former senator from Massachusetts and one-time presidential nominee. His band, the Electras, released a self-titled instrumental album in 1962. A copy can get you $500.00 today. Kerry played bass.

It was D.J. Murray the K who co-wrote “Splish Splash,” one of Bobby Darin’s biggest hits. Credit was given to Jean Murray as to avoid any hint of payola. “Splish Splash” hit #3 on the Billboard chart in 1958. The original 45, released on ATCO Records, is worth no more than $25.00. However, the 78 RPM version can get you $125.00 today. Both are shown here.

Johnny Cash was one of the few recording artists to be inducted into both the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. His first album, “Johnny Cash with His Hot and Blue Guitar,” contained two of his first hits, “I Walk the Line” and “Folsom Prison Blues.” Each can fetch $50.00. Released on Sun Records in 1956, the album is worth up to $300.00 today.

“Save For A Rainy Day” is among Jan & Dean’s most sought after records. The album was recorded by Dean a year after Jan’s horrendous auto accident and contains no hits. It is actually Jan’s brother pictured with Dean on the cover but shot in such a way as to make everyone think it was Jan. Released on J & D Records in 1967, the album is worth up to $500.00. Even rarer would be an original copy on Columbia Records. That could get you $2,000.00 today.

In 1954, Big Joe Turner was the first to record and chart the hit, “Shake, Rattle and Roll.” A copy of that 45 can now sell for $75.00. That was quickly followed by the version with Bill Haley and His Comets. It was Haley’s version that became the bigger hit. But the phrase, “Shake, Rattle and Roll,” was first used in a song in 1919 by Al Bernard. In 1954, Decca Records released the 10 inch album, “Shake, Rattle and Roll,” by Bill Haley and His Comets. It can sell for $500.00 today.

With four platinum albums to his name, Aaron Neville is certainly the most famous of the Neville Brothers who were such a big part of the music that came out of New Orleans. In 1966, Aaron Neville sold a million copies of his classic hit, “Tell It Like It Is.” A copy of that 45 can sell for $25.00. A year later Par-Lo Records released the album of the same name. Today a copy can get you $500.00.

Rockabilly is one of the most collectible forms of Rock N Roll. Rockabilly is a mixture of Rock and Country, often with a mix of Rhythm and Blues. Here are two examples. In 1959 Laurel Records released the single “Rockin’ Baby” by Dickie Damron. It’s currently worth up to $2,000.00. “Shake Um Up Rock” by Bennie Cliff, released on Drift Records in 1958, can get you $2,500.00 today. These are records you should know about. For thousands of others, click on “Records You Should Know About” in the yellow strip above.

Led by Mark Volman, the Turtles knocked the Beatles out of the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1967 when “Happy Together” replaced “Penny Lane” at #1. “Happy Together” held on to the chart-topping position for three weeks. The 45 on White Whale Records is worth no more than $20.00 but the picture sleeve it came in can sell for $200.00 today.

In 1980, Universal Pictures released the movie, “Xanadu,” starring Olivia Newton John. It was a musical fantasy not to mention a musical flop. Xanadu might be a fun place to visit but only if you have a copy of the soundtrack picture disc with Olivia Newton John and the Electric Light Orchestra. Also on the record are Cliff Richard, Gene Kelly, and the Tubes. A copy today can get you $6,000.00. “Xanadu” is just one of the picture discs you’ll find listed on our Picture Discs Price Guide on a flash drive in Microsoft Word. It’s available in the left hand column.

The girl-groups of the 60’s like the Supremes, the Ronettes, and the Crystals are always collectible as are lesser known girl- groups such as the Sherrys. Originally, the Sherrys backed up Bobby Rydell on his early hits. In 1962, they hit on their own with “Pop Pop Pop-Pie,” based on a popular dance craze of the day. An original 45 can fetch $40.00.That same year Guyden Records released the album, “At the Hop,” by the Sherrys containing their hit. The album can get you $250.00 today.