February 14, 2023 Record of the Day

Among the Rock N Roll stars to make the leap from music to movies was Connie Francis. One of the biggest selling female recording artists of all time, she starred in the 1961 film, “Where The Boys Are,” which was also the title of one of her biggest hits. The movie put Ft. Lauderdale on the map and is responsible for establishing the ritual which has come to be known as “spring break.” The single, released on M-G-M, is now worth up to $125.00 with its picture sleeve.

February 13, 2023 Record of the Day

Jackie Wilson, inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1987, first gained fame as a member of the Doo Wop group, Billy Ward & the Dominoes. In 1957, he had his first solo hit with “Lonely Teardrops.” One of Wilson’s biggest fans was a young Elvis Presley. Wilson reportedly told Elvis to take salt pills to make him sweat when he performed. According to Wilson, girls loved it when they saw him sweat. In 1960, Brunswick Records released the album, “Jackie Sings the Blues.” A mono copy is now worth up to $75.00 but a stereo copy can get you $150.00 today.

February 12, 2023 Record of the Day

Who is Percy “Thrills” Thrillington and why is his album worth money? Because Percy is Paul McCartney. In 1977, Capitol Records released the “Thrillington” album. The album, recorded by Paul McCartney and his wife Linda, is an instrumental version of McCartney’s “Ram” album. An original copy of “Thrillington” is worth up to $400.00 today.

February 11, 2023 Records of the Day

One of the many Motown girl- groups was the Marvelettes, perhaps best known for their top-10 smash, “Please Mr. Postman,” which was later covered by the Beatles. Their second top-10 hit came a year later with “Playboy,” which can now sell for $30.00. Their other hits included “Twistin Postman” and “Beechwood 4-5789.” Their album, “Playboy,” released on Tamla Records in 1962, is worth up to $500.00 today.

February 10, 2023 Record of the Day

It is generally believed that the most popular Big Band leader of the 30’s and 40’s was Tommy Dorsey. Until Elvis came along, Dorsey was RCA’s biggest selling recording star. Ironically, it was Tommy’s brother, Jimmy, who highlighted Elvis in his TV show for 6 consecutive weeks at the beginning of 1956. In 1945, Vogue Records released the picture disc, “Cocktails for Two,” featuring Tommy Dorsey. It’s worth up to $1,000.00 today.

February 9, 2023 Records of the Day

A preacher at the age of nine, Solomon Burke was a pioneer in Soul music. Mick Jagger covered three of Burke’s songs on early albums by the Rolling Stones. Ironically, it was a Country song, “Just out Of Reach (Of My Two Open Arms)” that was his first hit in 1961. He is probably best known for his Soul-flavored single, “Cry to Me.” The 45 on Atlantic Records can now fetch $40.00. His 1962 debut album, “Solomon Burke,” released on Apollo Records, is worth up to $400.00 today.

February 8, 2023 Records of the Day

In 1967, the Box Tops went all the way to #1 with, “The Letter, ” thanks to lead singer, Alex Chilton. The 45 on Mala Records is worth no more than $15.00. In 1968, the band reached #2 with “Cry like a Baby.” Chilton said his singing voice was not his natural voice but a result of too much drinking and lack of sleep. He left the Box Tops in 1970 and formed Big Star, which was commercially unsuccessful but a heavy influence on bands such as R.E.M. In 1979, Chilton went solo and recorded the album “Like Flies on Sherbert.” Released on Peabody Records, a copy is worth up to $350.00 today.

February 7, 2023 Records of the Day

One of the most successful instrumental bands of the late 50’s and early 60’s was Johnny & The Hurricanes. With Johnny Paris on sax and Paul Tesluk playing organ they churned out a number of hits like “Red River Rock,” which reached #5 in 1959 and is now valued up to $40.00. That was followed by “Reveille Rock” and “Beatnik Fly.” In 1959, Warwick Records released the album “Johnny & The Hurricanes.” A mono copy is worth up to $100.00, a stereo copy up to $300.00.

February 6, 2023 Record of the Day

In 1963, Dimension Records released the album, “The Dimension Dolls.” On the album are the labels’ best-known female stars including the Cookies singing “Chains,” a song later covered by the Beatles. There’s also Little Eva with her monster hit, “Locomotion.” Also on the album is Carole King with her Dimension Records hit, “It Might As Well Rain Until September. The album is worth up to $250.00 today. Find the value for all albums with various hits by various recording artists on the Mighty John Compilation Album Price Guide, available in the left hand column .

February 5, 2023 Record of the Day

In 1968, Elvis starred with Nancy Sinatra in the movie “Speedway.” Elvis played a racecar driver while Nancy was an IRS agent trying to collect his back taxes. The film also featured NASCAR drivers like Richard Petty and Cale Yarbrough. The movie soundtrack album, released by RCA, is worth up to $125.00 in stereo but a mono copy can you $4,000.00 today.