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ZZ Top is a Blues/Rock band that came out of Texas in the early 1970’s and still maintains a strong fan base today. With the advent of MTV and videos of their classics like “Sharp Dressed Man” and “Legs,” their popularity exploded. Their first 45, “Salt Lick,” released on Scat Records in 1969, can now sell for $100.00 and their debut album, “First Album,” released on London Records in 1971, is worth up to $200.00 today.

Eddie Burns was part of the Detroit Blues scene of the late 1940’s and early 1950’s. He started out as a session man for the legendary John Lee Hooker. Eddie might have had a bigger name if he had toured more often, but he was happy just to stay in Michigan. His 1952 single, “Hey Miss Jessie Lee,” released on DeLuxe Records, is worth up to $500.00. In 1957 J-V-B Records released “Treat Me Like I Treat You.” Both the 45 and 78 rpm versions can sell for $600.00 today.

Alabama was a forerunner for the many Country music bands to follow. They reached number 1 on the Country charts over 30 times and crossed over to the pop charts as well. They have been given their own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and in 2005 were inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. They first recorded as Wild Country and their “Wild Country” album, released on LSI Records in 1970, is worth up to $500.00 today.

Madonna has sold over 300 million records and there doesn’t seem to be any end in sight. Inducted into the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame in 2012, Madonna is the number 1 best-selling recording artist of the 20th century. In 1983, Sire Records released her album, “Like a Virgin.” With over 21 million sold, it became her first number 1 album. A white vinyl copy is worth up to $125.00 today.

Taking their name from a restaurant in Queens, NY, the Shangri- Las, made up of two sets of sisters, were one of the most popular white girl-groups of the mid-1960’s with their songs of teen melodrama like “Give Him A Great Big Kiss” and “I Can Never Go Home Anymore.” But they will always be best known for their number 1 classic, “Leader of The Pack.” The single can now sell for $40.00.The album, released by Red Bird Records in 1965, is now worth up to $300.00.  

Gospel music played an important part in the life and career of Elvis Presley. He grew up with Gospel music and would often sing it to warm up for recording sessions. His own personal record collection contained many Gospel artists. And the king never received a Grammy for Rock N Roll or Country, but he did for Gospel. In 1966, RCA issued the Elvis Gospel single, “Joshua Fit the Battle.” With its picture sleeve, it’s worth up to $350.00 today.

Rod Bernard was a pioneer in “Swamp Rock,” which is a combination of New Orleans Rhythm and Blues, Country, and Cajun music. Mostly influenced by Elvis and Fats Domino, Rod Bernard’s biggest hit, “This Should Go on Forever,” earned him an appearance on American Bandstand. The 45, released on Argo Records in 1959, is worth up to $50.00. But the first release in 1958 on Jin Records can get you up to $100.00 today. Both versions are shown here.

“You Really Got Me” was the song that launched the career of one of the most prolific hit-makers of the 60’s and 70’s. This classic by the Kinks pioneered much of the Heavy Metal and Punk Rock to follow. The song is both in the Grammy Hall of Fame and part of Rolling Stone magazine’s 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. An original copy of the single can fetch $30.00. The “You Really Got Me” album, released by Reprise Records in 1964 in mono, is worth up to $100.00 today.

The son of a Methodist minister, Donald Byrd was born in Detroit and performed with Lionel Hampton before graduating high school. He would later play with Jazz greats, Art Blakey and John Coltrane, before starting his solo career. Many of his albums are quite valuable including “Jazz Eyes” on Regent Records now worth up to $500.00 and “Byrd Blows on Beacon Hill,” released by Transition Records in 1956, is worth up to $1,800.00 today.

Warren Zevon created a howling hit with a little help from his friends, John McVie and Mick Fleetwood from Fleetwood Mac. Included on Zevon’s album, “Excitable Boy,” “Werewolves Of London” hit the Billboard charts in April of 1978. The 45 on Asylum Records is worth no more than $10.00 but the picture disc version, released by Elektra Records, is worth up to $100.00 today.