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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.

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 .

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.

Perhaps the most unsual group to record for Sam Phillips, the man who discovered Elvis, was the Prisonaires. They just happened to be inmates at the Tennessee State Penitentiary in Nashville. Their biggest hit came in 1953 with “Just Walkin’ In the Rain,” which later became a million-seller for Johnnie Ray. The Prisonaires’ version can now sell for $400.00. The Prisonaires’ most valuable record, “There Is Love in You,” released on Sun Records in 1954, is worth up to $8,000.00 today.

Do You Love Me” was a song written by Barry Gordy for the Temptations. But when the Temptations were late for a recording session, Gordy gave it the Contours to record. They had a hit with it in 1962 and, thanks to the movie “Dirty Dancing,” it became a smash again in 1988. The original “Do You Love Me,” released on Gordy Records, is worth no more than $25.00 but a previous single, “Funny,” by the Contours, released in 1961 on Motown Records, is worth up to $500.00 today.

Ricky Nelson had nine top-10 singles in a row in the late 1950’s. But the Rockabilly influence began to fade by the end of the decade, and Ricky’s music gave way to the softer more polished sounds of the early 1960’s. This change was reflected on his 1960 album, “More Songs by Ricky.” Released on Imperial Records, a black vinyl copy is worth up to $200.00 while a blue vinyl copy as seen here can get you $750.00 today.

The Five Keys formed in 1945 in Newport News, Virginia and although they never had any giant hits they were pioneers in the early days of Doo Wop and heavily influenced many of the major acts of the fifties. They did appear on American Bandstand with Dick Clark, but it was before the show went national. Otherwise, their fame might have been greater. Their 1960 album, “Rhythm & Blues Hits—Past and Present,” released by King Records, is worth up to $350.00. Their 1952 single, “Red Sails in the Sunset,” on Aladdin Records can sell for $2,500.00 today.

“The Soul Of Ike & Tina Turner” was the first album for the famous duo and features their first hit, “A Fool In Love.” The song was originally sung by Tina as a demo for Art Lassiter who was then the lead singer in Ike’s band. A fight over royalties between Ike and Lassiter eventually led to Tina’s version being released and the rest is history. The single can now sell for $25.00. Their debut album, released on Sue Records in 1961, is worth up to $750.00 today.

The Honeys were back-up singers for the Beach Boys on their hit, “Be True To Your School” and for Jan and Dean on “The Little Old Lady From Pasadena.” Member Marilyn Rovell would later marry Beach Boy, Brian Wilson. The Honeys’ own singles can be quite collectible such as “Surfin Down The Swanee River.” Recorded on Capitol Records in 1963, the 45 is worth up to $300.00 but the picture sleeve by itself can get you $1,500.00 today.

A shoeshine boy from Georgia grew up to be one of the most famous and successful performers of all time. Known as the Godfather of Soul, James Brown gave you your money’s worth if you saw him in concert or if you purchased any of his records. In 1960, King Records released the album, “James Brown & His Famous Flames Think. A copy that features several pictures of James Brown on the cover is worth up to $100.00 but a copy that shows a baby on the cover can get you $800.00 today. Both covers are shown here.