moneymusic.com

The Marvelettes was one of Motown’s most successful girl groups with hits like “Please Mr. Postman” and “Beechwood 45789.” But in 1962 they released an album where they covered the hits of other stars of the day. There are two different covers as shown here, both released by Tamla records. The one titled “The Marveletts Sing” is worth up to $300.00.(Note the last “e” is left off the spelling of their name). The same album but with the title “Marvelettes Sing Smash Hits of ’62” is worth up to $450.00.

In 1965 Mel Carter had one of the biggest hits of the year with “Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me.” The album on Imperial Records is worth up to $25.00. Two years earlier Sam Cooke signed him to Derby Records. The result was Mel’s first hit, “When a Boy Falls in Love.” The 45 is worth up to $30.00 but the album of “When a Boy Falls in Love,” released on Derby Records in 1963, is worth up to $250.00 today.

The “Beatles Second Album,” released on Capitol Records in 1964, made it to number one by knocking their first album for Capitol, “Meet the Beatles,” out of first place. Critics say it’s the best pure Rock N Roll album the Beatles ever made. A 1964 original stereo copy is worth up to $150.00 and up to $400.00 in mono. It featured their only hit for Swan records, “She Loves You.” An original copy on a white label with red print can fetch $500.00 today

Ronnie James Dio began his musical career in 1957 with Ronnie & The Red Caps. An original copy of their 45, “Lover,” shown here on the left can sell for $400.00. However, he is best known for 1980’s Heavy Metal. He was leader of his own band, Dio, and also played with Black Sabbath. Known for his powerful voice, Dio lost his life to stomach cancer in 2010. His most valuable album was released in 1963. “Dio At  Domino’s,”released on Jove Records, is worth up to $600.00 today.

In 1963 Elvis starred in the movie “It Happened at the World’s Fair.” It featured the king’s shortest hit, “One Broken Heart for Sale.” At 1:45 the single with picture sleeve can sell for $50.00. Set in Seattle at the real world’s fair, Elvis plays the part of a crop-duster. The original soundtrack, released in 1963, is worth up to $150.00 on an RCA black label. In 1968 it was re issued with an RCA orange label and a rare example of the re issue being worth more than the original. That re issue is worth up to $1,000.00 today. Many times it’s the little things that make the big difference.

Directed by Otto Preminger, “River Of No Return” was a 1954 movie starring Robert Mitchum and Marilyn Monroe. Problems like frequent rain, Monroe’s ankle injury, and Mitchum’s heavy drinking added weeks to the shooting schedule. Monroe has been quoted as saying it was her worse movie. A 1962 release of the 45 on 20^TH Century Fox can sell up to $100.00. The 78 of “River Of No Return” with “I’m Gonna File My Claim” on the flip side was released to radio in 1954 by RCA. With Marilyn Monroe’s picture on the label, it’s worth up to $300.00 today.

Out of Boston in the 1950’s came the Tune Weavers. Originally called the Tone-Weavers, they adapted the new name when a nervous MC got the original name wrong. They decided they liked it. So they kept it. In 1957 Casa Grande Records released what would become a true classic, “Happy Happy Birthday Baby.” The 45 is worth up to $150.00 today. The 78 RPM version, released on Checker Records that same year, can sell for $100.00.

In1979 George Harrison released the single, “Love Comes to Everyone.” It was the second single released that year from the album, “George Harrison.” The single never made the charts and because of its rarity, it can be quite valuable today. Issued by Dark Horse Records, the 45 with its picture sleeve, is worth up to $500.00.

The Dubs was among the great Doo Wop groups of the 1950’s. They first charted in 1957 with “Don’t Ask Me To Be Lonely.” That was followed by their most famous release, “Could This Be Magic.” Released on Gone Records, it can sell for $75.00. But before they were the Dubs, they were the Marvels. Their only record under that name came in 1956. “I Won’t Have You Breaking My Heart,” issued by ABC Paramount, is worth up to $600.00 today.

One of the lesser known girl-groups of the sixties was the Pixies Three, lost among the smash acts to come out of Philadelphia like Chubby Checker, Bobby Rydell, Fabian, Frankie Avalon, and the Orlons. The Pixies Three scored two hits for Mercury records in 1963 with “442 Glenwood Avenue” and “Birthday Party.” With picture sleeve, “Birthday Party” can sell for $75.00. Their only album for Mercury, “Party,” was released in 1964 and is worth up to $100.00 today.