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In 1963, with the release of the album “The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan,” Columbia Records sent radio stations promo copies of “Blowin’ in the Wind.” A copy is worth up to $700.00. Also included was a sleeve, blank on front and a “Rebel with a Cause” description of Dylan on the back, which begins with the words “Twenty-one-year old Bob Dylan has become in one short year the most talked about folk music talent in more than a decade.” The sleeve, as shown here, is also worth up to $700.00 by itself. You can find the value for all “promo” records in “Mighty John’s Promo Records Guide,” by clicking the link in the yellow strip above.

Talking Heads began as a trio in 1975 and went on to make dance-able new-wave music. Never considered punk rockers, the band in the early years even covered music by bubble-gum greats, 1910 Fruit Gum Company. Their biggest hit came in 1983 with “Burning down the House.” But their most collectible records are the 12 inch single, “Once in a Lifetime,” and the album, “Talking Heads: 77.” Released by Sire Records in 1986, each is worth up to $100.00 today.

The Fendermen who consisted of Jim Sundquist and Paul Humphrey were each born on November 26, 1937. As you might have guessed they took their name, Fendermen, because they both played Fender guitars. On their top 10 classic, “Mule Skinner Blues,” there were no other instruments used. That 45 on Soma Records is worth no more than $20. However, the 1960 “Mule Skinner Blues” album, released on Soma Records, is worth up to $400.00 today. Note: Counterfeits have soft, flimsy covers. Original covers are rigid. All known counterfeit records are listed and described on the Mighty John Record Appraisal Guide, listing the values for over a million records. It’s available in the left hand column.

In 1969 Paul Revere & The Raiders put out a special record promoting Pontiac’s new car, “The Judge.” It had five songs, only two of which were licensed for radio airplay. The other three could only be played in a Pontiac showroom. The label pictures a Rally II wheel. The black vinyl represents the rubber. Issued by Columbia Records, a copy is worth up to $2500.00 today.

In the history of Rock N Roll there has never been a more exciting and electrifying performer than James Brown. He was the ultimate showman. Along with the Famous Flames he had his first hit with “Please Please Please.” When the Famous Flames weren’t available for his next record, that didn’t stop James. He recorded his second hit, “Try Me,” with a new group of Famous Flames. On Federal Records that 45 is worth up to $75.00.The “Try Me” album, released on King Records in 1959, is worth up to $700.00 today.

The Beatles’ biggest rivals at the beginning of the British Invasion was the Dave Clark Five. Their first hit, “Glad All Over,” appeared on the U.S. charts in the spring of 1964. In 2008, the band was  inducted into the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame. The “Glad All Over” album was released on Epic Records in 1964 with two different covers. Copies showing the band with their instruments are worth up to $30.00, but covers featuring the band with no instruments is worth up to $125.00 today.

“Magical Mystery Tour” by the Beatles included the soundtrack songs from the movie of the same name plus the 1967 Beatles singles, “Penny Lane,” “Baby, You’re A Rich Man,” and “All You Need Is Love.” The “All You Need Is Love” 45 on Capitol Records can sell for $150.00 with its picture sleeve. The album was a critical and commercial hit and a Grammy-nominated # 1 album. An original 1967 copy with gatefold cover, released on Capitol Records, is worth up to $750.00 today.

“Elvis Gold Records-Vol.2″ is also known as “50,000,000 Elvis Fans Can’t Be Wrong.” The fact that it not only went gold but also platinum reinforces those words. The cover features several images of Elvis in his famous gold suit made especially for him by Nudie’s of Hollywood. An original copy of the album, released by RCA in 1959, is worth up to $400.00 today.

Barbara Pitman stands out in Rock N Roll history as one of the few female singers in the fifties to record at Sun Studios, which was dominated my male stars like Elvis, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Carl Perkins. Due to little promotion, her records are not well known. Her recording career was over by 1960. So she split for California and can be seen in several motorcycle movies. An original copy of her 1956 single “I Need A Man,” released on Sun, is worth up to $600.00 today.

When the Archies hit big with “Sugar Sugar” in 1969, which is worth no more than $10.00, Calendar Records had to put a real band together to go out on tour. The same happened when Ronny & The Daytonas scored with “Little G.T.O.” They were session musicians. A completely different group was put together for public appearances. The 1964 album, “G.T.O.,” released on Mala Records, is worth up to $100.00 today. The group later recorded as the Hombres and had a hit with “Let It All Hang Out.”