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Out of Hoboken, New Jersey came American music’s first superstar, Frank Sinatra. From crooner to swing-singer his career lasted fifty years. After singing with the Harry James Band and two years with Tommy Dorsey, Ol’ Blue Eyes started out on his own and the rest is history. His first album, “The Voice of Sinatra,” released by Columbia Records in 1948, is worth up to $100.00 today. His first record came in 1939 when he sang with the Harry James Band. ”From the Bottom of My Heart,” released on Brunswick, can sell for $1500.00 today.

Gladys Knight & the Pips have been together since 1952. They were performing on the road with Sam Cooke and Jackie Wilson before Gladys was thirteen. Among their numerous hits over the years are “Neither One of Us” (wants to be the first to say goodbye) and “Midnight Train to Georgia.” Their first hit came in 1961 before Gladys got top billing. “Every Beat of My Heart” was released on three different labels. On Vee Jay and Fury Records, the single is worth nor more than $25.00. But on Huntom Records, where it lists the artists only as the Pips, the value jumps up to $800.00.

One of the longest lasting legends of the Rock N Roll era is Neil Sedaka with hits like “Oh Carol,” “Happy Birthday Sweet Sixteen,” and the monster hit, “Breaking up Is Hard to Do,” which is worth up to $50.00 with picture sleeve.” Sedaka also wrote hits for others like “Stupid Cupid” and “Where the Boys Are” for Connie Francis. His first album “Neil Sedaka,” released on RCA in stereo in 1959, is worth up to $100.00 today.

Dennis Edwards was a member of Motown’s super group, the Temptations. Not as well-known as David Ruffin or Eddie Kendricks, Edwards replaced Ruffin as lead singer in 1968. He can be heard on “Cloud Nine,” which can now sell for $40.00, and “Papa Was A Rolling Stone.” In 1966, Dennis Edwards recorded a single called “I Didn’t Have To” with “Johnnie on the Spot” on the flip side. Released on International Soulsville Records, the 45 is worth up to a whopping $4,000.00 today.

Josie and the Pussycats was an animated Saturday morning TV show which ran on CBS in the 1970-1971 season, and in later years as re-runs on both NBC and ABC. To capitalize on the popularity of the series a real girl-group was put together. Among them was a future Charlie’s Angel, Chery Ladd. Playing drums was the drummer for Elvis, Ronnie Lott. The Josie and the Pussycats album, released on Capitol Records in 1970, is worth up to $150.00 today.

99% of the time an original release of a record is worth more than a re-issue. But there are exceptions. An example would be the Beatles’ two-sided hit “We Can Work It Out” and “Day Tripper.” An original 1966 copy on an orange and yellow Capitol Records label is worth up to $40.00. Add up to another $40.00 for the picture sleeve. However, a 1969 re issue on a red and white Capitol label, as shown on the left, is worth up to $1,000.00 today.

“Wonderful World” was written by Sam Cooke and Herb Alpert in 1959 and featured on the album, “The Wonderful World of Sam Cooke.” The single, released on Keen Records, can sell for $50.00. The song was a hit for Sam Cooke in 1960 and even a bigger hit for Herman’s Hermits in 1965. Cooke’s version can be heard in the movies, “Animal House” and “Witness.”  I don’t know much about history, don’t know much biology but I do know the album, released on Keen Records in 1960, is worth up to $250.00 today.

Saxophonist Charlie “Bird” Parker, along with Dizzy Gillespie, developed a music sound known as Be-Bop. His nickname came from his love of chickens. No doubt a musical genius, he died before his time at the age of thirty-four. Many of his albums can be very collectible like his three albums from 1948 as shown here. Released on Dial Records, each can sell for $700.00 today.

Mad magazine with its mascot Alfred E Newman has been around since 1952 with its unique satire on popular culture and politics. In 1962 Big Top Records released “Mad Twists Rock N Roll” with the voices of Mike Russo and Jeanne Hayes recording classics like “She Got a Nose Job” and “Please, Betty Jane, When You Gonna Shave Your Legs?” To a record collector the album is worth up to $150.00 today.

Many recording artists in the 1960’s and 70’s made special promotional records for brand name advertisers. Connie Francis released an album in 1961 for Brylcreem with its slogan, “A Little Dab’ll Do ya.” Not a big collectible it’s worth up to $20.00. But in 1964 the Yardbirds issued a 45 on Epic Records as a promotion for Esquire socks. If title on the record label reads “I Wish You Would,” its worth up to $500.00 with picture sleeve. If it reads  “I Wish You Could,” then record with picture sleeve, is worth up to $800.00 today.