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If you are not familiar with Delta Blues artist Skip James you should know more about the value of his records. He was on the brink of stardom when the Great Depression ended his dreams but he was re-discovered in 1964 and was finally recognized for his gift to the Blues. He recorded nine singles for Paramount from 1931-1932. Each one, like the ones shown here called “22-20 Blues,” and “Be Ready When He Comes” can sell for $10,000.00 today.

Marty Robbins had his first hit in 1957 with “A White Sports Coat and a Pink Carnation,” worth up to $50.00 with its picture sleeve. He would later win a Grammy for “El Paso.” Many more hits followed. But like a lot of Country stars, Marty Robbins started out as a Rock and Roll singer. His ten inch album “Rock’n  Rollin’n Robbins,” released by Columbia Records in 1956, is worth up to $750.00 today.

The Byrds began their phenomenal career as the Jet Set under the guidance of Roger McGuinn. Their first hit as the Byrds, thanks to Bob Dylan, was “Mr.Tambourine Man,” a #1 record from 1965. That same year Columbia Records issued a Byrds rendition of Dylan’s “The Times They Are A-Changin’.” That  red vinyl 45 is worth up to $250.00 but the picture sleeve as seen here can fetch up to $2,500.00 today.

A former high school cheerleader and valedictorian, Emmylou Harris was a Country Music hit maker in the 1970’s. Her debut album was released on Jubilee Records in 1969 and was called “Gliding Bird.” It consisted of mostly folk songs and Country Rock. Although the album was commercially unsuccessful, a copy is worth up to $500.00 today.

In the movie “Jailhouse Rock,” Elvis Presley played a character by the name of Vince Everett. In the film, Vince (Elvis) is an ex-con who gets a recording contract with Laurel Records. As part of the story, a single is released of “Treat Me Nice.” Props were made of the picture sleeve. Many can be seen in the movie. A copy can sell for $10,000.00 today.  Find the values for EVERY picture sleeve in the “Mighty John’s Picture Sleeve Guide.” For more free samples click on “Mighty John’s Picture Sleeve Guide” in the yellow strip above.

Kenny & the Cadets never scored big with their 1962 single, “Barbie.” But because Beach Boy Brian Wilson sang lead with back-up vocals by Beach Boys Carl Wilson and Al Jardine, it has become very valuable. Released on Randy Records, a black vinyl copy is worth up to $800.00 while an original red and yellow vinyl copy jumps the value up to $2,500.00 today.

Kim Weston isn’t as well-known as other female Motown artists like Diana Ross, Mary Wells, or Martha Reeves but that doesn’t mean that some of her records are not collectible. Her biggest hit came in 1966 when she teamed up with Marvin Gaye for “It Takes Two,” worth up to $15.00. However, her 1964 single, “A Little More Love,” released on Motown’s Tamla label, can sell for $500.00 today.

The Moody Blues played an array of Motown, James Brown, and American Blues in the early to mid-60’s. By 1965 they had adapted more to what was known as the Mersey Beat in Britain as exemplified in their first hit “Go Now.” An original copy of the 45 is worth up to $25.00. The “Go Now” album, released on London Records, can get you $50.00 in stereo and up to $100.00 in mono.

Johnny Burnette was a prolific song-writer who wrote many hits for Ricky Nelson and others as well as himself. Among his own big hits in the early 60’s are “You’re Sixteen” and “Dreamin’.” His album on Coral Records in 1956, “Johnny Burnette & the Rock N Roll Trio,” is among the earliest Rock and Roll albums and worth up to $1,500.00 today. Counterfeits exist and can be identified by the lack of printing on the spine. Original copies have identification numbers mechanically stamped in the trail-off wax. Counterfeit copies are hand etched. All known counterfeit records are listed and described in the Mighty John Record Appraisal Guide on CD. It’s available in the left hand column.

In 1967, Decca Records released the Who’s third album, “The Who Sell Out.” It is unique in that it not only features songs like “I Can See for Miles” (the 45 now worth up to $30.00) but the album also mocks advertising songs and jingles. Rolling Stone magazine ranks the album among the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. In stereo, it’s worth up to $30.00. In mono, the value jumps up to $125.00.