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“Bookends” was the fourth studio album from Simon and Garfunkel. Released in 1968 on Columbia Records, “Bookends” quickly reach #1 on the Billboard album chart. The biggest hit single from the album is “Mrs. Robinson,” which reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. The album featured other hit singles like “A  Hazy Shade of Winter” and “Fakin’ It.” A stereo copy is worth no more than $15.00 unless there are 3 instead of 2 white logos on the label. Then the value jumps up to $300.00, A mono copy of “Bookends,” as seen here, can also get you $300.00 today.

Jimmy Jones wrote his first hit, “Handy Man,” in 1955. In 1960, with a little help from songwriter Otis Blackwell who wrote hits for Elvis Presley, the song hit # 2 on the Billboard Hot 100. But Jimmy Jones would not be a one-hit wonder. He quickly followed up “Handy Man” with “Good Timin.’” Both singles sold over a million copies each. The “Good Timin’” single can now fetch $40.00 but the album, released on M-G-M records in 1960, can get you $100.00 today.

On May 19, 1960 a true classic is recorded. The song writer, Doc Pomus, wrote this hit at his wedding reception. Confined to a wheelchair and crutches, due to polio, he can’t dance with his bride but he urges her to have fun dancing with the guests but reminds her as written in the song he wrote that day, “don’t forget who’s taking you home and in whose arms your gonna be” The man who couldn’t dance reminds his new bride to “save the last dance for me.”  The 45 on Atlantic Records can get you $20.00 but the “Save the Last Dance for Me” album is worth up to $150.00 today.

Scatman Crothers was a multi-talented performer as an actor and musician. He also did voice-overs for cartoon characters in “Hong Kong Phooey” and “The Aristocats.” Scatman appeared in classic films like “One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest” and “The Shining.” As a drummer and piano player, he put out dozens of records including the 1956 album, “Rock N Roll with Scatman Crothers.” Released on Tops Records, a copy is worth up to $100.00 today. His 1951 single of “Papa” can now sell for $200.00.

“Guys and Dolls” is one of the most popular Broadway musicals of all time. With its theme of gamblers and gangsters, it features favorites like “A Bushel and a Peck” and “Luck Be a Lady.” In 1962, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Bing Crosby recorded the “Guys and Dolls” song, “The Oldest Established (Permanent Floating Crap Game in New York).” Released on Reprise Records, a copy with picture sleeve can sell for $150.00 today.

“Dance to the Music” by Sly & the Family Stone was their first top 10 single on the Billboard Hot 100. Rolling Stone magazine includes it on its list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. The song is credited with being the launching pad for what would become known as Psychedelic Soul and eventually Funk music. The 45 is worth no more than $10.00 but the “Dance to the Music” album, released on Epic records in 1968, can get you $50.00 today.

Merry Christmas! If you have a black vinyl copy of the original “Elvis Christmas Album” from 1957 on RCA its worth up to $800.00. However, if the vinyl is red, as seen here, the value jumps up to $15,000.00. Ho Ho Ho!

There are many things that can make the difference in value for the same album. It could be the difference between mono and stereo or the color of the vinyl or record label; even the placement of the record company logo on the label. And then there are times when a change in the lyrics is what matters as in the song, “John, I’m Only Dancing” on David Bowie’s 1976 album, “Changesone Bowie.” If the lyrics are “Annie’s pretty neat, she always eats her meat. But Joe is awful strong…,” then the album is no more $20.00. However, if the lyrics are “Annie’s kind of sweet, she always eats her meat. But Joey comes on strong…,” then the value jumps up to $200.00.

In 1956, Robert Spencer of the popular Doo Wop group, the Cadillacs, wrote “My Boy Lollypop” and had it recorded by singer Barbie Gaye. As a 78 on Darl Records it’s now worth up to $75.00. It never became a big hit until alleged underworld record producer, Morris Levy, took the “y” out of Lollypop and then took credit for writing “My Boy Lollipop” with an “i” instead of “y.” In 1964, it became a smash on the Smash record label, selling over 6 million copies for songstress Millie Small. A mono copy of the “My Boy Lollipop” album can get you $50.00 today, a stereo copy $75.00.

On May 12, 1951 the # 1 record on America’s Rhythm & Blues Chart is “Rocket 88,” the song most rock historians consider to be the first rock and roll record. Sam Phillips, the man who discovered Elvis, records this classic at the Memphis Recording Studios, which would soon become Sun Records. Sax player and lead singer, Jackie Brenston, and his band the Delta Cats are given all the credit. But in reality the band is the Kings of Rhythm with 19-year-old Ike Turner on piano who would later discover and marry Tina Turner. Released on the Chess label, the 78 is worth up to $750.00 while the 45 can sell for as much as $5,000.00 today.