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The Blues can make you happy if you come across some of the old Blues 78’s prior to World War II. For example, “Match Box Blues” by Blind Lemon Jefferson, released on Okeh Records in 1927, is worth up to $1,500.00. In 1928, Victor Records issued, “Brown Mama Blues,” by Ishman Bracy. A copy can get you $2,500.00 today.

Bruce Johnston became a member of the Beach Boys in 1965. Prior to that he found work backing such greats as Ritchie Valens, the Everly Brothers, and Eddie Cochran. Johnston’s first hit as a Beach Boy was “California Girls.” That single on Capitol Records is worth up to $75.00 with its picture sleeve. In 1963 Columbia Records released the Bruce Johnston album, “Surfin’ Round The World.” A copy can get you $350.00 today.

Rolling Stone magazine lists Lightnin’ Hopkins as one of the greatest guitarists of all time. It is said that he recorded almost 1000 songs. His recording career began in the 1940’s with Aladdin Records. It was the first of many labels that he worked for. Among the most successful was Fire Records with whom he recorded one of his biggest hits, “Mojo Hand.” The 1961 single, “Mojo Hand,” is worth no more than $20.00 but the 1962 “Mojo Hand” album can get you $1,200.00 today.

“Led Zeppelin lll” was the third album for the band and featured more folk rock and acoustic renditions. The “Immigrant Song” is the best known track. That 45 is not worth much more than $15.00 but the “Led Zeppelin III” album is collectible. The album features a movable wheel behind the front cover with more images than those on the front. Released on Atlantic Records in 1970, a copy can get you $300.00 today.

Ben E King had several hits in the early 1960’s including “Stand By Me,” which also became a hit again in 1986 with the release of the movie of the same name, based on a novel by Stephen King. Ben E King was also one of the lead singers for the Drifters on such hits as “Save the Last Dance for Me.” In 1961 he recorded “Spanish Harlem,” his first solo hit. The single, “Spanish Harlem,” is worth up to $25.00. The album, “Spanish Harlem,” released on ATCO Records, can get you $100.00 today.

The Left Banke was one of the many American bands who capitalized on the British Invasion with similar harmonies like their English contemporaries. Their biggest hit came in 1966 with “Walk Away Renee.” Their second album, “The Left Banke Too,” had a young Steven Tyler as a backing vocalist. This was well before his Aerosmith fame. The ”Walk Away Renee” album and  “The Left Banke Too” album, released on Smash Records, can each get you $75.00 today.

“Fever” was first a hit for Little Willie John in 1956 but was later covered by many stars like Peggy Lee, Nancy Sinatra, Elvis, and even Madonna. Little Willie John shot to stardom with 15 hits on the R & B charts. Unfortunately, like so many others to break out in the 50’s, his career ended tragically, dying in prison in 1968 under mysterious circumstances. Marvin Gaye once called Little Willie John, “the soul singer’s soul singer.” The single ,“Fever,” is worth up to $40.00. The album, “Fever,” released on King Records in 1956, can get you $100.00 if the cover is blue and $600.00 if the cover is brown as shown here.

In 1953 United Artists released the film, “Return to Paradise,” starring one of Hollywood’s all-time greats, Gary Cooper. The plot, based on a story by James Michner, tells of the conflict between a strict missionary and the American drifter whose carefree ways cause trouble in paradise. The soundtrack album, released on Decca Records, is worth up to $175.00 today. “Return to Paradise” is just one of the 10,000 soundtracks listed on our Soundtracks flash drive in Microsoft Word, covering movies, TV shows, and Broadway shows. It’s available in the left hand column.

From out of Jersey City, New Jersey comes Kool & the Gang. They have sold over 50,000,00 records since the release of their first album in 1969, Their biggest hits include “Ladies Night” and “Celebrate.” Their 1973 hit of “Jungle Boogie” was heard in the movie, “Pulp Fiction,” but is worth no more than $10.00. However, their debut self-titled album, released on De-Lite Records in 1969, can get you $300.00 today.

Waylon Jennings is a Country Music legend, but like many Country stars his roots were in Rock N Roll. It was Buddy Holly who was responsible for Waylon getting his first record, “Jole Blon.” And Waylon was on the tour with Buddy that resulted in that doomed flight which took the lives of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and the Big Bopper. “Jole Blon,” released on Brunswick Records in 1959, is worth up to $200.00 today.