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The Crests was among the most successful interracial Doo Wop groups of the 50’s and 60’s. Led by Johnny Maestro, they racked up hits like “Trouble in Paradise,” and “The Angels Listened In.” But it all began with “16 Candles.” It went all the way to #2 in 1959. Released on Coed Records, the 45 is worth no more than $20.00 but on a 78 the value jumps up to $400.00.

In the early 1950,s the movie musical was in its heyday. Among the most successful and enduring was “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes” starring two of Hollywood’s most famous sex symbols, Jane Russell and Marilyn Monroe. Monroe’s rendition of “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend” was the inspiration for Madonna’s “Material Girl.” The soundtrack album, released on M-G-M Records in 1953, is worth up to $100.00 today. “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes” 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.

“They often call me Speedo but my real name is Mr. Earl” is the way to describe Earl Carroll, lead singer of the Cadillacs, which is one of Rock N Roll’s greatest Doo Wop groups. Their big hit,“Speedo,” which is worth up to $75.00 today, is on their 1957 album, “The Fabulous Cadillacs.” If you have or find a copy of the album on Jubilee Records and the record label is black it’s worth up to $200.00. If the record label is blue it can get you $500.00 today.

Eternity’s Children is among the bands that showed great promise in the mid to late 60’s, but because of bad luck, bad timing, and lack of proper promotion failed to become a well-known name in Rock N Roll’s psychedelic era. Their 45 of “Sunshine Among Us” with picture sleeve can now sell for $75.00. In 1968 Tower Records released the “Eternity’s Children” album. A copy is worth up to $125.00 today.

The Dovells, fronted by Len Barry, capitalized on a dance craze of the 60’s called the “stomp.” The “Bristol Stomp” referred to the dance as it was done at record hops in Bristol, Pennsylvania. The lyrics are still familiar to anyone who had a transistor radio back in the day. “The kids in Bristol are sharp as a pistol when they do the Bristol Stomp.” The 45 is worth up to $20.00 but the “Bristol Stomp” album, released on Parkway Records in 1961, is now worth up to $100.00.

In the early 60’s, there were Surf songs and Hot Rod songs. Many times both themes were recorded by the same groups such as the Beach Boys with “Surfin’ U.S.A” and “Surfer Girl” and tunes like “409” and “Little Deuce Coup.” The first instrumental Hot Rod song to make the charts was “Stick Shift” by the Duals in 1961. The original 45 is worth up to $50.00. In 1964 Sue Records released the “Stick Shift” album by the Duals. A copy can get you $300.00 today.

Kenny Dorham is considered by many as an underrated Jazz trumpeter. Despite that, he played with such greats as Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie Parker. Dorham also led his own group, the Jazz Prophets. In 1956 he recorded his debut album for Blue Note records,“‘Round About Midnight At The Cafe Bohemia.” A copy today is worth up to $1,000.00. His 1959 album, “Quiet Kenny,” on New Jazz Records can now sell for $2,000.00.

Albums with various songs by various singers are known as compilation albums. Many have value. In 1960, Fire Records released the album, “Memory Lane,” featuring Doo Wop groups such as the Velvets, the Kodaks, the Scarlets, the Charts, the Rainbows, the Channels, and the Teen Chords. A copy of the album can you $150.00 today. Find the value for all albums with various hits by various recording artists with the Mighty John Compilation Album Price Guide on a flash drive, available in the left hand column on this page.

The 1962 album, “Sentimentally Yours,” by Patsy Cline contained one of her biggest hits, “She’s Got You,” the single now worth up to $25.00. The album would be her last. A year later, at the age of 30, she would lose her life in a small plane crash. A mono copy of “Sentimentally Yours” is worth up to $200.00 today. A stereo copy can get you $300.00.

Doo Wop music is among the most collectible that falls under the wide umbrella of Rock N Roll. First developed in the 40’s, this harmony style of singing was a mainstay on the charts in the 50’s and early 60’s. Here are 2 examples. In 1952, Atlantic Records released the single, “A Beggar for Your Kisses,” by the Diamonds (not the “Little Darlin’ Diamonds). It is worth up to $1,000.00 today. In 1953, Deluxe Records issued the single, “Four Women,” by the Crystals (not the “Da Do Ron Ron” Crystals). It can get you $3,000.00.