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Elvis Presley and Ricky Nelson were the only two Rock N Rollers to have #1 albums in the 1950’s. Like Elvis, Ricky dominated the charts in the 1950’s and early 1960’s. His first hit for Imperial Records came in 1957 with “Be Bop Baby.” The 45 with picture sleeve is worth up to $100.00 and the 78 rpm version, as seen on the right, can get you $250.00 today.

The ultimate jam band was the Grateful Dead who came together in California in 1965 and were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994. Heavily associated with the hippy movement, the band and their fans had a “happening” every time they were at a concert. The first album the Grateful Dead recorded on their own label occurred in 1973 with “Wake Of The Flood.” A green vinyl copy, as seen here, can get you $750.00 today.

Mary Aiese was lead singer of one of the sixties’ lesser-known girl-groups. She took her professional name, Reparata, from her confirmation name, which she chose because of a teacher at the Catholic school she attended. Other than opening for the Rolling Stones on their 1965 tour, Reparata and the Delrons are best known for their single, “Whenever a Teenager Cries.” The 45 on World Artists Records can fetch $40.00.The album, released in 1965, can get you $150.00 today.

In 1972 Elvis Presley would have his last top-10 hit with “Burning Love.” It was Chuck Berry’s novelty hit of “My Ding-A-Ling” that kept the king from hitting # 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for the last time. If you have a copy of “Burning Love” with “It’s a Matter of Time,” on the flip side, look at the record label. If the label is orange, then you’ve got no more than $15.00. But if the record label is gray, as seen here, the value jumps up to $750.00.

“Piper at the Gates of Dawn,” a title taken from “The Wind in the Willows” by Kenneth Graham, was the debut album for Pink Floyd. Rolling Stone magazine includes it on their list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. It is also regarded as one of the best progressive and psychedelic albums of the 1960’s. Released on Tower Records in 1967, a copy in stereo with an orange record label can get you $350.00. Make that $400.00 for a mono copy.

The Olympics first found fame in 1958 with the top-10 hit, “(My Baby Loves The) Western Movies.” It was a Doo Wop novelty song based on the popular TV westerns of the day. Next up was their dance-craze hit, “(Baby) Hully Gully.” The “Western Movies” 45, released on Demon Records, is worth up to $50.00. Their 1960 album, “Doin’ The Hully Gully,” released on Arvee Records, can get you $200.00 today.

Joanie Sommers’ first hit came in 1960 with “One Boy” from the musical, “Bye Bye Birdie.” But her biggest hit ,“Johnny Get Angry,” hit #7 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1962. She later became a popular guest on TV game shows like “Hollywood Squares” and “The Match Game.” She also became known as the “Pepsi Girl” in the 60’s when she sang jingles for the soft drink. “Johnny Get Angry,” released by Warner Brothers, is worth no more than $20.00, but its one of her lesser-known singles that can bring you the big bucks. “Don’t Pity Me,” released by Warner Brothers in 1965, can sell for $800.00 today.

R. Dean Taylor was a record producer at Motown in 1970 when he wrote and recorded a top-10 Billboard hit on Motown’s Rare Earth record label. “Indiana Wants Me” tells the story of a fugitive being urged to give himself up. But record collectors don’t really want “Indiana Wants Me” as it’s not worth much more than 5 bucks. What record collectors really want is R. Dean Taylor’s first single ,“At the High School Dance.” An original on Audio Master records, released in 1960, is worth up to $500.00 today.

What was the first Rock N Roll record? No one can say for sure but many believe it was “Rocket 88″ by Jackie Brenston (with 19-year-old Ike Turner on piano). It was recorded at Sun Records by the legendary Sam Philips. Released on Chess Records in 1951 on a 78 RPM its worth up to $800.00 today. 1954 copies on 45 RPM are worth up to $5,000.00. Note: Beware, there are counterfeits. Originals have a Delta triangle symbol and number stamped in the trail-off area. Fakes do not. All known counterfeit records are listed and described on the Mighty John Record Appraisal Guide, available in the left hand column on this page.

“The Velvet Underground & Nico” on Verve Records featured among others, Lou Reed, John Cale, & Nico. Born Christa Paffgen, Nico’s gloomy, monotone voice made the music unique. The single from the album was “All Tomorrow’s Parties.” Released in 1966, the 45 can get you $750.00. The picture sleeve is a much bigger collectible. It’s worth up to $5,000.00 today.