moneymusic.com

Known as the “Big O,” Roy Orbison began his highly successful career as a Rockabilly artist but found a bigger audience with powerful ballads like “Running Scared,” “It’s Over,” and the number 1 smash, “Crying,” which Orbison wrote after seeing an old girlfriend. The single with picture sleeve can now sell for over $50.00. The “Crying” album was released on Monument Records in 1962. A mono copy is worth up to $300.00 but a stereo copy can get you $1,500.00 today.

Wanda Jackson is the Queen of Rockabilly. Inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame in 2009, she was often on stage shows with Elvis in the mid-50’s. Her Rock N Roll career peaked in 1960 with her signature hit, “Let’s Have a Party.” That 45 on Capitol records is worth up to $30.00. Then the Country side of her career blossomed with hits like “Right or Wrong” and “I’m in the Middle of a Heartache.” In 1960, Capitol Records released the album, “Rockin’ With Wanda.” An original copy can get you $300.00 today.

The Impressions began their long and successful career in 1958 when they added two of Rhythm & Blues’ greatest stars, Curtis Mayfield and Jerry Butler. In 1998, the group was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. They had their first hit with “For Your Precious Love.” Many more followed but with a Gospel flavor like “It’s All Right,’ “Amen,” and “People Get Ready.” In 1965, ABC Paramount Records released the album, “The Impressions’ Greatest Hits.” A copy can get you $200.00 today.

“Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy” by Elton John debuted at #1 in 1975. This was a first not just for Elton John but for anyone. The Captain was Elton John. Lyricist Bernie Taupin was the Brown Dirt Cowboy and the theme of the album captured their early struggles in pursuing a musical career. The album, released on MCA Records, is worth up to $15.00 on black vinyl but a brown vinyl copy as seen here can get you $500.00 today.

These are Records You Should Know About. One of the most collectible forms of Rock N Roll is Rockabilly, which blossomed in the 1950’s. Here are two to be on the look-out for. In 1957, Atomic Records released the single, “Got Rockin on My Mind,” by Curley Griffin. A copy is worth up to $1,500.00. That same year, Gene Criss & the Hep Cats recorded “Hep Cat Baby.” Released on Rhythm Records, a copy can get you $2,000.00 today. Click on “Records You Should Know About” in the yellow strip above for more free samples.

Rolling Stone magazine lists “Disraeli Gears” by Cream at # 144 on their coveted list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. The album itself was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999. The single from the album, “Sunshine of Your Love,” is Cream’s only million-seller in the U.S. It can now sell for $20.00. “Disraeli Gears” by Cream was released by ATCO Records in 1967. A mono copy can get you $50.00 today.

Before Jan and Dean were a hit-making duo, there was Jan and Arnie (Jan Berry & Arnie Ginsburg). In 1958 Jan & Arnie had a top-10 hit called “Jennie Lee,” which on Arwin Records can now sell for $75.00. Jennie Lee was a real girl, not the one next door but rather a popular local stripper. In 1960, Dot Records released the EP, “Jan & Arnie,” containing their hit, “Jennie Lee” plus their only other charting single “Gas Money.” A copy of the EP can get you $1,000.00 today.

The El Dorados hit #1 on the R&B charts in 1955 with the single, “At My Front Door,” which can now sell for $100.00. The song is also known as “Crazy Little Mama” as in “Crazy little mama come knockin,’ knockin’ at my front door.” Vee Jay Records released the album, “Crazy Little Mama” in 1958. A copy of the album with a black label is worth up to $300.00, but a copy with a maroon label can get you $1,000.00 today.

In 1983, MCA records released a promo-only copy of Michael Jackson’s, “Someone in the Dark.” The single is from Michael Jackson’s album, “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial.” The album went mostly unnoticed as the “Thriller” album was released about the same time. The promo single of “Someone In the Dark” can get you $1,500.00 today. Add up to $250.00 for the picture sleeve.

Philadelphia Soul came to prominence in the 60’s and 70’s. It was a smoother sound, different from the more commercial styles coming from Motown and Stax Records. Among the groups to capitalize on Philadelphia Soul were the Intruders. In 1968 they hit the top-10 with the million-selling single, “Cowboys to Girls.” The single is worth no more than $20.00 but the Intruder’s debut album, “The Intruders Are Together,” released on Gamble Records in 1967, can get you $250.00 today.