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The Louvin Brothers started out as Gospel singers in the 1940’s, but their real lives reflected more of the hard-drinking, womanizing Country tunes of the 50’s. Eventually, they did go Country. Married four times and shot four times, Ira Louvin’s life could have been a made-for-TV movie. And long before Peter Townsend of the Who was smashing guitars on stage, Ira was doing the same with mandolins. In 1956, Capitol Records released the Louvin Brothers’ album, “Tragic Songs of Life.” How appropriate! A copy can get you $100.00 today.

Barbara Lynn had one of the biggest hits of 1962 with “You’ll Lose a Good Thing.” The song has also been recorded by soul-sister Aretha Franklin and Country star Freddie Fender. But Barbara Lynn’s version is the classic. A copy of the 45 can fetch $40.00. She was one of the few African American women who played guitar as she sang. The album, “You’ll Lose a Good Thing,” released on Jamie Records in 1962, can get you $400.00 today.

Those 45’s that fall into a “Garage Rock” category can be quite valuable. In 1966, Pharaoh Records released the single, “24 Hours,” by the Headstones. A copy is now worth up to $1,500.00. That same year Fairchild Records issued, “Problem Child,” by the Four More. An original copy can get you as much as $2,500.00 today. These are records you should know about. “Records you should know about” are records that most people have never heard by recording artists most people have never heard of BUT can be worth a LOT of money. The “Records You Should Know About” appraisal guide is on a flash drive in Microsoft Word. Click on “Records You Should Know About” in the yellow strip above for free samples.

As in postage stamps, a mis-print or mistake can make a record collectible. An example would be the top-10 hit, “Helen Wheels,” by Paul McCartney. Released on Apple Records in 1973, a correctly printed copy of the 45 is no more than $10.00, but a copy omitting the printing on the label can get you $350.00 today. Both versions are shown here.

In December 1961 the Marvelettes hit #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 with “Please Mr. Postman,” making the girl-group the first Motown artists to reach the coveted spot on the charts. Then, to take advantage of the most popular dance craze of the day, the Marvelettes followed up with “Twistin’ Postman.” Released on Tamla Records in 1962, a copy of the single with picture sleeve can get you $100.00 today.

Jane Mansfield was almost as popular and famous as Marilyn Monroe when it came to Hollywood sex symbols and blonde bombshells. When Jane’s film career began to decline she found new popularity in nightclubs. In 1961, 20th Century Fox released “Jane Busts Up Las Vegas.” Her beauty was also featured on album covers for other recording artists such as “Music For Bachelors” by Henri Rene for RCA in 1955. Both albums, as shown here, can get you $100.00 today.

Joe Hill Louis was a session musician for Sam Phillips at Sun Records in the years that pre-dated Elvis. Louis was literally a one-man band who could play guitar and drums simultaneously. He is credited with recording the first record that Sam Phillips produced. Released in 1950 on Sam Phillips’ label, It’s The Phillips, “Gotta Let You Go” by Joe Hill Louis can get you $6,000.00 today.

Much of the Surf music of the sixties is collectible, not only by the best known recording artists such as the Beach Boys, Jan & Dean, the Astronauts, and Dick Dale but also some lesser known bands like the Lively Ones. Their 1963 single, “Surf Rider,” can now sell for $75.00. Their 1963 album, “Surf Rider,” released on Del-Fi Records, can get you $200.00 today.

Peggy Lee was a towering figure among American Jazz singers. Along with Ertha Kitt, Lee developed a sultry purr sound to her voice. Her big break came when Benny Goodman made her a “girl singer” with his band. Best known for hits like “Fever” and “Is That All There Is,” she recorded mostly for Capitol Records. But in 1953 she recorded one of her best received albums for Decca called “Black Coffee.” In 1957 it was re issued with a different cover. Either version can get you $200.00 today.

“Kiss And Say Goodbye” by the Manhattans spent two weeks at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 in 1976. First formed in 1964, the Manhattans can’t be considered an over-night success. However, their one giant hit will live for a long time. It’s an oddity because there is a “G-rated” version and an “X-rated” version. Released on Columbia Records the more common copy heard on top-40 radio is worth no more than $10.00 but the version with “X-rated” printed on the label, as seen on the right in white, is worth up to $400.00 today.