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Genesis is one of the most popular and well-known groups of the seventies and eighties. They really had two different sounds, first with Peter Gabriel who was known for art rock and influencing such groups as Kansas and Styx. And then there’s the Genesis with Phil Collins as lead singer opting for a more romantic and commercial sound. The first Genesis single, “The Silent Sun,” released on a black Parrot Records label in 1968 is worth up to $4,500.00 today. The promo copy on an orange label is easier to find and worth up to $400.00.

In 1963, the Beach Boys had their second big hit with “Surfin’ U.S.A.” However, not all is sunny in southern California as they are soon sued by Rock and Roll pioneer Chuck Berry for ripping off one of his biggest hits. He wins as his classic “Sweet Little Sixteen” matches “Surfin U.S.A” note for note. Chuck wins again when it comes to value. A copy of the Beach Boys’ classic 45 is worth up to $30.00 while Chuck Berry’s “Sweet Little Sixteen” on a 78 can net you a “sweet” $200.00 today.

Help” is the title of the Beatles’ 10th album in the U.S. and the soundtrack from the movie of the same time. John Lennon said the song, “Help,” was a cry for help as he was going through a deep depression at the time. It was originally meant to be a ballad, but pressure from the record company made him turn it into a commercial up-tempo “top-40″ offering. The original 45 with picture sleeve is worth up to $250.00. The original 1965 release of the album on Capitol Records is worth up to $250.00 in stereo and $350.00 in mono.

With the opening theme “The biggest show in town is Huckleberry Hound. For all you guys and gals. The biggest clown in town is Huckleberry Hound with all his cartoon pals,” this animated series debuted in 1958. Sponsored by Kellogg’s, the show was the creation of Hanna & Barbera. The 1959 soundtrack album, released in 1959 on Colpix Records, is worth up to $200.00 today. “Huckleberry Hound” is just one of the 10,000 soundtracks listed on our Soundtracks Guide, covering movies, TV, and Broadway shows. It’s available in the left hand column.

“I Fought The Law (and the law won)” was a top-10 hit for the Bobby Fuller Four in 1965 on Mustang Records, and now worth up to $40.00. Fuller’s death, attributed to swallowing gasoline, remains an unsolved homicide and possible police cover-up. Maybe the law did win. However, his classic lives on in Rock N Roll history and mystery. The original issue of “I Fought The Law” was released on Exeter Records in 1964 and is worth up to $500.00 today.

Best known as the creator of the Bakersfield Sound and co-star of TV’s “Hee Haw” along with Roy Clark, Buck Owens had the Country music tiger by the tail in the 1960’s with hits like “Act Naturally,” later covered by the Beatles, and “Waitin’ In Your Welfare Line.” However, like many Country stars, Buck was a Rock N Roller in the beginning. Recording as Corky Jones, his 1956 single “Hot Dog” on Pep Records can sell for $400.00 today.  The same song under his Buck Owens name was released on New Star Records in 1958 and can bring $300.00 today.

Tommy Roe had a lot of what was known as bubble-gum hits in the 1960’s and 70’s such as “Sweet Pea” and “Jam Up Jelly Tight.” He hit number one in 1969 with “Dizzy.” His fist hit came in 1962 with “Sheila.” Issued on ABC Paramount it’s not worth more than $20.00. However, two years earlier Tommy Roe recorded it for Judd records, which released it with a different spelling: “Shelia” That version is worth up to $300.00 today.

“(Let me take you on a) Sea Cruise” is one of the best-loved hits of the 1950’s with multiple millions sold (mostly as 45’s). Frankie Ford made a living from his classic hit from 1959. The 45 rpm version is up to $50.00, but If you have a copy on 78 rpm on Ace Records with “Roberta” on the flip side as seen here, it’s worth up to $2,000.00 today. Makes you wanna say “Oo wee oo wee baby!”

Some hits come about in the strangest ways. Legend has it that Monotones member Charles Patrick heard a commercial for Pepsodent toothpaste including the line “You’ll wonder where the yellow went…” and wrote a hit called“(Wonder Who Wrote) The Book of Love.” Released in 1958 on Argo Records, the 45 is worth up to $50.00. But it was first issued in 1957 on Mascot Records. A copy on that label can sell for $600.00 today.

Marianne Faithful had her first hit in 1964 when she was just seventeen. “As Tears Go By,” written by boyfriend Mick Jagger, would be her biggest hit. An original copy on London Records can get you $50.00. However, another song written for her by Jagger during her drug use is her most collectible. “Sister Morphine,” recorded in 1969 with the Rolling Stones backing her up and released on London Records, is worth up to $150.00 today.