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Buddy Miles had an extensive, interesting career. He played with Jimi Hendrix and sang lead vocals for the California Raisins, the Claymation group from the commercials. Before he formed his own band, the Buddy Miles Express, he played with Wilson Pickett, the Electric Flag, and Santana. His biggest hit came in 1970 with “Them Changes,” which is worth no more than $10.00. His most valuable 45 is from 1975. Released on Columbia Records, “I’m Just a Kiss Away” is worth up to $200.00 today.

Smokey Robinson is as important to the Motown story as its founder, Barry Gordy. Bob Dylan has called Smokey Robinson “America’s greatest living poet.” With the Miracles, Smokey had 27 top-40 hits and many more as a solo performer. In 1961, Tamla Records, a division of Motown, released the album “Cookin’ with the Miracles.” Copies with a yellow record label are worth up to $350.00 while a white record label copy as seen here can get you $800.00 today.

“Mighty John’s Record Appraisal Guide” on a flash drive in Microsoft Word lists the values for over a million records (albums, 45s and 78s.) Over 75,000 recording artists from 1902 to the present day. It’s available in the left column for $24.95. Free shipping in the U.S.A.

Dick Dale, originally from Boston, is credited with being the earliest pioneer of Surf music, which blossomed after he moved to California. He is known as the “King of the Surf Guitar.” His 1958 hit, “Miserlou,” on Deltone Records is worth up to $200.00 today. It gained prominence again in 1994 when it was featured in the movie, “Pulp Fiction.” Surf music and Hot Rod music were Dick Dale’s mainstays. His 1964 album, “Mr. Eliminator,” released on Capitol Records, is worth up to $125.00 in mono and $250.00 in stereo.

“Mighty John’s Record Appraisal Guide” on a flash drive in Microsoft Word lists the values for over a million records (albums, 45s and 78s.) Over 75,000 recording artists from 1902 to the present day. It’s now available in the left column for $24.95.Free shipping in the U.S.A.

Following the death of his singing partner, Tammi Terrell, Motown superstar, Marvin Gaye, fell into a deep depression. After years of well-crafted top-40 airplay it was a song of political consciousness that brought him out of the doldrums. “What’s Going On” was released in 1971. Ironically, it was the first album on which Motown’s studio band, the Funk Brothers, were given credit. Released on Motown’s subsidiary Tamla label, the album is worth up to $100.00 today. His 1967 red vinyl single, “If This World Were Mine,” with Tammi Terrell can now sell for $500.00.

“Mighty John’s Record Appraisal Guide” on a flash drive in Microsoft Word lists the values for over a million records (albums, 45s and 78s.) Over 75,000 recording artists from 1902 to the present day. It’s now available in the left column for $24.95. Free shipping in the U.S.A.

One of Rock and Roll’s greatest anthems of the 50’s is “At the Hop” by Danny & the Juniors. Supposedly, it was Dick Clark who suggested the original title of “Do the Bop” be changed to “At the Hop.” First released on Philadelphia’s local label, Singular, the 45 is worth up to $400.00 where the label is blue. A black Singular label would be no more than $15.00. Copies on ABC Paramount are worth up to $40.00. However, the “At the Hop” EP, as seen here on ABC Paramount, can also fetch $400.00 today.

“Mighty John’s Record Appraisal Guide” on a flash drive in Microsoft Word lists the values for over a million records (albums, 45s and 78s.) Over 75,000 recording artists from 1902 to the present day. It’s available in the left column for $24.95.
Free shipping in the U.S.A.

“The 7^TH Voyage of Sinbad,” released by Columbia Pictures in 1958, was the first in a series of Sinbad movies. It featured the animation of the legendary Ray Harryhausen. Starring Kerwin Matthews and Kathryn Grant, the original soundtrack on Colpix Records can sell for $200.00 today. “The 7^TH Voyage of Sinbad” 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.

Bobby Darin was truly a man of many talents. He was a 1950’s teen idol, a swinging Big Band crooner in the style of Frank Sinatra, a Blues singer rivaling Ray Charles, and a successful actor. Darin was nominated for an Academy Award for his role in “Capt. Newman M.D.” He was also somewhat of a psychic, predicting that he would die at an early age. He was only 37 when his heart gave out. His 1960 album, “Bobby Darin for Teenagers Only,” released on ATCO Records, is worth up to $150.00 today.

“Mighty John’s Record Appraisal Guide” on a flash drive in Microsoft Word lists the values for over a million records (albums, 45s and 78s.) Over 75,000 recording artists from 1902 to the present day. It’s now available in the left column for $24.95. Free shipping in the U.S.A.

One of the great one-hit-wonders of the early Rock and Roll era is “Sorry (I Ran All the Way Home)” by the Impalas, a vocal group from Brooklyn. It was the legendary Dee Jay, Alan Freed, who got them a recording contract. The 45 is worth up to $25.00 if it shows the title as “Sorry (I Ran All the Way Home” but up to $100.00 if the label reads “I Ran All the Way Home” as shown here. Their one and only album was released by Cub Records in 1959. A mono copy is worth up to $350.00. A stereo version can sell for $500.00 today.

Mickey & Sylvia had one of the biggest hits of 1956 with “Love is Strange.” Released on Groove Records, a copy of the 45 is worth up to $50.00. But you can’t say Sylvia Vanderpool is a one-hit-wonder as she went on to produce hits like “Love On a Two Way Street” for the Moments in 1970 and “Shame Shame Shame” for Shirley & Company in 1975. In 1973, Sylvia also recorded the hit, “Pillow Talk,” which went to #3 on the Billboard Hot 100. Her debut album with Mickey, “New Sounds,” was released by Vik Records in 1957 and can sell for $350.00 today.

Usually the death of a recording artist does not affect the value of his or her records. Speculation kicks in immediately after the loss of a superstar. It might be a good time to sell but not to buy. Prices tend to settle back down to pre-death values after sixty days. However, Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” album went up in value and stayed there. A standard black vinyl copy is worth up to $40.00 for an original but the picture disc version is worth up to $400.00 today.