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Among the most valuable records are Doo Wop, and among the most popular Doo Wop groups of the 50’s was the Del-Vikings, one of the first groups to include black as wells as white members. They were Air Force personnel stationed in Pittsburgh. Because various members were transferred to other bases, several different members came and went. Their biggest hit was “Come Go With Me” in 1957. Most copies were sold on Dot Records and worth up to $40.00. However, first issues were on Fee Bee Records and can sell for $500.00 today. Both original labels are shown here.

Country Joe and the Fish was one of the first political, psychedelic bands to emerge in the late 60’s with classics like “Feel-Like-I’m-Fixin’-To-Die Rag,” which can sell for $20.00, and the famous “Fish Cheer.” Their 1967 album, “Electric Music for the Mind and Body,” released on Vanguard Records, is worth up to $100.00 today.

Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller were among the most sought after songwriters of the 50’s and 60’s. They wrote enough hits to fill a Broadway show. The title of that show is the same as one of their earliest hits, “Smokey Joe’s Café.” The single was recorded by the Robins whose members Carl Gardner and Bobby Nunn became part of one of Rock and Roll’s most popular groups, the Coasters. The 45 of “Smokey Joe”s Cafe” can  sell for $150.00 today. The 78 for $250.00.

Eric Clapton, Jack Bruce, and Ginger Baker made up the blues-rock super trio known as Cream. In just three years they sold 15 million records. Their last album for ATCO Records, “Goodbye Cream,” was released in 1969 and recorded at London’s Royal Albert Hall. It’s worth up to $30.00 if the record label is yellow. However, if the label is pink and tan as shown here, the value jumps up to $350.00.

The Zombies were among the groups who rode the wave of the British Invasion. Forming their band at St. Albans school in England, they had just about given up when they won a contest, which led to a recording contract with Decca Records. That led to the single “She’s Not There.” In the U.S. it reached #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1964. A copy of the 45 is worth up to $15.00. The Zombies’ first album in the U.S. was called “The Zombies” and released on Parrot Records in 1965 and is worth up to $75.00 in mono and $100.00 in stereo.

Young Roy Orbison played mostly Country music with his band, the Wink Westerners. However, a college friend and future hit-maker, Pat Boone, urged Roy to lean more toward the new music craze called Rock and Roll. Orbison then formed a new band called the Teen Kings and released his first 45, “Ooby Dooby,” on Je-wel Records in 1955. An original copy can sell for $1,200.00 today. Counterfeits exist and look identical. Contact us if in doubt. The single was later released on Sun Records in 1956 and that version is worth up to $150.00 today.

“Surfin’ Bird” is one of those songs you hear once and either love it or hate it. Recorded by the Trashmen, it went all the way to #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1965 even though many radio stations refused to play it. The song has been used on soundtracks for movies such as “Full Metal Jacket” and TV shows like “Family Guy.” The “Surfin’ Bird” 45 is worth up to $25.00. But the album, released on Soma/Garrett Records, is worth up to $100.00 in mono and $200.00 in stereo.

Alice Cooper, a pioneer of Shock Rock, chopped up rubber dolls and simulated executions on stage while draping a live boa constrictor around his neck. He is entertaining! In 1972, he released “School’s Out,” his first major hit but worth no more than $10.00. The album, released by Warner Brothers, came with paper panties, but that’s only part of what makes it collectible. The big value depends on the back cover. If the song titles are listed on the back, the album is worth up to $100.00 with the paper panties. If the back cover does not list titles, then hold on to your panties. It can get you $500.00 today.

“Don’t Be Cruel” with “Hound Dog” on the flip side is Elvis Presley’s all-time best-selling 2-sided single and his personal favorite. The king recorded 28 takes before settling on the version heard on record. “Don’t Be Cruel” was originally offered to a young Frankie Valli but song-writer Otis Blackwell asked him to let Elvis record what would become a Rock & Roll classic. Elvis held the #1 spot on the Billboard charts for 11 weeks in 1956. Released by RCA, the 45 is worth up to $50.00. The black and white picture sleeve can sell for $100.00 today.

What’s the most valuable record by the Rolling Stones without a picture sleeve? That would be their first release in the U.S. on London Records in 1964. The title, “Stoned,” made radio stations reluctant to play it. An original copy can sell for $12,000.00 today.