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Fats Domino was a national treasure whose contributions to Rock and Roll can’t be measured by radio-play and record sales. Among his biggest hits are “Ain’t It a Shame,” “Blue Monday,” and “Blueberry Hill.” His first record, “The Fat Man,” came in 1950 well before the acknowledged birth of Rock and Roll. Released on Imperial Records, a copy of the 78 is worth up to $400.00. His first 45, “Korea Blues,” can get you $1,000.00 today.

One of the most prolific hit-makers of the late 60’s and early 70’s was Three Dog Night. They had 18 consecutive top-20 hits with several number ones including “Mama Told Me Not to Come” and “Joy to the World.” In 1970, ABC/Dunhill released the Three Dog Night album, “It Ain’t Easy.” There were two different album covers. One shows the group fully clothed and worth no more than $15.00. Another version pictures three vocalists, four musicians and one unidentified girl—all nude. The cover can sell for $200.00 today. Both are shown here.

Among the girl-groups of the 60,s who had a  short-lived but very successful chart-run was the Dixie Cups. When Phil Spector refused to let the Ronettes record “Chapel Of Love,” it was given to the Dixie Cups and the rest is history with a song that is as popular today as it was in 1964. An original copy of the 45 is worth up to $25.00. However, the album, as seen here on the left and released on Red Bird records, can sell for $100.00 today.

Dion is one of the most successful singers to have a successful group, the Belmonts. He became even more successful as a solo artist. In 1989, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. His biggest hit came in 1961 with “Runaround Sue.” The album of the same name was released on Laurie Records that same year. A black vinyl copy is no more than $25.00. However, a copy on green vinyl, as seen here, can sell for $700.00 today.

One of the true pioneers of Rock and Roll was Bo Diddley, the name given to him by a grammar school classmate. He was the only recording artist to have a hit named after himself. That song, “Bo Diddley,” by Bo Diddley was an immediate smash in 1955 and worth up to $150.00 as a 78. His syncopated ham-bone beat was unique at the time and later adapted by bands like the Who on songs like “Magic Bus.” The album, “Bo Diddley,” released on Chess Records in 1958, can sell for $300.00 today.

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The Troggs weren’t really one-hit-wonders but the success of their biggest hit, “Wild Thing,” in 1966 was so huge that it makes their lesser hits like “With a Girl Like You” and “Love is All Around” seem insignificant. The Troggs sold 5 million copies of “Wild Thing.” With so many copies, it’s worth no more than $20.00. But a mono copy of the “Wild Thing” album, released on ATCO Records, is worth up to $200.00 today.

Girl-groups such as the Shirelles and the Supremes have played a big part in the storied history of Rock and Roll. One of the earliest and most loved was the Chantels who with Arlene Smith at the front mike gave us one of Doo-Wop’s greatest hits in 1957 with “Maybe,” which is worth up to $150.00 today. Their 1958 album, “We Are The Chantels,” on End records, as seen here, can sell for $2,000.00.

Arthur “Big Boy” Crudup might be best known as the guy, who wrote and first recorded “That’s All Right,” which became the first single in the unending career of Elvis Presley. The Elvis 45 on the Sun record label from 1954 is worth up to $1,000.00 today. Crudup was one of the many early Blues artists who never received the full royalties he was due. His 1962 album, “Mean Ol’ Frisco,” released by Fire Records, can also fetch up to $1,000.00 today.

Uriah Heep was a rock band formed in London who took their name from a character in a Charles Dickens novel. The group has sustained multiple personnel changes over the years. They found most of their fame in the 1970’s. Their biggest hit, “Easy Livin,” came in 1972. It’s worth no more than $10.00 but their 1972 album, “Magician’s Birthday,” released on Mercury Records, can get you $250.00 today.