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In the early days of Rock N Roll many artists had hits with the same song such as “I’m Walkin’” for both Fats Domino and Ricky Nelson. Little Richard and Pat Boone each had hits with “Tutti Frutti.” Elvis and Carl Perkins both scored big with “Blue Suede Shoes.” And in 1957 the Kuf Linx and the Original Casuals each charted with “So Tough.” The 45 by the Kuf Linx on Challenge Records is worth up to $50.00 but find the song on the EP, “Three Kisses Past Midnight,” by the Original Casuals on Back Beat Records and $400.00 could be yours.

The song that first made the Bee Gees a “disco” band was “You Should Be Dancing,” hitting #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1976. The song is also part of the soundtrack from “Saturday Night Fever.” The 45, released by RSO Records, is not a big collectible at $5.00 but it was also released to radio as a 12-inch single. A copy is worth up to $125.00 today. Both versions are shown here.

Among the biggest hits for Connie Francis came in 1959 with the release of “Lipstick on Your Collar.” It hit #5 on the Billboard Hot 100. The flip-side “Frankie,” about Frankie Avalon, also went top-10 making the single the most successful two-sided hit for Connie Francis. Released on M-G-M Records, a mono copy is worth up to $20.00 while a stereo copy can get you $150.00 today. Both versions are shown here.

Otis Blackwell wrote some of the greatest hits of the early Rock N Roll era including “Great Balls of Fire” for Jerry Lee Lewis and “Don’t Be Cruel” and “All Shook Up” for Elvis Presley. Blackwell’s first song to become a classic came in 1955 with “Fever” by Little Willie John and later a bigger smash for Peggy Lee. He was also a piano player and recorded many songs himself. His 1955 single, “Let the Daddy Hold You,” released on JAY-DEE Records can now sell for $1,000.00. In 1956 Davis Records released the album, “Singin’ the Blues,” by Otis Blackwell. A copy is also worth up to $1,000.00 today.

The Chocolate Watch Band broke out of San Jose, California in the mid-60s. Their music was a mix of Garage Rock and Psychedelic Rock. Heavily influenced by the Rolling Stones, they found little commercial top-40 appeal but were good enough to be the opening act for the Doors. The first album for the Chocolate Watch Band was released by Tower Records in 1967. “No Way Out” is worth up to $600.00 today.

One of the few Elvis movie soundtracks to hit #1 on the Billboard album charts in the mid-60’s was “Roustabout.” Also starring the legendary Barbara Stanwyck, the album featured no hit singles, unlike most Elvis films. Released on RCA, the value depends on several factors. A mono copy with “mono” at the bottom of the label is worth up to $400.00. A mono copy with “monaural” at the bottom of the label is up to $100.00. A stereo copy with “stereo” at the bottom of a black label can get you $400.00. A copy with the RCA logo in white on a black label and other print in silver is worth up to $75.00. A version where the label is orange and the vinyl is rigid can sell for $150.00. An orange label with flexible vinyl is no more than $30.00. The album with a tan label is valued up to $100.00, but a black label with dog near the top is no more than $20.00.

One of the most unusual ways to promote an album happened in 1968 when the Waleeco Candy Company hired a Boston band to cut a commercial. The band known as Flat Earth Society has been recognized over the years as truly innovative and talented. The way to obtain a copy of the album was to send proof of purchase of 6 Waleeco candy bars along with $1.60 to the candy company. It was a pretty good investment as the “Waleeco” album, released by Fleetwood Records, can get you $400.00 today.

Ray Bloch and his orchestra first became famous as the band who played for performances on the “Ed Sullivan Show” when it was known as “Toast of the Town.” The band also played for the “Jackie Gleason Show.” Gleason would introduce him as “the flower of the musical world.” In 1953, Ray Bloch and his orchestra recorded the theme for the Academy Award winner, “From Here to Eternity.” The picture sleeve for the single pictures the film cast including Frank Sinatra, Burt Lancaster, Donna Reed, and Deborah Kerr. Released by Coral Records, the sleeve is worth up to $500.00 today.The picture sleeves for 45’s are worth more than the records. You can find the value for over 10,000 picture sleeves. Click on “Mighty John’s Picture Sleeve Guide” in the yellow strip near the top of the page.

The Crests was perhaps the most diverse and racially integrated group in Doo Wop including two black men, a Puerto Rican, an Italian, and a black woman. That female was Patricia Vandross, older sister of Luther Vandross. But when Patricia’s mother refused to let her young daughter go out on tour, the Crests became a quartet. They first caught the attention of record buyers everywhere in 1959 with “16 Candles.” More hits followed like “The Angels Listened In.” That single is worth up to $40.00 but the EP, released on COED Records in 1960, can sell for $1,000.00 today.

The album “Smiley Smile” by the Beach Boys, released in 1967 on Brother Records, was their least successful up until that time. However, over the years it has become much more appreciated and sought after. Recorded in Brian Wilson’s home studio in Bel Air, the quality suffered as a result of not having the high tech gear of Capitol Records’ studio. One of the tracks on the album, called “Vegetables,” features the sounds of Paul McCartney munching on celery. The “Smiley Smile” album in stereo is worth up to $250.00 but a first-pressing mono copy can fetch $500.00 today.