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The Marvelettes was the first of Motown’s girl-groups to have a #1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100. It happened in 1961 with “Please Mr. Postman.” With the rise of the Supremes, the Marvelettes were given less promotion. But despite the money and heavy promotion being showered on the Supremes, the Marvelettes still cranked out classics like “Playboy,” “Beechwood 4-5789,” and “Don’t Mess with Bill.” Their 1963 album, “Marvelous “Marvelettes,” released on Motown’s Tamla label, is worth up to $300.00 today. Their album “Playboy” can now fetch $500.00.

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The band, Vanilla Fudge, was managed by Phillip Basile, of the reputed Lucchese crime family who operated several popular clubs in New York. Members of Vanilla Fudge were great admirers of the Beatles and covered several of their songs including, “Ticket to Ride,” Eleanor Rigby,” and “You Can’t do That.” However, they only found success when they covered the Supemes’ hit, “You Keep Me Hangin On.” The single by Vanilla Fudge went top-10 on Billboard but is worth no more than $15.00 while the Supremes’ 45 went to # 1 in 1966. With picture sleeve, a copy can sell for $100.00 today.

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The Trashmen are best known for their 1963 hit, “Surfin Bird.” It went all the way to number 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 despite the fact that many radio stations wouldn’t play it because of the irritating sounds made in the record. The 45 on Garrett Records is worth up to $25.00. The “Surfin Bird” album on Soma/Garrett Records is now worth up to $300.00 in mono and up to $500.00 in stereo. (Find the values for over a million records in our “Record Appraisal Guide,” available in the left hand column)

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As the Funk Brothers was the studio band for Motown, so was the Mar-Keys for Stax Records where some of the greatest Soul songs of the sixties were recorded. In 1961, the Mar-Keys hit #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 with the instrumental, “Last Night.” The single on Satellite Records can now sell for $30.00. In the mid-seventies, the NBA on NBC used “Last Night” as background music. The hit can also be heard in the movies, “Blues Brothers 2000,” and “Rush Hour 3.” The “Last Night” album, released on Atlantic Records, is worth up to $150.00 today.(Find the values for over a million records in our “Record Appraisal Guide,” available in the left hand column)

Jerry Seinfeld said his show was about nothing and that’s what Paul McCartney said about the Beatles’ record, “Hello Goodbye.” The song was part of the “Magical Mystery Tour” album. When released as a 45 in 1967 it became the Beatles’ 15^TH  #1 single on the Billboard Hot 100. John Lennon thought little of the song and couldn’t believe it became a chart-topper. An original copy on Capitol Records is worth up to $125.00 with its picture sleeve. A promo version, as seen here, can sell for $250.00 today.(Find the values for all promo records that are worth more than the commercial versions released in stores with “Mighty John’s Promo Records Guide,” available in the yellow strip above.)

“Hitchin a Ride” was a top-10 classic for Vanity Fare in June of 1970. If you have a copy, is the group listed as Vanity FARE or Vanity FAIR? The single, released in 1970 on Pageone Records lists the group as Vanity Fare and is worth up to $15.00. However, first issues on Soma Records from 1968 list the group as Vanity Fair and a copy can sell for $150.00 today. (All the little things that can make a big difference in record values are described in detail in Mighty John’s “Record Appraisal Guide,” available in the left hand column.)

“This Boy,” also known as, “Ringo’s Theme,” was on the first Beatles album on Capitol Records, “Meet the Beatles.” John Lennon tried to give the song a Motown feel. Paul McCartney said they were also influenced by the Phil Spector song, “To Know Him is to Love Him,” as sung by the Teddy Bears. In 1964, George Martin and his orchestra released the instrumental version of “Ringo’s Theme.” Released by United Artists, the 45 with picture sleeve is worth up to $100.00 today.(Find the values for over a million records in our “Record Appraisal Guide,” available in the left hand column)

With hits like “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Going On,” it seemed like Jerry Lee Lewis’ star would burn bright for a long time, that is until he married his 13-year old cousin. The hits stopped. The concerts stopped. His star faded even with classics like “Great Balls of Fire,” which is worth up to $150.00 with its picture sleeve. Then, after several years, memories faded and the comeback was on with the album, “The Return of Rock.” Released on Smash Records in 1965, a copy can get you $100.00 today. It met with good success but nothing like the fame he gained when his Country Music career brought him back to the top of the charts.(Find the values for every record by Jerry Lee Lewis and by over 75,000 other recording artist in our “Record Appraisal Guide,” available in the left hand column.)

Marvin Gaye was one of Motown’s most successful recording artist. For years, he wanted to be taken more seriously as a singer of standards in the vein of Nat King Cole and Sam Cooke. However, the record label was more interested in the top-40 market and pushing him to accept the teen idol image. His album, “Moods of Marvin Gaye,” released in 1966 featured two of those teen-oriented hits. “Ain’t That Peculiar” and “I’ll Be Doggone” quickly climbed the charts. The album is worth up to $275.00 today. (Find the values for every record by Marvin Gaye in our “Record Appraisal Guide,” available in the left hand column.)

Known as the “king of the blues,” B.B. King was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987. Well into his 80’s, King continued to perform as many as 100 concerts a year. The B.B. stands for “Blues Boy.” Early in his career he ran into a burning building to save his guitar. Later, learning the fire was caused by two guys fighting over a girl named Lucille, he named all his guitars, “Lucille.” His 1958 album “The Blues,” released by Crown Records, can sell for $450.00 today. His first record, “Miss Martha King,” from 1949, released as a 78 on Bullet Records, can sell for $2,000.00 today. (Find the values for every record by B.B. King and by over 75,000 other recording artist in our “Record Appraisal Guide,” available in the left hand column.)