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One of Rock N Roll’s first female songwriters was Jackie De Shannon. She had hits with “Needles and Pins” and “When You Walk in the Room” before both were hits for the Searchers. Among her biggest chart-makers are “What the World Needs Now” and “Put a Little Love in Your Heart.” Her only single to be released with a picture sleeve is “Faded Love” from 1963. Released on Liberty Records, the 45 with sleeve is worth up to $100.00 today.

Those obscure Soul records from the 1960’s and 70’s continue to be among the biggest record collectibles on the market today. In 1969, Apollo Records released “Popcorn ‘69” by Billy Ball and the Upsetters. A copy is worth up to $3,000.00 today. Lillie Bryant recorded for Tay-Ster Records in 1967. As part of the duo, Billy and Lillie, she had two big hits in the 50’s with “Lucky Ladybug” and “La De Dah.” But neither is worth more than $20.00. However, her single “Meet Me Halfway” is now worth up to $2,500.00.

Before Elvis, Jerry Lee Lewis, and so many other great Rock N Roll pioneers of the 1950’s, there was Bill Haley. By the time Elvis had his first national hit with “Heartbreak Hotel,” Bill Haley and his Comets had already released their 4^TH Rock N Roll album. “Rock N Roll Stage Show” features “Choo Choo Ch’ Boogie” and “Hot Dog Buddy Buddy.” The original copy of the album, released on Decca Records in 1956, is worth up to $200.00 today.

May Wells was crowned “Queen of Motown.” Her first hit came in 1962 with “The One Who Really Loves You.” Her biggest hit is the # 1 Billboard chart-topper, “My Guy.” Her 1962 hit, “You Beat Me to the Punch,” was nominated for a Grammy, making Mary Wells the first Motown star to be nominated. Released on Motown Records, the single is worth up to $50.00 and the picture sleeve can add another $200.00 to the value.

There were a lot of novelty records about the Beatles in the 1960’s. Among them was a song called “We Love You Beatles” by the Carefrees. The song was based on the “Bye Bye Birdie” song, “We Love You Conrad,” for the Conrad Birdie character. “We Love You Beatles” hit the top-40 and with its picture sleeve is worth up to $100.00 The album by the Carefrees, called “We Love You All,” contained their Beatles tribute. Released on London Records in 1964, the album can get you $400.00 today.

On September 29, 1958 the song on top of the charts is one written by a Nobel Peace Prize winner and former Vice President of the United States under Calvin Coolidge. His name is Charles Dawes. His composition of “Melody in A Minor” was written in 1912. In 1958, lyrics and a rock and roll beat were added and gave Tommy Edwards a #1 hit with “It’s All in the Game.” A copy of the 45 is worth up to $20.00 while a copy on a 78 can sell for $150.00 today.

In 1978, Jet Records released the single, “Sweet Talkin’ Woman” by Electric Light Orchestra (ELO). The original title was “Dead End Street.” Some words regarding that title can be heard on the record. “I’ve been livin’ on a dead end street.” A store-bought copy of “Sweet Talkin’ Woman” is worth not much more than $5.00 on black vinyl or $15.00 on purple vinyl. However, a red vinyl version can now sell for $350.00.

Due to riots and fights at their European concerts, the Kinks were not at first welcomed in the U.S. The title of their 1966 album, “The Kink Kontroversy,” refers to the problems they were experiencing. Fronted by brothers Dave and Ray Davies, the Kinks went on to become one of the most prolific hit-makers of the British Invasion. Released on Reprise Records, a stereo copy of “The Kink Kontroversy” is worth up to $25.00 but a mono copy can sell for $125.00 today.

Danny and the Juniors topped the charts in 1957 with “At The Hop,” one of the best known hits of the early Rock N Roll era. They followed up in 1958 with another Rock N Roll anthem, “Rock and Roll is Here to Stay.” Most say the kind of Rock N Roll they sang about ended somewhere in the mid-1960’s when “Rock” by itself described the music of the day. The 45, released on ABC-Paramount, is worth up to $25.00 but the 78 rpm version of “Rock and Roll is Here to Stay” can sell for $150.00 today. Both versions are shown here.

Mariah Carey first hit gold in 1990 with 4 consecutive #1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100. With a five octave vocal range, she has sold over 65 million records. With five Grammies, she was the best-selling recording artist of the 1990’s. Her single, “We Belong Together,” was named song-of-the decade for 2000-2009.” In 2008, Sky Forward Records released her album, “The Acapella Album.” A vinyl copy is now worth up to $200.00.