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The 78 rpm record had pretty much vanished by the end of the 50’s as the 45 became the preferable way to release and hear the music of the day. One of the biggest hits for Ricky Nelson was one of the last Billboard Top 100 hits to be released both as a 78 and a 45. “It’s Late” reached # 9 in 1959. The 45, released on Imperial Records, is worth up to $50.00 with picture sleeve. However, the 78 can sell for $500.00 today. Both versions are shown here.

With a fusion of Jazz, Blues, Rock, and Country; the Allman Brothers released their first album, “The Allman Brothers Band,” in 1969. With their style of music they set the standard for other southern rockers like Lynyrd Skynyrd and Marshall Tucker. Despite little commercial appeal on top-40 radio, the Allman Brothers had a huge following. Their debut album, issued by Atco/Capricorn Records, is worth up to $400.00 today.

“Records you should know about” are records that most people have never heard of but can be worth a lot of money. Rosa Lee Brooks had one single in 1964 called “My Diary.” It wasn’t a hit and it might have gone completely unnoticed if not for the fact that Jimi Hendrix was playing guitar. Apparently, there was a romantic relationship between the two. It was Hendrix ‘s first time on a record. Released on Revis Records, an original copy of the 45 can get you $1,000.00 today. Check out the “Records you should know about” record guide in the yellow strip above for more free samples.

Two of the most collectible forms of Rock N Roll are Doo Wop and Rockabilly. In 1951, one of the earliest Doo Wop groups, the Orioles, recorded “It’s Too Soon to Know” for Jubilee Records. A copy can now sell for $2,500.00. In 1956, Sun Records released “Defrost Your Heart” by Rockabilly artist, Charlie Feathers. An original copy is worth up to $1,500.00 today.

In 1970, the Beatles had their 20^th and last #1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 with “The Long and Winding Road.” Written by Paul McCartney, the song was produced by the legendary Phil Spector. Paul was not impressed with the Spector touch. The song came about as a result of the tensions among members of the band. Their “road” was about to end. Released on Apple Records, the 45 with picture sleeve, is worth up to $150.00 today.

Ed Byrnes was a cast member on TV’s “77 Sunset Strip” in the 1950’s and 1960’s. As the cool-talking, comb-carrying hipster known as Kookie, he was Fonzie before Fonzie was Fonzie. It wasn’t long before record producers were after him. His biggest hit came in 1959 with “Kookie, Kookie (Lend Me Your Comb)” Best known for its last line “Baby, you’re the ginchiest,” the 45 was released on Warner Brothers Records. A mono copy can get you $30.00 while a stereo copy can sell for $100.00. Add another $30.00 for the picture sleeve.

The Pop-Eye was a popular dance craze of the early 60’s along with the Twist, the Pony, and the Mashed Potatoes. Chubby Checker’s version with picture sleeve can fetch $40.00 today. In 1962, the Mar-Keys got in on the fad with their album “Do the Pop-Eye.” They were the original house band at Stax Records in Memphis. Among the members were Steve Cropper, Donald “Duck” Dunn, Booker T, and Isaac Hayes. Released on Atlantic records in 1962, the “Do the Pop-Eye” album is worth up to $200.00 today.

Blues Image was a one-hit wonder with “Ride Captain Ride,” a Billboard top-10 classic in 1970. Finding little commercial success after that, they broke up with members finding their way into other bands like Iron Butterfly and Three Dog Night. “Ride Captain Ride,” released on ATCO Records, is worth no more than $20.00 but the Blues Image album, “Open,” containing their big hit, can get you a $100.00 today.

In 1959, Sammy Turner took a 1949 hit by Sammy Kaye called “Lavender Blue” and made it his own, reaching #3 on the Billboard Hot 100. Released on Big Top Records, the pink label mono version of the single is worth no more than $20.00 but a black label stereo copy can get you $150.00 today. Both versions are pictured here.

Some of the sexiest women of the 50’s and 60’s were better known for attributes other than their recordings. However, that doesn’t mean their records aren’t collectible. In 1964, Coral Records released the 45, “That’s How it Goes,” by Joey Heatherton. A copy with picture sleeve is worth up to $250.00. In 1958, before she became one of the castaways on “Gilligan’s Island,” Tina Louise recorded “It’s Time for Tina” on Concert Hall Records. The album can sell for $700.00 today.