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In 1969, the Winstons hit big with the top-10 smash, “Color Him Father.” The song is about a young boy honoring the man “with the big wide grin” who took in and married his mother, a widow with 7 children. The single, released on Metromedia Records, is worth up to $25.00 while the “Color Him Father” album can get you $100.00 today.

The success of the Marlon Brando film “The Wild Ones” inspired a number of copy-cat motorcycle gang/hot rod movies such as the 1957 release, “Hot Rod Rumble.” The plot was of no importance. It was the drag-strip girls, the fast cars, and the final predictable winner of the big race that was most important. And of course, the music. The soundtrack is by Alexander Courage who is best known for writing the original “Star Trek” theme. The “Hot Rod Rumble” album, released on Liberty Records in 1957, is worth up to $150.00 today. “Hot Rod Rumble” is just one of the 10,000 soundtracks listed on our Soundtracks guide in Microsoft Word, covering movies, TV shows, and Broadway shows. It’s available in the left hand column.

The first solo album by a member of the Beach Boys came in 1977 with the release of “Pacific Blue Ocean” by Dennis Wilson. Sales are estimated at around 300,000 copies. A second album called “Bambu” was never completed as drug abuse in his out-of-control life prohibited him from finishing it as well as his unfortunate drowning in 1983. “Pacific Blue Ocean,” released on Caribou Records, can sell for $300.00 today.

The Andantes was among the least known girl-groups from Motown. They sang back-up for Motown stars, the Temptations, the Four Tops, and Marvin Gaye. Andantes member, Marlen Barrow, even filled in for Florence Ballard in many Supremes concerts. The Andantes single, “(Like a) Nightmare,” released on Motown’s V.I.P record label in 1964 is a huge collectible. And it was Ann Bogan of the Marvelettes singing lead. An original copy of the 45 on V.I.P. Records is worth up to $4,000.00 today.

David Clayton-Thomas is best known as the lead singer for the Rock band, Blood, Sweat & Tears, with hits like “You’ve Made Me So Very Happy,” “And When I Die,” and “Spinning Wheel.” Their 1969 “Blood, Sweat & Tears” album, released on Columbia Records, is worth up to $25.00. However, before his long run with Blood, Sweat & Tears, David Clayton-Thomas fronted a band called the Shays. Their album, “David Clayton-Thomas & the Shays a Go-Go,” released on Roman Records in 1967, can get you $300.00 today.

Albums featuring various songs by various recording artists can be quite valuable. In 1956, Aladdin Records released “Party After Hours,” a 10-inch album featuring Wynonie Harris, Amos Milburn, Velma Nelson, and Crown Prince Waterford. A black vinyl copy is worth up to $1,000. Find one on red vinyl and the value jumps up to $3,000.00. Find the value for all albums with songs by various recording artists on the Mighty John Compilation Album Price Guide on a flash drive, available in the left hand column on this page.

On July 14, 1989, Judge Judy, then on the New York Family Court, orders Tom Jones to pay child support to Katherine Berkerly. His 1965 album, “It’s Not Unusual,” on Parrot Records could help him recoup some payments. Copies showing Tom outdoors can sell for $25.00 but covers of the same album showing Tom with his band can go for $100.00 today.

Without a doubt, Northern Soul is among the most collectible genres of vinyl records. Those obscure Soul records from the 1960’s and 1970’s continue to fetch big bucks. In 1976, Look-Out Records released the 45, “She’s Gone,” by the Hamilton Movement. An original copy can get you $4,000.00 today. Margaret Little’s “Love Will Find a Way,” released on Genebro Records in 1960, is now worth up to $8,000.00.

Rolling Stone lists “My Generation” by the Who at #11 on their list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. The song is an anthem for the break from Peter Townsend’s stodgier elders and a claim on his own time and the “me” generation. The most famous line from the song is “I Hope I Die Before I get Too Old.” The single, released on Decca Records in 1965, is worth up to $30.00 but the “My Generation” album can get you $100.00 today.

Everybody’s favorite talking-horse is Mr. Ed. The TV show ran for 5 years from 1961-1966. Mr. Ed was played by a horse whose real name was Bamboo Harvester. In 1962, Golden Records released, “Straight From the Horse’s Mouth.” It’s worth no more than $25.00, but that same year Colpix Records issued the “Mr. Ed” soundtrack featuring skits and dialogue from the show. A copy can get you $250.00 today. “Mister Ed” is just one of the 10,000 soundtracks listed on our Soundtracks Guide in Microsoft Word, covering movies, TV shows, and Broadway shows. It’s available on a flash drive in the left hand column.