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Other than Chubby Checker, no one had more success with the Twist than Joey Dee and the Starliters. When they became the house band at New York’s Peppermint Lounge it was pure pandemonium, attracting celebrities from John Wayne to Jackie Kennedy. In 1962, the “Peppermint Twist” quickly hit #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. It was the band’s biggest hit but worth no more than $20.00. However, in 1958, Joey Dee and the Starliters recorded, “Lorraine” for Little Records. An original copy can sell for $1,000.00 today

As a boy, Johnny Guitar Watson promised his grandfather he wouldn’t play “the devil’s music.” Oops! He began touring with Larry Williams of “Boney Maronie” fame. He also played with Little Richard and Frank Zappa. With his Fender Stratocaster, he brought Funk to a new level in the 1970’s. The “Johnny Guitar Watson album,” released on King Records in 1963, can get you $800.00 today.

It all started for Bobby Darin in 1958 with the million-seller, “Splish Splash,” a song Darin said he wrote in less than 15 minutes. The list of hits that followed seems endless with such classics as “Dream Lover,” “Beyond the Sea” and the Grammy Award winner, “Mack the Knife.” His follow up to “Splish Splash” was the 1959 top-10 hit, “Queen of the Hop.” The single, released on ATCO Records can sell for $25.00 but the “Queen of the Hop” EP is worth up to $175.00 today.

On July 21, 1968 on a live national British TV show called “Dee Time,” Jane Asher dumped boyfriend Paul McCartney by saying, “It’s finished.” McCartney is watching the show at a friend’s house. He is shocked. Among the hits he wrote for the Beatles about his relationship with Jane Asher is “We Can Work it Out.” A 1966 copy on an orange and yellow Capitol Records label can now fetch $40.00 but on Capitol’s Starline Series from 1969 on a red and white label the value jumps up to $3,000.00.

Carole King and husband Gerry Goffin wrote a song that she later regretted, saying she was sorry she ever had anything to do with it. That song was “He Hit Me (And It Felt Like a Kiss).” It was recorded by the Crystals in 1962. Having to do with spousal abuse, the record received little airplay. Released on Phil Spector’s Philles record label, a copy with a light blue label is worth up to $75.00 but a copy with an orange label can sell for $500.00 today.

“Good Morning, School Girl” was a blues single by Sonny Boy Williamson in 1939 and since then has been covered numerous times as “Good Morning, Little School Girl.” Those giving it their own special treatment include Muddy Waters, the Yardbirds, and Huey Lewis & the News. It was also the first single in the U.S. for Rod Stewart. Like Sonny Boy Williamson’s 1939 release on Bluebird, Rod Stewart’s 1965 version on Press Records can get you $200.00 today.

Sarah Vaughan’s career took off in 1943 when the Apollo Theater asked her to be the opening act for the legendary Ella Fitzgerald. It was Dave Garroway, one of the early hosts of the “Today” show that gave her the nickname, “The Divine One.” Other nicknames were “Sassy” and “Sailor” because she could embarrass a longshoreman with her salty language. One of her biggest hits came in 1959 with “Broken Hearted Melody,” now worth up to $20.00. Her 1954 10-inch album, “Images,” can get you $400.00 today.

The most successful album for Van Halen is “1984.” The single, “Jump,” from the album is Van Halen’s only # 1 hit. With over 12 million copies sold, the value for “1984” is no more than $10.00. However, “Jump” was also included on a lesser-known Van Halen album called “Summer Time.” Released on Vampire Records out of Canada in 1984, it also contains “Hot for Teacher.” The “Summer Time” album can get you $300.00 today.

Rolling Stone magazine includes “For Your Precious Love” by Jerry Butler and the Impressions on its list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. The value all depends on the record label. On Abner or Falcon records the single can get you $50.00, but an original 1958 copy of “For Your Precious Love” on Vee Jay Records is really precious at up to $2,500.00 today. A 1965 re issue is no more than $10.00.

The Mamas and Papas had a colorful and legendary career. In 1970, Michelle Phillips, formerly with the Mamas and Papas, married actor Dennis Hopper of “Easy Rider” fame. They divorced 8 days later. Thankfully, their list of hits lasted much longer. Their first big smash, “California Dreamin,” was released in 1965. A copy on Dunhill Records with picture sleeve can sell for $400.00 today.