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Topps is best known for its chewing gum that came with baseball cards, football cards, and various other sports trading-cards. Their most popular gum is Bazooka. Lesser known products issued by Topps with chewing gum are records, which were 6 inch picture discs like “I Can’t Help Myself” by the Four Tops and “My World is Empty Without You” by the Supremes. Released by Topps in 1967, each is worth up to $150.00 today.

One of the classic Pop songs of the early Rock N Roll era was “Lollipop.” Reportedly, songwriter Julius Dixon was late for a recording session as a result of his daughter getting a lollipop stuck in her hair. Thus, an inspiration for a song was born. First recorded by Ronald and Ruby, the song hit the charts in 1957. However, it’s the version by the Chordettes that most remember. Their single hit #2 in 1958. Released on Cadence Records, the 45 is worth up to $50.00 while the 78 rpm version can sell for $100.00 today.

Many say George Jones was the greatest Country music singer of all time. Waylon Jennings was quoted as saying, “If we could all sound like we wanted to, we’d all sound like George Jones.” With more than 150 hits, Jones is best known for the Country classic “He Stopped Loving Her Today.” Known for his alcohol and drug abuse, and being a no-show at many of his concerts, George Jones is still held in high regard for all those who knew and worked with him. In 1966, Starday Records released the 2-record set “The George Jones Story.” A copy is worth up to $400.00 today.

On October 6, 2011, “We Built This City on Rock and Roll” by Starship, is voted worst song of the 1980’s in a poll in Rolling Stone magazine. Its $5.00 value may attest to that. Before the band was Starship, it was known as Jefferson Starship. Before that it was Jefferson Airplane and that’s where the money is. The album, “Jefferson Airplane Takes Off,” released in 1966 on RCA, can sell for $75.00 if there are 11 tracks on the album. However, if a copy has 12 tracks, the value can jump to $500.00 in mono and $700.00 in stereo.

“Layla” is one of the great classics in Rock history. it was written by Eric Clapton and Jim Gordon. Released by Derek and the Dominos on ATCO Records in 1971, it featured both Clapton and Duane Allman on guitar. The 45 is worth no more than $10.00 but the “Layla” album, released on Polydor Records in 1974, can sell for $125.00 today.

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.