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Patsy Cline was as important to Country music as any female star in history. Her career all began with a song she didn’t want to record, “Walkin’ After Midnight.” The tune was originally offered to Kay Starr, who was one of the hottest girl singers of the day, but she turned it down. After Patsy Cline sang the song on “Arthur Godfrey’s Talent Scouts” TV show the record took off like a rocket and a legendary Country star was born. The original 45, released on Decca Records in 1957, is now worth up to $150.00 with its picture sleeve.

“Surfin’ Bird” by the Trashmen, despite the refusal of many radio stations to play it, climbed all the way to #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1963. It’s one of those songs you either love or hate. Released on Garrett Records, the single is worth up to $25.00. The Trashmen never found big success again but their 45 of “Whoa Dad,” with picture sleeve, released in 1964, is worth up to $250.00 today.

Of all the actresses of her generation, many guys would have picked Tina Louise to be stranded with on a deserted island. Of course Bob Denver turned out to be one of the lucky ones on “Gilligan’s Island”. But before “Ginger” was stranded along with the skipper and the professor, she was a songstress. Her 1957 album “Her Portrait in Music,” released on Concert Hall Records, can get you $700.00 today. Her 1958 album “It’s Time for Tina” is now worth up to $850.00.

B.J. Thomas was a hit-making machine in the 60’s and 70’s. In 1968 he had two massive hits with “Eyes of a New York Woman” and “Hooked on a Feeling.” The next year the movie, “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid” was released, featuring B.J.Thomas singing “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ On My Head,” which was not only a #1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 but also won an academy award for best original song. But B.J.’s first million-seller came in 1966 with a cover version of Hank Williams’ “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry.” The 45 is worth no more than $10.00 but the album, released on Pacemaker Records, is worth up to $125.00 today.

One of the most successful trios in the early Rock N Roll era was the Fleetwoods. Their mellow sound stood out from the heavy guitars, driving drums, and wailing sax sounds of their contemporaries. Their first single, “Come Softly To Me,” hit # 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1959. They hit # 1 again that same year with “Mr. Blue,” making them the first group to have two #1 hits on Billboard in the same year. The “Mr. Blue” 45 can fetch $40.00.The “Mr. Blue” album, released on Dolton Records in 1959, is worth up to $150.00 today.

From Austin, Texas came the band that many say was responsible for what came to be known as Psychedelic Rock. The members of the Thirteenth Floor Elevators were said to be under the influence of LSD while recording and during live concerts. They walked the walk and talked the talk of the lifestyle for which they were known. Their first album, “Psychedelic Sounds of the 13^TH Floor Elevators,” released on Int’l Artists Records in 1967, can sell for $1,000.00 today.  An original copy of their second album, “Easter Everywhere,” can also get you $1,000.00.

On June 9, 2009 the Library of Congress preserves 25 culturally significant recordings in a special sound archive.  Among the recordings are “Rumble” by Linc Wray, and “My Generation” by the Who. The “My Generation” album on Decca Records is worth up to $100.00. Linc Wray’s first album on Epic Records can now sell for $300.00.

Breaking out of San Jose in the mid-1960’s was the Syndicate of Sound. They were one-hit wonders in 1966 with their top-10 hit, “Little Girl.” The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame features “Little Girl” in their one-hit wonder section. The value for the single depends on the label. On Bell Records it’s not worth more than $20.00. An original copy on Hush records can sell for $300.00 today.

Sissy Houston, mother of Whitney, was the lady who founded the girl-group, the Sweet Inspirations. During the 60’s they were in tremendous demand as back-up singers on several records by Wilson Pickett, Dionne Warwick, and Aretha Franklin. They even did backing vocals on “Brown Eyed Girl” by Van Morrison. However, they are best known as Elvis Presley’s background singers in the 1970’s on his records and at his concerts. Sissy’s first single, “Bring Him Back,” on Congress Records is now worth up to $125.00. A copy of the album, “Sweet Inspirations,” from 1979 on Koala Records can get you $750.00 today.

There was no better loved Country superstar than Johnny Cash and there were few who had as many iconic hits like “I Walk the Line,” “A Boy Name Sue,” and “Ring of Fire.” But the endless string of hits all began in 1955 with “Cry, Cry, Cry.” Released by the legendary Sun Records, both the 78 rpm version as well as the 45 can sell for $150.00 today.