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On May 26 in 1973, Deep Purple’s “Smoke on the Water” is released. The song is based on the true story of how someone had fired a gun into the ceiling of the casino at Montreux, Switzerland during a concert by Frank Zappa & the Mothers of Invention. However, record collectors prize “Hush” by Deep Purple more than their other hits. “Hush,” released in 1968 on Tetragrammaton Records is worth up to $400.00 with its picture sleeve.

Linda Scott from Queens, NY hit the charts twelve times in the 1960’s. Her first hit was her biggest. “I’ve Told Every Little Star” was written by Oscar Hammerstein and Jerome Kern way back in 1932.  Her big hit is found on both of her albums for Canadian American Records. “Starlight Starbright” from 1960 and “Great Scott” from 1961 can each get you $150.00 today.

“Introducing the Beatles” was released on Vee Jay records in 1963. It is one of the most difficult albums to appraise as there are 15 variations of the originals, ranging in value from up to $350 to $18,000.00, and there are more counterfeits on the market than originals. There are several ways to spot an original from a fake. Perhaps the best way is by the label on the record. If both “The Beatles” and “Introducing the Beatles” are printed above the hole in the middle of the label, then chances are its real. If “Introducing the Beatles” is printed above the hole and “The Beatles” below the hole, then it’s a counterfeit. All known counterfeit records are listed and described on the “Mighty John’s Record Appraisal Guide” in the left hand column of this page.

One of the best known and popular Doo Wop songs is “Get a Job” by the Silhouettes. The group made several appearances on American Bandstand as their smash hit reached #1 on Billboard. The original 78 rpm version on Junior Records from 1957 is worth up to $350.00. An original maroon label 45 on Junior Records can sell for $400.00. “Get a Job” was the Silhouettes’ biggest claim to fame. However, a copy of their 1968 single, “Not Me Baby,” released on Goodway Records, can get you a whopping $2,000.00 today.

The B-52’s took their name from the bouffant hairdos worn by female members, Cindy Wilson and Kate Pierson. In 1977, they did their first public appearance at a Valentine’s Day party. They were an instant hit. In 1978, they released their first giant contribution to Rock N Roll with “Rock Lobster.” An original copy on their B-52’s record label is worth up to $100.00 today with its picture sleeve.

“Bookends” was the fourth studio album from Simon and Garfunkel. Released in 1968 on Columbia Records, “Bookends” quickly reach #1 on the Billboard album chart. The biggest hit single from the album is “Mrs. Robinson,” which reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. The album featured other hit singles like “A  Hazy Shade of Winter” and “Fakin’ It.” A stereo copy is worth no more than $15.00 unless there are 3 instead of 2 white logos on the label. Then the value jumps up to $300.00, A mono copy of “Bookends,” as seen here, can also get you $300.00 today.

Jimmy Jones wrote his first hit, “Handy Man,” in 1955. In 1960, with a little help from songwriter Otis Blackwell who wrote hits for Elvis Presley, the song hit # 2 on the Billboard Hot 100. But Jimmy Jones would not be a one-hit wonder. He quickly followed up “Handy Man” with “Good Timin.’” Both singles sold over a million copies each. The “Good Timin’” single can now fetch $40.00 but the album, released on M-G-M records in 1960, can get you $100.00 today.

On May 19, 1960 a true classic is recorded. The song writer, Doc Pomus, wrote this hit at his wedding reception. Confined to a wheelchair and crutches, due to polio, he can’t dance with his bride but he urges her to have fun dancing with the guests but reminds her as written in the song he wrote that day, “don’t forget who’s taking you home and in whose arms your gonna be” The man who couldn’t dance reminds his new bride to “save the last dance for me.”  The 45 on Atlantic Records can get you $20.00 but the “Save the Last Dance for Me” album is worth up to $150.00 today.

Scatman Crothers was a multi-talented performer as an actor and musician. He also did voice-overs for cartoon characters in “Hong Kong Phooey” and “The Aristocats.” Scatman appeared in classic films like “One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest” and “The Shining.” As a drummer and piano player, he put out dozens of records including the 1956 album, “Rock N Roll with Scatman Crothers.” Released on Tops Records, a copy is worth up to $100.00 today. His 1951 single of “Papa” can now sell for $200.00.

“Guys and Dolls” is one of the most popular Broadway musicals of all time. With its theme of gamblers and gangsters, it features favorites like “A Bushel and a Peck” and “Luck Be a Lady.” In 1962, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Bing Crosby recorded the “Guys and Dolls” song, “The Oldest Established (Permanent Floating Crap Game in New York).” Released on Reprise Records, a copy with picture sleeve can sell for $150.00 today.