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The Cyrkle was a popular 60’s band who often appeared with the Beatles on their U.S. tours. But it was Paul Simon who gave them their biggest break when the Cyrkle was on tour with Simon and Garfunkel. The song Simon co-wrote was “Red Rubber Ball,” which the Cyrkle brought all the way to #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1966. Released on Columbia Records, a commercial copy of the 45 is worth no more than $10.00, but a red vinyl promo copy can sell for $100.00 today. Mighty John’s Promo Guide lists all promos that are worth more than a commercial copy. For more free examples, click on “Mighty John’s Promo Guide” in the yellow strip above.

The Crests, led by Johnny Mastro, were consistent hit-makers in the late 1950s and early 60s with hits like “16 Candles,” “Six Nights a Week,” “The Angels Listened In,” “Step By Step,” “Trouble in Paradise,” and “ Isn’t it Amazing.” All these hits can be found on their album “Best of the Crests featuring Johnny Mastro/16 Fabulous Hits.” Released on Coed Records in 1960, an original copy is worth up to $400.00 today.

Drummer Dave Bailey provided the beat behind some of the great Jazz artists of the day including Johnny Hodges, Kenny Dorham, Gerry Mulligan, Cal Tjader, and Horace Silver. Many credit Bailey with the popularity of Bossa Nova. He later became involved in music education in New York City and the executive director of the Jazzmobile. His 1961 album, “Bash,” released on Jazz Line Records, is worth up to $1,500.00 today.

After the death of Buddy Holly, the Crickets continued to tour and record. The Crickets, including Jerry Allison, Sonny Curtis, Joe B. Maudlin and Niki Sullivan were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986. Ironically, in 1964, one-time member David Box would also die in a plane crash. The Crickets album ,“In Style,” released on Coral Records in 1960, is now worth up to $300.00. Blue label promo copies as seen here can sell for $550.00 today.

It seems that every hit series of the 1950’s and 60’s produced records for its stars. Shelly Fabares from “The Donna Reed Show” was probably the most successful with her #1 hit, “Johnny Angel.” And then there’s the “Beave,” Jerry Mathers, from “Leave it to Beaver.” In 1962, Atlantic Records released the single, “Wind-up Toy,” by Jerry Mathers. It wasn’t a hit but it’s now worth up to $50.00. In 1966 with his band, Beaver and the Trappers, he tried again but to no success again. However, that single called “In Misery,” released on White Cliffs Records, can get you $750.00 today.

In 1959, Keen Records released “Hit Kit,” the 4^th album by Sam Cooke. It contained many of Cooke’s early hits including “Only Sixteen,” “You Send Me,” and “Everybody Loves to Cha Cha Cha.” That 78 rpm single is worth up to $150.00 and the “Hit Kit” album up to $350.00 today.

Following the success of “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” in 1937, Walt Disney followed up in 1940 with “Pinocchio,” the puppet who wanted to become a real boy. Twelve-year old actor Dickie Jones, who had success in “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington,” was the voice of Pinocchio. The film won two Academy Awards, one of which was for best song, “When You Wish upon a Star.” The original soundtrack album, released by Disneyland Records, can sell for $250.00 today. “Pinocchio” 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.

“Stand by Me” is a song recorded by over 400 recording artists. The biggest hit was by Ben E. King, reaching #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1961. John Lennon brought it to the top-20 in 1975. But who has the most valuable version? That would be Muhammad Ali. Recording as Cassius Clay, his single was released in 1964. The 45 by John Lennon on Apple records is worth no more than $10.00. The one by Ben E. King on ATCO records can sell for $20.00 today, but the Cassius Clay rendition, released on Columbia Records, is worth up to $100.00 with its picture sleeve. Guess he is the greatest!

Tony Basil, one time cheerleader for the Las Vegas High School Wildcats, had a multi-million seller in 1981 with “Mickey.” Dressed as a cheerleader on the picture sleeve, she was almost 40-years old but the teen market couldn’t get enough of her big hit. The single with picture sleeve, released on Chrysalis Records, is worth no more than $10.00, but in 1966 A&M Records released the Toni Basil single, “Breakaway.” An original copy is worth up to $400.00 today.

One of the all-time Rock N Roll classics is “Money” (That’s What I Want) by Barrett Strong. Many others have covered the original including the Beatles, the Kingsmen, and the Flying Lizards. “Money” by Barrett Strong holds the distinction of being the first Motown hit for Barry Gordy and distributed on the company’s Anna Record label. Released in 1960, a gold label copy is worth up to $40.00 while a black label copy can get you $350.00 today.