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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.

The Doors 45 that started it all is “Light My Fire.” It would ignite a remarkable career for the group and its infamous lead singer, Jim Morrison. An original copy on a standard Elektra label is worth up to $25.00 but on a yellow Elektra label with the Elektra girl logo it can now sell for $150.00.

Philles Records issues their first single in1961,“There’s No Other Love Like My Baby” by The Crystals. Philles is a combination of the first names of owners Phil Spector and Les Sill. The Crystals’ 45 is valued up to $40.00 but their first album from 1963, containing the hit, can now sell for $350.00.

In 1955, Sun Records founder Sam Phillips launched America’s first all-female radio station, WHER, in Memphis. The slogan used then could not be used today. Being the news department was all female, the quip was “and now the news from a broad.” Among the most collectible records on Sam’s Sun label is “Lonesome Old Jail.” An original copy on 78 rpm can sell for $5,000.00 but the 45 rpm single with “Greyhound Blues” on the flip side is now worth up to $20,000.00.

The story goes that a young British boy, Raymond Jones, walked into Brian Epstein’s Liverpool record shop in 1961 and asked for a single called “My Bonnie” by Tony Sheridan  and The Beat Brothers. Epstein went to see the band live and was so impressed with the backing group, the Beat Brothers, that he signed on as their manager and they became the Beatles. An original copy of “My Bonnie” by Tony Sheridan and the Beat Brothers on Decca Records is now worth up to $12,000.00. Originals have a multi-color stripe across the center. Bootlegs are black and silver without the color stripe.

Lou Reed, songwriter and guitarist died of liver disease at the age of 71 in 2013. Reed was the leader of the Velvet Underground in the 60’s. The band has many collectible records like the single, “Sunday Morning,” from 1966. Release on Verve Records, a copy can sell for $1,500.00 today.

In 1958, 7000 screaming teenagers rioted at the first rock and roll concert held in West Berlin. It featured Bill Haley & His Comets. Best known for “Rock Around the Clock” and “Shake, Rattle and Roll, it was Haley’s earlier hit with the Saddlemen, “Rock the Joint,” that lit the fuse. A copy of the single on Essex Records from 1952 can now sell for $250.00. Make it $800.00 for a red vinyl copy.

Ed Sullivan had to tell the audience to be “Quiet!” during the appearance of the Rolling Stones. But the screams never ceased. The band closed out the show with “Time is On My Side.” Sullivan vowed that the Stones would never appear on his show again, but later relented. A copy of “Time is on My Side,” released on London Records, can now sell for $100.00 with its picture sleeve. 

On October 24,1962, James Brown’s appearance at the Apollo Theater in New York was recorded for an album called “Live at the Apollo.” The self-financed LP cost Brown $5,700.00, and would sell over a million copies.  “Live at the Apollo” was the first album recorded just the way it was performed. There was no separation in the tracks, making it impossible for King Records to issue singles. An original copy can get you $200.00 today.