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In 1978, Jet Records released the single, “Sweet Talkin’ Woman” by Electric Light Orchestra (ELO). The original title was “Dead End Street.” Some words regarding that title can be heard on the record. “I’ve been livin’ on a dead end street.” A store-bought copy of “Sweet Talkin’ Woman” is worth not much more than $5.00 on black vinyl or $15.00 on purple vinyl. However, a red vinyl version can now sell for $350.00.

Due to riots and fights at their European concerts, the Kinks were not at first welcomed in the U.S. The title of their 1966 album, “The Kink Kontroversy,” refers to the problems they were experiencing. Fronted by brothers Dave and Ray Davies, the Kinks went on to become one of the most prolific hit-makers of the British Invasion. Released on Reprise Records, a stereo copy of “The Kink Kontroversy” is worth up to $25.00 but a mono copy can sell for $125.00 today.

Danny and the Juniors topped the charts in 1957 with “At The Hop,” one of the best known hits of the early Rock N Roll era. They followed up in 1958 with another Rock N Roll anthem, “Rock and Roll is Here to Stay.” Most say the kind of Rock N Roll they sang about ended somewhere in the mid-1960’s when “Rock” by itself described the music of the day. The 45, released on ABC-Paramount, is worth up to $25.00 but the 78 rpm version of “Rock and Roll is Here to Stay” can sell for $150.00 today. Both versions are shown here.

Mariah Carey first hit gold in 1990 with 4 consecutive #1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100. With a five octave vocal range, she has sold over 65 million records. With five Grammies, she was the best-selling recording artist of the 1990’s. Her single, “We Belong Together,” was named song-of-the decade for 2000-2009.” In 2008, Sky Forward Records released her album, “The Acapella Album.” A vinyl copy is now worth up to $200.00.

Bill Anderson is one of the most successful and prolific songwriters in the history of Country music. Known as Whisperin’ Bill because of his singing style, he had seven # 1 hits on the Country charts and in 1963 went top-10 on the Billboard Hot 100 with his best known single, “Still.” The 45 on Decca Records is worth no more than $10.00 but his first single, “City Lights,” released on TNT Records in 1958, can sell for $150.00 today.

Otis Williams and the Charms was one of the most popular Doo Wops groups of the 1950’s. They scored their biggest hit in 1954 with the million-seller, “Hearts of Stone,” which is now worth up to $100. More hits followed like “Ling Ting tong” and “Ivory Tower.” Otis Williams also sang Soul music in the 60’s and even Country music in the 70’s. The EP, “Hits By The Charms,” released on Deluxe Records in 1955, is worth up to $600.00 today.

Long after the glory days of the Doo Wop era and well into the British Invasion, a Doo Wop group from Cincinnati, the Casinos, charted at #6 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1967 with “Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye.” The 45, released on Fraternity Records, is worth up to $10.00 while the album can get you $50.00. But the Casinos’ first single, “Do You Recall,” released on Name Records in 1962, is now worth up to $300.00.

Roger Moore first caught the attention of the public on the TV series, “Ivanhoe” and “Maverick,” where he starred as Cousin Beau alongside James Garner as Bret and Jack Kelly as Bart Maverick. And before becoming one of the favorite actors to play James Bond, Roger Moore gained more fame on TV from 1962-1969 as Simon Templar in “The Saint.” “The Saint” soundtrack album, released on RCA in 1966, is worth up to $350.00 today. “The Saint” 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.

One of the lead singers for the Drifters was Ben E. King whose solo career is just as noteworthy. His top-10 hit, “Stand By Me,” in 1961 became a hit again in 1986 when it was used in the Stephen King movie, “Stand by Me.” In 1962, with a similar sounding melody, Ben E. King struck gold again with “Don’t Play That Song.” The 45, released on ATCO Records is worth up to $20.00 while his album of the same name can get you $100.00 today.

“See You Later, Alligator” is a song and saying made most famous by Bill Haley & His Comets. Released on Decca Records in 1955, it would be Haley’s last million-seller and is worth up to $50.00 today. In 1959, the alligator was featured again in song with “Crazy Alligator” by Irvin Russ. The single is barely known compared to “See You Later, Alligator.” However, “Crazy Alligator,” released on Felco Fecords, can sell for $750.00 today with its picture sleeve.