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Three years prior to her death, Jazz great Billie Holiday, also known as Lady Day, released her 10^th and final album for Clef Records. The title song, “Lady Sings the Blues,” has become an American standard. And if there was any lady who really knew, lived, and sang the Blues it was Billie Holiday. “Lady Sings the Blues” is also the title of her autobiography. The album, released on Verve Records in 1956, can get you $300.00 today. Her 1954 album, “An Evening with Billie Holiday,” on Clef Records is now worth up to $750.00

“Are You Experienced” was the debut album for Jimi Hendrix and featured the Rock classic, “Purple Haze.” Rolling Stone magazine lists “Are You Experienced” at #15 on its list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. Released on Reprise Records, a stereo copy with a label that’s green, pink, and brown as seen here, is worth up to $150.00. A copy in mono with a green,pink and brown label can sell for up to $1,000.00 today.

Following the breakup of the Beatles, George Harrison released his first solo album, “All Things Must Pass.” Produced by the legendary Phil Spector, the album contains two of Harrison’s biggest hits, “What is Life” and “My Sweet Lord.”  The “My Sweet Lord” 45 with picture sleeve can now sell for $50.00. The “All Things Must Pass” album cover, showing Harrison sitting among scattered garden gnomes, is a reflection of his break from the Beatles. Issued by Apple Records, the 3-record set is worth up to $100.00 today.

On March 24,1966, the Beatles pose for the cover of their next album. The picture shows the Beatles dressed at butchers holding chopped up dolls and raw meat. After much objection, the album is re called and re issued with a non-controversial cover. The album is called “Yesterday and Today.” 1966 stereo copies with the cover showing the Beatles gathered around a trunk are worth up to $150.00, mono copies up to $300.00. Original 1966 mono copies with the “butcher” cover currently hold a value up to $5,000.00 while stereo versions are worth up to $15,000.00, although 3 have sold for $25,000.00 each.

The EP, extended play album, is the size of a 45, usually with 2 or 3 songs on each side. Many can be quite valuable, especially by the Doo Wop groups of the 50’s. The Platters’ EP, “The Platters Sing for Only You,” released by Federal Records in 1956, and the Flamingos’ EP, “Goodnight Sweetheart,” released by End Records in 1959, can each get you $600.00 today.

The second album for England’s Pink Floyd, “A Saucerful of Secrets,” came in the summer of ’68. It was the last album for Sid Barrett and the first for David Gilmour. Released by Tower Records, the value depends on the color of the record label. A striped label makes the album worth up to $100.00, but a copy with an orange label, as seen here, can sell for $300.00 today.

One-hit-wonders have been a major part of the biggest chart-busters in the history of Rock N Roll. In 1960, Billy Bland had his 15 minutes of fame with the Billboard top-10 hit, “Let the Little Girl Dance.” Released on Old Town Records, the black vinyl 45 is worth no more than $25.00. However, a gold vinyl copy can get you $1,000.00 today.

Not all record collectibles are all that old. In 2006, Classic Records released a Led Zeppelin set called “Classic Records”-the Road Case Edition.” The set consists of 48 single-sided 12-inch 45’s, all taken from Led Zeppelin’s first 9 studio LP’s. Released in a custom suitcase carrier, it is worth up to $3,000.00.
Email mightyjohn1971@gmail.com to receive October’s free list of “10 Rolling Stones records totaling over $50,000.00!”

Rolling Stone magazine ranks “We Will Rock You” by Queen at #330 on its list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. In 2009, the song was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. Released on Elektra Records in 1977, with “We Are the Champions” on the flip side, the 45 is worth no more than $20.00 with its picture sleeve. However, the 12-inch single, as seen here on the right, can get you $400.00 today.

On March 17, 1957, Elvis Presley outbids the YMCA’s offer of $35,000 and buys the Graceland mansion from Mrs. Ruth Brown-Moore for $102,500. The 23 room,10,000 square foot home, comes with 13.8 acres of land. The king makes some upgrades expanding the living space to 17,552 square feet before moving in. At one time Graceland had been a place of worship used by the Graceland Christian Church named after the builder’s daughter, Grace Toof. Sales from Elvis’ first album help make the purchase possible. Copies of the album, as seen here with front and back cover, can sell for over $500.00 today.