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The “Two Virgins” album was the first John Lennon recorded void of any influence from any of the other Beatles. But it is best known for the cover, featuring a completely naked John and Yoko. Like a dirty magazine, it was distributed in a brown paper wrapper. The album with wrapper, as seen here, was released by Apple records in 1968 and can get you $150.00 today.

The title of “Godfather of Rhythm and Blues” goes to Johnny Otis. Born Greek, he said, “I prefer to be black.” He not only discovered Jackie Wilson, Big Mama Thornton, and Hank Ballard; he also recorded one of the biggest hits of 1958 with “Willie and the Hand Jive,” which can now sell for $25.00. In 1957, Dig Records issued the Johnny Otis album, “Rock and Roll Hit Parade.” An original copy can get you $500.00 today. Beware: counterfeits exist. The discs on original copies are rigid and noticeably thicker than the more flexible ones found on fakes. All known counterfeit records are listed and described on the Mighty John Record Appraisal Guide on a flash drive, available in the left hand column on this page.

“Greetings from Asbury Park, NJ” was the debut album for Bruce Springsteen. The album, released on Columbia Records in 1973, is not a big collectible; no more than $20.00. However, the single from the album, “Spirit in the Night,” is another story. A copy can get you $4,000.00 today.

These are records you should know about. The big money in Rockabilly records has been that way for years and there is no reason to believe the values won’t continue to climb. In 1958 Bobby Lollar recorded, “Bad Bad Boy,” for Benton records. A copy is now worth up to $2,500.00. In 1957 Chess Records released the 45, “Cool Off Baby,” by Billy Barrix. That can get you $10,000.00 today.

In 1954, Elvis Presley recorded “Baby Let’s Play House” on Sun Records in Memphis. It was his first single to make it on the national charts, reaching # 5 on the Country charts. An original copy, whether on a 45 or 78, can get you $1,200.00 today.

Art Pepper was a saxophonist who began his career in the late 1940’s with Stan Kenton. Like many other Jazz greats he found himself addicted to heroin and was locked up several times in prison. Nonetheless, his music lived at a high level until his death in 1982, the result of a brain hemorrhage. In 1956, Intro Records released the Art Pepper album, “Modern Art.” An original copy can get you $2,000.00 today.

On March 10, 1962 Bruce Channel is # 1 with “Hey Baby!” The harmonica riff at the beginning of the song is provided by Delbert McClinton. When John Lennon heard it, he was inspired to write what would become the Beatles’ first single, “Love Me Do.” The “Hey Baby” album can now sell for $50.00 but the song it inspired by the Beatles is worth up to $450.00 with its picture sleeve.

Originally billed as “Little Miss Sharecropper” in the 40’s, it was Lavern Baker’s smash hits such as ”Jim Dandy” and “I Cried a Tear” that made her a major rhythm and blues star in the 50’s. Her first 45, “Soul on Fire,” can now sell for $200.00. In 1990 she was inducted into the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame. Her debut album, “Lavern Baker,” released by Atlantic Records in 1957, is worth up to $600 today.

The Monkees might have had quite a different sound if two who tried out to be in the group and part of their very successful TV show had actually been chosen. Instead of Davy Jones and the others selected, the band could have included Danny Hutton who went on to have a stellar career with 3 Dog Night and Stephen Stills who became legendary with Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. The Monkees’ first album, released on Colgems Records in 1966, is worth up to $125.00 today. Their second album “More of the Monkees” can sell for $75.00.

Janis Martin was billed as the “Female Elvis Presley.” Along with Wanda Jackson, she stood out in the male-dominated Rock N Roll world of the 1950’s. Her early releases such as “Drugstore Rock N Roll” and “My Boy Elvis” (now worth up to $75.00 each) are great examples of her exciting style. Her EP, “Just Squeeze Me,” released by RCA in 1958, is worth up to $350.00 today.