moneymusic.com

Country superstar Eddie Arnold created what became known as the “Nashville Sound,” a mix of Country and Pop. Even though his manager, Col. Tom Parker, left him for a new kid by the name of Elvis Presley, Eddie went on to sell 85 million records. His first album, “All-Time Hits from the Hills” from 1954 on RCA can now sell for $75.00. His 1968 RCA album, “The Romantic World of Eddie Arnold,” released in mono,” is worth up to $150.00 today

Chicago’s debut album was “The Chicago Transit Authority” when they were known by that name. Prior to that, they called themselves the Missing Links and before that, the Big Thing. Blending Jazz and Soul with a brass section, they signed with Columbia records in 1969. “The Chicago Transit Authority album,” released by Columbia Records, was a 2-album set and worth up to $200.00 today.

Hank Ballard & the Midnighters had some of Rock N Roll’s earliest records to be banned on radio, such as “Work With Me Annie” and “Annie Had a Baby (Can’t Work No More).” Each can now sell for $75.00. Hank Ballard wrote “The Twist” but his version was too suggestive, so the slicker version by Chubby Checker became the version most people know. Their album, “Their Greatest Jukebox Hits,” released on King Records in 1958, is worth up to $700.00 today.

On March 3,1956 Elvis makes his first appearance on the Billboard chart with a song that many at RCA lament will “bomb.” But the song goes on to hold the #1 spot on the Pop chart for 8 weeks and #1 on Billboard’s Country chart for 17 weeks. Those doubters at RCA should have been sent to “Heartbreak Hotel.” A copy of an original 45 can now fetch $50.00. Make it over $75.00 for a 78rpm version.

Wanda Jackson is the Queen of Rockabilly who’s 1960 classic, “Let’s Have a Party,” is a perfect example of her unique, raspy voice. Her debut album, “Wanda Jackson,” released on Capitol Records from 1958, is worth up to $450.00 today. Her 1961 album, “There’s a Party Goin’ On,” can now sell for $500.00.

Best known as a song writer with wife Cynthia Weil, Barry Mann’s novelty hit, “Who Put the Bomp (in the bomp de bomp de bomp),” could be about himself or any of the other tune-smiths at the famous Brill Building in New York City who churned out hit after hit in the 60’s. Released on ABC-Paramount in 1962, the 45 can fetch $25.00 today. A 1962 mono copy of the album is worth up to $150.00, a stereo copy up to $600.00.

Waylon Jennings was part of Buddy Holly’s band during the tour when Holly lost his life in that legendary plane crash on February 3, 1959, which also took the lives of Ritchie Valens and the Big Bopper. Waylon left Rock N Roll and went on to be a huge Country Music star. His first album, “Waylon Jennings at JD’s,” was released in 1964 on both the Bat and Sounds LTD record labels. Either issue is worth up to $400.00 today.

One of the biggest teenage tragedy records of all time came in 1960 and falls into the gloomy “death rock” category where some unlucky teen bites the dust, as exemplified by “Teen Angel” by Mark Dinning and “Last Kiss” by J Frank Wilson. But the feature today is “Tell Laura I Love Her” by Ray Peterson. Released on RCA in 1960, the 45 is worth up to $20, the album up to $100 and the EP can get you $200.00 today.

The Isley Brothers first introduced “Shout” in 1959 and thanks to the toga party scene from the movie, “Animal House,” in 1978, the song (this time by Otis Day & the Nights) became a party classic. Put the record on and people “kick their heels up, throw their hands back and shout!” The Isley Brothers’ “Shout” 45 can now sell for $25.00. The album, released by RCA in 1959, is worth up to $400.00 today.

“Hail Hail Rock N Roll.” Where would it be without Chuck Berry? It’s hard to think of one great rock-and-roller who hasn’t been influenced by the man who gave us “Johnny B Goode” and so many other classics. His first album, “After School Sessions,” featured the smash “School Day.” The 78 issue can now fetch $100.00. The LP “After School Sessions,” released on Chess Records in 1957, can get you $300.00 today.