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There was no better loved Country superstar than Johnny Cash and there were few who had as many iconic hits like “I Walk the Line,” “A Boy Name Sue,” and “Ring of Fire.” But the endless string of hits all began in 1955 with “Cry, Cry, Cry.” Released by the legendary Sun Records, both the 78 rpm version as well as the 45 can sell for $150.00 today.

Here’s a Record You Should Know About. Besides singing, writing, and producing for the Beach Boys, Brian Wilson did the same for a group called the Survivors, consisting of Brian Wilson, Bob Norberg, Dave Nowlen, and Rich Alarian. The single, “Pamela Jean,” was released as a favor or payoff to Alarian who had assisted in the writing of many Beach Boys songs without receiving credit. The 45, released on Capitol Records in 1964, is worth up to $500.00 today.

 “Records you should know about” are records that most people have never heard by recording artists most people have never heard of BUT can be worth a LOT of money. Mighty John’s “Records You Should Know About” appraisal guide lists thousands of them, each worth at least up to $500.00 or more. Most are worth up to $1,000.00 or more. Click on “Records You Should Know About” in the yellow strip above for more free samples.

One of the giants of American Country music was a man from Nova Scotia. Hank Snow had more than 75 hits on the Country charts including “I’m Moving On” and “I’ve Been Everywhere.” He is in the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame. His fabulous career all began as a young boy when he purchased his first guitar for $12.95. Among his most popular albums was “Old Doc Brown.” Released on RCA in 1955, a copy can sell for $175.00 today. His 1952 album, “Hank Snow Sings,” is worth up to $150.00.

In 1968, Motown put their two super groups, the Supremes and the Temptations, together and released “I’m Gonna Make You Love Me.” It might have made it to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 had it not been for another Motown superstar, Marvin Gaye, who owned # 1 with “I Heard it Through the Grapevine.” The “I’m Gonna Make You Love Me” single with picture sleeve can get you $100.00 today.

On June 2,1988, Adrien Brown, wife of James Brown, answering to DUI charges says she has diplomatic immunity as she is the wife of the ”ambassador of soul.” The judge is not amused. Among James Brown’s most collectible albums are 1968’s “I Can’t Stand Myself” and 1970’s “Soul on Top.” Each can sell for $200.00 today.

Among the Jazz greats who were “far out, man” was Sun Ra, born Herman Blount. Insisting that he was from Saturn and not a mere Earthling, Sun Ra was extremely prolific with almost 100 albums since 1956. Herman took the name of Sun Ra because Ra is the Egyptian god of the sun. No matter what planet he was from, he constantly preached peace and love. In 1957, Saturn Records (not sure if they were really on Saturn) released the Sun Ra album, “Super Sonic Jazz.” An original copy can sell for $2,500.00 today. The 1966 re issue is no more than $75.00. His 1959 album “Jazz in Silhouette” is now worth up to $1,200.00. Far out, man!

Herman’s Hermits brought the song “Silhouettes” to # 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1965. But it’s the hit version by the Rays that lives in Rock N Roll history. In 1957, the Rays hit # 3 on the national charts. Their classic 45 on Cameo Records can now sell for $25.00. In 1958, Chess Records released the EP, “The Rays.” An original copy is worth up to $450.00 today.

Sam the Sham and the Pharaohs were hot in the mid-1960’s with hits like “Li’l Red Riding Hood” and “Ju Ju Hand.” But it’s the multi-million seller, “Wooly Bully” that solidified their place in Rock N Roll history. “Wooly Bully” was Billboard’s Record of the Year in 1965, having stayed on the charts longer than any other single that year. Most copies are on M-G-M records and worth no more than $10.00. But find a copy on the original XL record label and that could get you $1,000.00 today.

The Barbarians was a 1960’s band who is best known for their hit, “Are You a Boy or Are You a Girl,” now worth up to $30.00. They are also known for their drummer, Victor Moulton, whose nickname is Moulty. With a left hook instead of a left hand, he stood out among the other Rock N Roll drummers of the day. The Barbarians’ self-titled album containing their hit, released on Laurie Records in 1965, can get you $100.00 today.

Jack Scott, born in Ontario, was one of the most prolific song-writers and hit-makers of the late 1950’s and early 1960’s. His first national hit was “My True Love,” which reached #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1958 and worth up to $30.00 today. More hits followed like “Burning Bridges” and “What in the World’s Come Over You.” The “Burning Bridges” album, released on Capitol Records in 1964, can get you $150.00 today.