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In 1989 R.E.M was called “America’s hippest band.” Led by Michael Stipe, this superstar group of the 80’s was inducted into the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame in 2007. Their first single on Hibtone Records, “Radio Free Europe,” released in 1981 is worth up to $100.00 today. Add another $150.00 for the picture sleeve.

The first of the manufactured teen idols of the 1950’s was a young man from Philadelphia whose good looks covered up his less than perfect voice. Fabian’s single, “Tiger,” was a top 3 hit. The 45 can now sell for $50.00 with picture sleeve. The album, “Hold That Tiger,” released on Chancellor Records in 1959, is worth up to $100.00 today.

On December 10, 1967 Otis Redding joined the much too long list of recording stars that lost their lives in a plane crash. His 1966 album, “Dictionary of Soul,” was his last before his death. It contained one of his greatest hits, “Try a Little Tenderness.” That single can now sell for $25.00. Released on Volt Records in 1966, the “Dictionary of Soul” album is worth up to $100.00 today.

It starts off like all Dragnet episodes, “This is the city, Los Angeles California.” Jack Webb will forever live as Sgt. Joe Friday seeking “just the facts.” And the fact is in 1953 RCA released an audio version of “Dragnet-The Christmas Story.” Usually record collectors are looking for music but here’s an exception, worth up to $125.00 today. “Dragnet-The Christmas Story” is just one of the 10,000 soundtracks listed on our Soundtracks record guide on a flash drive in Microsoft Word, covering movies, TV shows, and Broadway shows. It’s available in the left hand column.

In 1964 a lot of people thought the Beau Brummels were part of the British Invasion but actually they were from San Francisco. Heavily influence by the Beatles, they had their first hit with “Laugh Laugh.” A copy on an orange label on Autumn Records is valued no higher than $10.00.A copy of the 45 on a white label as seen here can sell for $50.00. In 1965, Autumn Records released the album ,“Introducing the Beau Brummels.” Its worth up to $100.00 today.

Jan and Dean was one of the most successful duos in Rock N Roll history. Managed by the legendary Herb Alpert of Tijuana Brass fame, they had their first hit on the Dore record label.  “Baby Talk” is worth up to $75.00 today. An original copy of their first album, “Jan & Dean,” released in 1960 is worth up to $300.00 today. Add another $400 if you have the 12 x 12 bonus Jan and Dean photo that came with the album.

It’s hard to find anyone who doesn’t love the music of Sam Cooke. Between 1957 and 1964 he had 30 singles that made the Billboard Hot 100. Cooke was also a music publisher and record label owner, which was rare for a black music star of the time. In 1959, Keen Records released the album, “Hit Kit,” featuring three of his biggest hits including “Only Sixteen,” “Everybody Loves to Cha-Cha-Cha,” and “You Send Me.” An original copy of the album can get you $350.00 today.

On Feb. 17, 1966 work begins on what would be the most expensive 45 to record up to that date in the history of Rock and Roll. It takes 11 recording sessions to complete. It would become a million-seller and a true classic for a band that had been sending out good vibrations since 1961. The 45 from Capitol Records of “Good Vibrations” by the Beach Boys can now sell for over $75.00 with its picture sleeve.

John Lennon once said, “If you tried to give Rock and Roll another name you might call it Chuck Berry.” Duck walking his way through the beginning of the Rock N Roll era, his hits and influence are immeasurable. In 1958, Chess Records released “One Dozen Berrys” containing his classics, “Sweet Little Sixteen” and “Rock and Roll Music.” The album can get you $250.00 today. The 78 of “Rock and Roll Music” is now worth up to $350.00.

Laura Nyro was a singer and songwriter whose compositions gained fame for others like “Eli’s Coming” for Three Dog Night. The 5th Dimension scored with her songs “Stone Soul Picnic” and “Wedding Bell Blues.” Blood, Sweat & Tears had a hit with Nyro’s “And When I Die” and Barbara Streisand did the same with “Stoney End.” Laura Nyro was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2012. Her 1967 album, “More Than a New Discovery,” released by Verve-Folkways Records, is worth up to $150.00 today.