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Jimmy Soul had a #1 hit in 1963 with “If You Want to be Happy (For the Rest of Your Life, Make a Ugly Woman Your Wife).” It was Jimmy Soul’s second hit. A copy can sell up to $50.00 with its picture sleeve. In 1962, he charted with “Twistin’ Matilda.” Both songs had been turned down by the record label’s hottest star, Gary U.S. Bonds. The “If You Want to be Happy” album, released on S.P.Q.R records, can sell for $100.00 today.

Robert Mitchum was one of the greatest actors of his generation. In 1955, he starred in the movie, “Night of the Hunter,” where he played the proverbial sheep in wolf’s clothing. A minister turned serial killer; he plans to steal the fortune from a widow with small children. The music was provided by Walter Schumann. The original soundtrack album, released by RCA, can get you $200.00 today. “Night of the Hunter” is just one of the 10,000 soundtracks listed on our Soundtracks Guide, covering movies, TV shows, and Broadway shows. It’s available in the left hand column.

Although “Dirty Water” by the Standells broke out first as a regional hit in Florida, it will forever be an anthem in Boston where it’s played following victories by the Red Sox and Bruins. With its references to the Charles river, the Boston Strangler, and the frustration of the city’s coeds for having to be in “by 12 o’clock,” “Dirty Water” is ranked by Rolling Stone magazine among its list of the “500 Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll.” The “Dirty Water” album, released by Tower Records in 1966, is worth up to $100.00 in mono and $150.00 in stereo. In 1965, Vee Jay Records released the 45, “The Boy Next Door,” by the Standells. A copy with picture sleeve, as seen here, can sell for $200.00 today.

In 1997 Governor George W. Bush declared May 5^th as ZZ Top day in Texas. ZZ Top’s first album was called “First Album.” Released in 1971 on London Records, a copy is worth up to $200.00 today. Their first 45, “Salt Lick,” was released on Scat Records in 1969 and can now sell for $125.00.

Mickey Dolenz has done it all in his professional career as an actor, Rock N Roll singer, director, and radio personality. It all started in 1956 when he starred in the TV show, “Circus Boy.” But it’s his fame as a member of the Monkees that he will always be known for best. In 1967, Challenge Records released the Mickey Dolenz single, “Huff Puff.” A copy with picture sleeve is worth up to $100.00. In 1972, long after the end of the Monkees’ TV show, Mickey recorded with Michael Lloyd as a member of Starship. They had a 45 in 1972 called “It’s Amazing to Me.” Released on Lion Records, a copy can get you $150.00 today.

The Shangri-Las had such a massive hit with “Leader of the Pack” that it’s easy to forget some of their other hits like “Remember (Walking in the Sand)” and “Give Him a Great Big Kiss,” both from 1964. Their last big hit came in 1965 with “I Can Never Go Home Anymore.” Released on Red Bird Records, the 45 is worth up to $25.00 while the album can get you $125.00 today.

Jimmy Buffet’s “Havana Dreamin” is one of those albums where the tracks on the record can make a difference in value. If a copy contains “Defying Gravity,” the value is no more than $20.00. However, if a copy, instead of playing “Defying Gravity,” mistakenly plays a song that says, “Please take your drunken 15-year-old girlfriend home” then the value is up to $150.00. Originals are on ABC records. Re-issues on MCA would be no more than $10.00.

Recording as Runt, Todd Rundgren released his first debut album, “Runt,” in 1970. However, Runt was regarded as a trio consisting of Rundgren, Hunt Sales on drums, and bass player Tony Sales. Previously, Rundgren was part of the group Nazz whose biggest hit was “Hello It’s Me.” That single can fetch $50.00 with its picture sleeve, The “Runt” album, released on Ampex/Bearsville Records, is worth up to $100.00 today.

Pearl Jam’s rise to stardom began in 1991. They have been called “the most popular Rock N Roll band of the 90’s.” Breaking out of Seattle, they brought Grunge to the mainstream. Their fusion of Punk and Classic Rock exploded on the FM airways. In 2009, Pearl Jam released the 45 from their album, “The Fixer.” Written and recorded by lead singer Eddie Vedder, an orange vinyl copy of the single, released on Monkeywrench Records, can get you $600.00 today. Make it $800 for blue vinyl.

Bobby Rydell, Frankie Avalon and Fabian were major teen idols in the late 1950’s and early 1960’s. The list of Bobby Rydell’s hits in those years are massive including “Swingin School,” “Kissin Time,” “Volare,” “Wildwood Days,” and “Forget Him.” His first album, “We Got Love” was also the title of one of his biggest hits. The 45 with picture sleeve can sell for $50.00. Released on Cameo Records in 1962, a copy of the album can sell for $100.00 today.