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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.

The Beach Boys are proprietors of numerous hits Like “Surfin U.S.A.,” “Surfer Girl,” “Fun Fun Fun,” “Help Me Rhonda,” and “Good Vibrations,” all of which are worth money. But it’s one of their lesser-known 45s that we feature today.  “Cool Cool Water” was originally written by Brian Wilson and Mike Love in the mid-1960’s and eventually released as a single in 1971 on Reprise Records. A copy can sell for $350.00 today.

On May 26 in 1973, Deep Purple’s “Smoke on the Water” is released. The song is based on the true story of how someone had fired a gun into the ceiling of the casino at Montreux, Switzerland during a concert by Frank Zappa & the Mothers of Invention. However, record collectors prize “Hush” by Deep Purple more than their other hits. “Hush,” released in 1968 on Tetragrammaton Records is worth up to $400.00 with its picture sleeve.

Linda Scott from Queens, NY hit the charts twelve times in the 1960’s. Her first hit was her biggest. “I’ve Told Every Little Star” was written by Oscar Hammerstein and Jerome Kern way back in 1932.  Her big hit is found on both of her albums for Canadian American Records. “Starlight Starbright” from 1960 and “Great Scott” from 1961 can each get you $150.00 today.

“Introducing the Beatles” was released on Vee Jay records in 1963. It is one of the most difficult albums to appraise as there are 15 variations of the originals, ranging in value from up to $350 to $18,000.00, and there are more counterfeits on the market than originals. There are several ways to spot an original from a fake. Perhaps the best way is by the label on the record. If both “The Beatles” and “Introducing the Beatles” are printed above the hole in the middle of the label, then chances are its real. If “Introducing the Beatles” is printed above the hole and “The Beatles” below the hole, then it’s a counterfeit. All known counterfeit records are listed and described on the “Mighty John’s Record Appraisal Guide” in the left hand column of this page.

One of the best known and popular Doo Wop songs is “Get a Job” by the Silhouettes. The group made several appearances on American Bandstand as their smash hit reached #1 on Billboard. The original 78 rpm version on Junior Records from 1957 is worth up to $350.00. An original maroon label 45 on Junior Records can sell for $400.00. “Get a Job” was the Silhouettes’ biggest claim to fame. However, a copy of their 1968 single, “Not Me Baby,” released on Goodway Records, can get you a whopping $2,000.00 today.

The B-52’s took their name from the bouffant hairdos worn by female members, Cindy Wilson and Kate Pierson. In 1977, they did their first public appearance at a Valentine’s Day party. They were an instant hit. In 1978, they released their first giant contribution to Rock N Roll with “Rock Lobster.” An original copy on their B-52’s record label is worth up to $100.00 today with its picture sleeve.