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On Oct 2, 1945, ten-year-old Elvis Presley makes his first public appearance in a talent show at the Mississippi-Alabama Dairy Show. He sings “Old Shep” and wins second place. He is awarded $5.00 and free admission to the fairground rides. He later records the song for his 1956 album, “Elvis.” A copy can now sell for up to $500.00.

Curtis Mayfield left the Impressions in 1970 but with the group, he recorded albums that are collectible today. Their 1963 debut album, “The Impressions,” released by ABC Paramount, is worth up to $200.00 as is their 1968 album, “Ridin’ High.”

In 2010, as part of Record Store Day, Universal/Island Records released a 12 inch EP by U2 called “Wide Awake in Europe.” The record includes “Mercy,” “Moment of Surrender,” and “I’ll Go Crazy If I Don’t Go Crazy Tonight.” 5,000 copies were issued and each can sell up to $125.00 today. In 2015, IGA Records released “Songs of Innocence” by U2 as a Record Store Day exclusive. A copy can now sell for $800.00.

The Contours is a group who had the same hit on the Billboard Hot 100 in two different years. In 1962, recording for Motown’s Gordy record label, they reached #3 with “Do You Love Me.” That 45 is now worth up to $40.00. They hit again with “Do You Love Me” in 1988 thanks to the song being featured in the popular movie, “Dirty Dancing.” But the Contours’ first single, “Whole Lotta Woman,” released on Motown Records in 1961, is worth up to $500.00 today.

Conway Twitty had two successful careers, the first in Rock N Roll and then Country. His first giant hit came in 1958 with “Its Only Make Believe.” It was #1 in the U.S. and #1 in twenty-one other countries. In 1959, Conway connected with another giant hit called “Lonely Blue Boy.” His popularity with the Rock N Roll audience led to appearances in “College Confidential,” “Sex Kittens Go to College,” and “Platinum High School.” The “Lonely Blue Boy” 45 is worth up to $25.00. The “Lonely Blue Boy” album, released on M-G-M Records in 1960, can sell for $100.00 today.

On June 16, 1967, the first Monterey Pop Festival begins with numerous rock legends like Jefferson Airplane and the Mamas and Papas. Papa John Phillips would later write a song inspired by this legendary concert. It wouldn’t be a hit for him but it would be for one-hit-wonder, Scott McKenzie, with the classic, “San Francisco (Be Sure to Wear Some Flowers in Your Hair).” The 45 is not a big collectible at up to $10.00. However, Jefferson Airplane is another story. Their album “Jefferson Airplane Takes Off” released by RCA in 1967 can sell for $50.00 if the album has 11 tracks. BUT, if the album has 12 tracks the value jumps up to $500.00 in mono and $700.00 in stereo. Little things can make a BIG difference in the value of records.

Patsy Cline was as important to Country music as any female star in history. Her career all began with a song she didn’t want to record, “Walkin’ After Midnight.” The tune was originally offered to Kay Starr, who was one of the hottest girl singers of the day, but she turned it down. After Patsy Cline sang the song on “Arthur Godfrey’s Talent Scouts” TV show the record took off like a rocket and a legendary Country star was born. The original 45, released on Decca Records in 1957, is now worth up to $150.00 with its picture sleeve.

“Surfin’ Bird” by the Trashmen, despite the refusal of many radio stations to play it, climbed all the way to #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1963. It’s one of those songs you either love or hate. Released on Garrett Records, the single is worth up to $25.00. The Trashmen never found big success again but their 45 of “Whoa Dad,” with picture sleeve, released in 1964, is worth up to $250.00 today.

Of all the actresses of her generation, many guys would have picked Tina Louise to be stranded with on a deserted island. Of course Bob Denver turned out to be one of the lucky ones on “Gilligan’s Island”. But before “Ginger” was stranded along with the skipper and the professor, she was a songstress. Her 1957 album “Her Portrait in Music,” released on Concert Hall Records, can get you $700.00 today. Her 1958 album “It’s Time for Tina” is now worth up to $850.00.

B.J. Thomas was a hit-making machine in the 60’s and 70’s. In 1968 he had two massive hits with “Eyes of a New York Woman” and “Hooked on a Feeling.” The next year the movie, “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid” was released, featuring B.J.Thomas singing “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ On My Head,” which was not only a #1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 but also won an academy award for best original song. But B.J.’s first million-seller came in 1966 with a cover version of Hank Williams’ “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry.” The 45 is worth no more than $10.00 but the album, released on Pacemaker Records, is worth up to $125.00 today.