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James Brown’s first hit was “Please Please Please.” It has become a Rhythm & Blues classic and recognized as the signature song for James Brown and The Famous Flames. Reportedly, the song came about because James Brown’s friend, Little Richard, had written please, please, please on an old napkin that he carried around and Brown felt the urge to write a song with that title. The single, released on Federal Records in 1955, is worth up to $40.00. The “Please Please Please” album was released on King Records in 1958. A copy can sell for $400.00 today.

In 1968, Capitol Records released “Lady Madonna,” their last 45 with the Beatles. It peaked at #4 on the Billboard Hot 100. Paul McCartney said he wrote the song as a boogie woogie blues song ala Fats Domino. Ironically, Fats Domino would also record the song. The original 45 with its picture sleeve is worth up to $100.00. A promo copy, as seen here, can sell for $200.00 today.

Get the values for every Beatles record and every Elvis record free!  No purchase necessary! (over 2,000 on the list) For all the details listen to any “Money Music” Podcast.

In anticipation of the Beach Boys’ single, “Heroes and Villains,” Capitol Records ordered a picture sleeve for the record. However, before the song was available, the Beach Boys had formed their own label, Brother. They issued “Heroes and Villains” as their first single on their new label. The cartoon picture sleeve for the Brother release in 1967 is worth up to $75.00. But the Capitol picture sleeve from 1966, showing six pictures of members of the Beach Boys, can sell for $500.00 today.

One of the most iconic movies of all time, “Dirty Harry,” has one of the great iconic lines of all time spoken by Clint Eastwood. “I know what you’re thinking. Did he fire six shots or only five? Well, to tell you the truth, in all the excitement I’ve kinda lost track myself. But, being this is a .44 magnum-the most powerful handgun in the world and would blow your head clean off, you’ve got to ask yourself one question-do I feel lucky? Well, do ya, punk?” In 1973, Verve records released a 45 of “Dirty Harry” by Lalo Schifrin. A copy would make it a lucky day, punk. It’s worth up to $200.00 today.

Del Shannon is best known for his 1961 Billboard Hot 100 #1 hit, “Runaway.” He followed up with “Hats Off to Larry,” a #5 chart-buster. His third and final hit came in 1962 with “Little Town Flirt.” The 45, released by Big Top Records, is worth up to $25.00. The “Little Town Flirt” album can sell for $100.00 today.

The “Breakfast in America” album by Supertramp, released on A&M Records in 1979, launched a number of hit singles including “The Logical Song,” “Goodbye Stranger,” and “Take The Long Way Home.” The regular album is not a big collectible but the picture disc version as shown here can sell for $500.00 today. (You can find the values for over 1,000 picture discs with “Mighty John’s Picture Disc Guide,” available in the left hand column.)

In 1968, Apple Records signed the band, Badfinger, when they were known as the Iveys. As Badfinger, they had 4 hits in a row from 1970 to 1972. Their first chart-buster was “Come and Get It” written by Paul McCartney. That was followed by “No Matter What,” “Day After Day,” and “Baby Blue.” Their one record as the Iveys was “Maybe Tomorrow.” Released on Apple Records in 1969, the 45 is worth up to $30.00. However, it was also issued as a 4-inch pocket-disc. That version can sell for $400.00 today. Both versions are shown here.

Annette was the reason most boys watched the Mickey Mouse Club in the 1950’s. In the 1960’s, her singing and other noted attributes were featured in a number of “beach” movies with co-star Frankie Avalon. The story-lines are forgettable but these films live on in pop culture. In 1963, Buena Vista Records released the album “Annette’s Beach Party.” A copy can sell for $100.00 today. The single from the album “Treat Him Nicely” along with “Promise Me Anything” can get you up to $250.00 with the picture sleeve. Both album and picture sleeve for the 45 are shown here, each featuring Annette’s autographed surf board.

“New Adventures in Hi-Fi” is the 10^th album by R.E.M.(Rapid Eye Movement). Many critics claim it was their best album. Released by Warner Brothers in 1996 as a two-record set, it is now valued up to $200.00. Their first 45 for Hibtone Records was “Radio Free Europe.” A copy showing the street address for Hibtone on the label is worth up to $125.00. If no address is shown on the label, as seen here, the value jumps up to $650.00. Add another $200.00 for the picture sleeve.

(All the little things that can make a big difference in record values are detailed in Mighty John’s “Record Appraisal Guide,” available in the left hand column.)

The EP (extended play), which are 7 inch albums, were a staple of the early Rock and Roll era. In 1957, Cadence Records released two EP’s by the Everly Brothers. The first features their hits “Wake Up Little Susie” and “Bye Bye Love.” Vol.2 features “This Little Girl of Mine” and “Be-Bop-A-Lula.” Each EP, as shown here,can get you $100.00 today.

(Find the values for every record by the Everly Brothers and every record by over 75,000 other recording artists in our “Record Appraisal Guide,” available in the left hand column.)