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Jimmy Bowen was a major record producer in the 1960’s. Frank Sinatra hired him to produce records for his Reprise record label. Bowen produced hits for Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Sammy Davis Jr. But back in the 1950’s, Bowen was a Rock N Roll singer and reached # 14 on the Billboard charts in 1957 with “I’m Stickin’ With You,” which ends with the lyric “I’m stuck with you, Baby.” Released on Roulette Records, the 45 is worth up to $40.00 while the “Jimmy Bowen” album containing the hit can sell for $125.00 today.

The first draft of Jan And Dean’s 1963 hit, “Surf City”, was written by Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys. The working title was “Goody Connie Won’t You Come Back Home.” The working title for “Yesterday” by the Beatles was “Scrambles Eggs.”  So much for working titles! The original” Surf City” 45 on Liberty Records is worth up to $50.00 with its picture sleeve. The original “Yesterday” by the Beatles can sell for $100.00 with its picture sleeve.

One of the most popular and endearing Doo Wop classics is “Earth Angel,” made famous by the Penguins and written by Jesse Belvin. In 1956, Jesse had his own big hit with “Good Night My Love.” In 1959, he hit gold again with “Guess Who.” Influenced by Nat King Cole, Jesse was a major influence on a young Sam Cooke. In 1959, RCA released the album, “Just Jesse Belvin. A year later RCA released “Mr. Easy” by Jesse Belvin. Each of the albums is worth up to $100.00 today.

After Billy Joel played “Just the Way You Are” for his then wife Elizabeth, she asked “Do I get the publishing too?” Later Billy would say, “In retrospect, I probably should have known right then and there that the relationship was doomed. I had written ‘Just the Way You Are’ for someone who had changed.” The 45, “Just the Way You Are,” with picture sleeve is worth no more than $10.00. Maybe she should have asked for a mono copy of the Billy Joel album, “The Stranger.” That could get her and you up to $2,000.00.

In 1982, Elektra Records released the single, “Body Language,” by Queen. Written by lead singer Freddie Mercury, it was the band’s first excursion into Funk and Disco. The value for the 45 depends on the picture sleeve. The version with a color picture of two naked bodies is worth no more than $10.00. However, a copy of the 45 that came with a sleeve with no images but just Queen and Body Language in red print on white background can sell for $350.00 today. Both versions are shown here.

Merry Christmas! If you have a black vinyl copy of the original “Elvis Christmas Album” from 1957 on RCA its worth up to $1,000.00. However, if the vinyl is red, as seen here, the value jumps up to $15,000.00. Ho Ho Ho!

Two years before Jerry Lee Lewis had his smash hit of “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On,” Big Maybelle charted with her version. In 1999, the Grammy Hall of Fame Award was given to Big Maybelle’s 1956 hit, “Candy.” Her last hit came in 1966 with a cover version of “96 Tears,” made most famous by Question Mark and the Mysterians. In 1957, Savoy Records released the albums, “Big Maybelle Sings” and “Blues, Candy and Big Maybelle.” Each is worth up to $600.00 today.

In 1963, Michael Nesmith, who would later become a member of the Monkees, had his first single called “Wanderin’.” Released on Highness Records, an original copy can sell for $1,000.00 but Michael’s mom is worth so much more. Bette Nesmith Graham invented what became known as Liquid Paper. Liquid Paper also known as “white-out” was sold to Gillette for $47.5 million dollars.

One of the most successful groups in Rock N Roll was the Olympics who first hit big with “(My Baby Loves the) Western Movies,” a top-10 Billboard hit from 1958. In 1959, they were responsible for popularizing the dance craze called the Hully Gully. Other hits included “Big Boy Pete,” and “Shimmy Like Kate.” In 1960, the Olympics charted with “Dance by the Light of the Moon.” The single on Arvee Records is worth up to $20.00 but the “Dance by the Light of the Moon” album can sell for $125.00 today.

The number of hits by Chuck Berry seems endless and many of them can be found on his third album, “Chuck…Berry is on Top.” The album could be called a greatest hits album with classics like “Maybellene,” “Johnny B Goode,” “Roll Over Beethoven” and “Little Queenie.” “Little Queenie on a 78 can get you $300. An original copy of “Chuck…Berry is on Top,” released on Chess Records in 1959, is also worth up to $300.00 today.