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“Don’t know much about history, don’t know much biology. Don’t know much about a science book. Don’t know much about the French I took.” BUT I do know what the record is worth. Released on Keen Records in 1960, the 45 of “Wonderful World” is worth up to $50.00. Make it $250.00 for the album it is from called, “The Wonderful World of Sam Cooke.” (Find the values for every record by Sam Cooke in our “Record Appraisal Guide,” available in the left hand column.)

Among the Blues artists that came out of Chicago after World War ll was Little Walter, a one-time band member with Muddy Waters. In 1952, he hit big with “Juke,” which led to the formation of his own band. Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2008, Little Walter’s temper led to his downfall and death from a head injury. The “Juke” 45, released on Checker Records, is worth up to $200.00. In 1957, Chess Records issued the album, “The Best of Little Walter.” An original copy can sell for $1,000.00 today.

In 1964, at the start of the Beatles’ success in America, M-G-M Records released the album, “The Beatles with Tony Sheridan and Guests.” It featured the Beatles singing “Cry for a Shadow.” Also on the album were 5 songs by Tony Sheridan with the Beatles doing back-up. Completing the album was an American group called the Titans, which was really Danny Davis of Nashville Brass fame. Their 6 songs were previously released on the album “Let’s Do the Twist for Adults,” which is worth no more than $25.00. However, “The Beatles with Tony Sheridan and Guests” on MGM is worth up to $250.00 in mono and $750.00 in stereo.

The Osmonds scored big in 1971 with “One Bad Apple.” The hit single stayed at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for 5 weeks. The song was almost recorded first by the Jackson 5. A lot of listeners thought it was Michael and his brothers before realizing it was Donny and his brothers. The 45 is worth no more than $10.00 but if you have the picture sleeve and it credits “Osmond Brothers” as seen here and not “Osmonds” then the value jumps up to $400.00.

Lightnin’ Slim has been listed among the five greatest Blues artists of the 1950’s along with Howlin’ Wolf, Little Walter, Sonny Boy Williamson, and Muddy Waters. In 1959, Excello Records released, “Rooster Blues,” one of Lightnin’ Slim’s best known records. A copy of the 45 is worth up to $75.00 but the “Rooster Blues” album, released in 1960 on Excello, can sell for up to $1800.00 today.

It was Johnny Cash who told his young friend Roy Orbison to call Sam Phillips at Sun Records about a recording contract. Sam took the call but hung up saying, “Johnny Cash doesn’t run my record company.” But Roy’s persistence and raw talent were too strong to ignore and between 1960 and 1964, he placed 22 songs on the Billboard Top 40. Among them is “In Dreams.” In 1963, Monument Records issued the 45, which is worth up to $60.00 with its picture sleeve. The “In Dreams” album can sell for $50.00 in stereo and $100.00 in mono.

“Records You Should Know About” are records that most people have never heard of but can be worth a lot of money such as the 45, “Black Cadillac,” by Joyce Green. Released by Vaden Records in 1960, an original copy is worth up to $2,000.00. In 1957, F &L Records put out the single, “Rock A Little Baby”, by Frank Floyd. Find a copy and you will find a record that can get you $3,000.00 today. “Records you should know about” are records that most people have never heard of but can be worth a lot of money. Most are found at a local yard sale or flea market. Click on “Records You Should Know About” in the yellow strip above for more examples.

Gospel was the only type of music for which the King of Rock N Roll won a Grammy. Elvis Presley’s second Grammy Award came in 1972 with the album “He Touched Me,” featuring spiritual songs like “Amazing Grace” and “Reach Out to Jesus.” The album, released by RCA, is worth up to $40.00 but the 45 of “He Touched Me,” released in 1971, is valued up to $200.00 with its picture sleeve as shown here with the album.

You can’t write a history about the founding fathers of rock and roll without including Carl Perkins. Paul McCartney once said, “If there were no Carl Perkins, there would be no Beatles.” The Beatles recorded many of his classics including “Matchbox, “Honey Don’t,” and “Everybody’s Trying to Be My Baby.” Of course, Carl’s biggest hit was the classic, “Blue Suede Shoes.” An original copy of the 45 on Sun Records is worth up to $125.00. His album, “Dance Album,” on Sun Records, containing “Blue Suede Shoes” can now sell for $1,000.00.

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

In 1971, in cooperation with Post Cereal, RCA Special Products released “Golden Hits” by the Monkees on the Colgems label. The album contained classics such as “Last Train to Clarksville,” “I’m a Believer,” “Pleasant Valley Sunday” and the “Monkees Theme.” The album was only available for purchase by mail order. A copy is worth up to $150.00 today.(Find the values for over a million records in our “Record Appraisal Guide,” available in the left hand column. PLUS a free list of record buyers in your area)