moneymusic.com

The Five Keys formed in 1945 in Newport News, Virginia and although they never had any giant hits they were pioneers in the early days of Doo Wop and heavily influenced many of the major acts of the fifties. They did appear on American Bandstand with Dick Clark, but it was before the show went national. Otherwise, their fame might have been greater. Their 1960 album, “Rhythm & Blues Hits—Past and Present,” released by King Records, is worth up to $350.00. Their 1952 single, “Red Sails in the Sunset,” on Aladdin Records can sell for $2,500.00 today.

“The Soul Of Ike & Tina Turner” was the first album for the famous duo and features their first hit, “A Fool In Love.” The song was originally sung by Tina as a demo for Art Lassiter who was then the lead singer in Ike’s band. A fight over royalties between Ike and Lassiter eventually led to Tina’s version being released and the rest is history. The single can now sell for $25.00. Their debut album, released on Sue Records in 1961, is worth up to $750.00 today.

The Honeys were back-up singers for the Beach Boys on their hit, “Be True To Your School” and for Jan and Dean on “The Little Old Lady From Pasadena.” Member Marilyn Rovell would later marry Beach Boy, Brian Wilson. The Honeys’ own singles can be quite collectible such as “Surfin Down The Swanee River.” Recorded on Capitol Records in 1963, the 45 is worth up to $300.00 but the picture sleeve by itself can get you $1,500.00 today.

A shoeshine boy from Georgia grew up to be one of the most famous and successful performers of all time. Known as the Godfather of Soul, James Brown gave you your money’s worth if you saw him in concert or if you purchased any of his records. In 1960, King Records released the album, “James Brown & His Famous Flames Think. A copy that features several pictures of James Brown on the cover is worth up to $100.00 but a copy that shows a baby on the cover can get you $800.00 today. Both covers are shown here.

Who did Elvis Presley open for in the early 1950’s? The answer—Slim Whitman, a Country/Folk singer from Florida whose 1955 single of “Rose Marie” held the record for longest time at number 1 on the British charts until Bryan Adams topped him in 1991. Slim Whitman’s album, “America’s Favorite Folk Artist,” released by Imperial Records in 1954, is worth up to $500.00 today.

Outlaw Country is a relatively new term but David Allan Coe was Outlaw Country before Outlaw Country was cool. Spending much of his youth in correctional facilities, he also once lived in a hearse and a cave. He’s also the man who wrote the classic, “You Can Take This Job And Shove It,” made popular by Johnny Paycheck. David Allan Coe’s 1970 album, “Requiem For a Harlequin,” released on SSS Int’l Records, is worth up to $450.00 today.

Among the legends and pioneers of Rock N Roll is Gene Vincent. His first and biggest hit came in 1956 with “Be Bop A Lula.” It ranks at #102 on Rolling Stone Magazine’s “500 Greatest Songs of All Time.” Although he had many lesser hits he never topped the success of “Be Bop A Lula.” But all of his records are collectible like the 1960 single, “The Night is So Lonely.” Released on Capitol Records, the 45 and picture sleeve can get you up to $1,000.00. A promo copy of the 45 as seen here adds $100.00.

The Temptations was the premier male vocal group of the 1960’s and 70’s despite a steady change of personnel. Their hits are among some of the classics of that era including, “My Girl,” “The Way You Do the Things You Do,” “Ain’t Too Proud To Be,” “Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me),” and “Beauty is Only Skin Deep.” That 45 with picture sleeve can now sell for $75.00. In 1965, Gordy Records released the album, “The Tempting Temptations.” It’s worth up to $125.00 today.

Virginia Patterson Hensley, known forever more as Patsy Cline, became a Country legend and it all began in 1957 with her appearance on “Arthur Godfrey’s Talent Scouts.” That was followed by her monster single, “Walking After Midnight.” The record on 78 rpm can sell now for $150.00. That smash hit was followed by many more. In 1965, her cover version of Pat Boone’s “Love Letters in the Sand” was released by Decca Records as an EP. It’s worth up to $500.00 today.

“The House of The Rising Sun” was a number 1 hit for the Animals in 1964, but the song was first recorded by Clarence Ashley in 1931 and by Country legend Roy Acuff in 1941. Before the Animals made their version the one everyone knows, it was also recorded by Glen Yarbrough and Leadbelly. The 1964 Animals single on M-G-M Records is worth up to $50.00 with its picture sleeve. A purple vinyl copy, as seen here, can get you a $1,500.00 today.