Do You Still Have Your Vinyl Records? They Could Be worth $$$

Today we live in the digital age, when the thought of a physical copy of our favorite record probably doesn’t even cross one’s mind. But just a few short decades ago we were all buying up vinyl records when we wanted to listen to some tunes. You might even still have a box (or two) in the garage gathering dust.

Vinyl records probably seem like a blast from the past to most people. The first vinyl record was invented in the early 1900s, but it wasn’t until 1930 that RCA Victor launched the first-ever, long-playing commercial record. Since then vinyls have waxed and waned in popularity, but one thing is for sure: you can make a lot of money from old vinyl.

As technology has advanced, vinyl records have become a collector’s paradise. Stumble across a rare copy of a certain album and you could be sitting on a gold mine. Do you have one of these rarities lurking in your attic? It might be time to check for these old classics!

1. Tommy Johnson – Alcohol and Jake Blues

Year: 1930
Record label: Paramount
Worth Today: $37,100*

Who doesn’t love a rare blues record? Tommy Johnson released Alcohol and Jake Blues in 1930 after landing a distribution deal with Paramount. Even back then, that was a huge deal. The master tapes to the record no longer exist, making every single copy (and there are few) invaluable.

Tommy Johnson | Wikipedia.org

Johnson was one of the most influential American Delta blues musicians to record during the late twenties, and his style influenced the styles of other artists (whose vinyls are likely worth a pretty penny nowadays) like Howlin’ Wolf, Robert Nighthawk, and Canned Heat, a band that got its name from Johnson’s song, “Big Road Blues.”

In 2013, buyer John Tefteller shelled out $37,100 to become the proud new owner of one copy. He already had one, but according to him, this version was in much better condition. The purchase made sense to him as the vinyl is just so rare it would be stupid not to buy it!

2. The Beatles – Yesterday & Today

Year: 1966
Record label: Capitol Records
Worth Today: $125,000*

Sometimes, it’s not just the record itself that draws attention, but the artwork. 1966’s Yesterday & Today by The Beatles proved to be famous for more than just John and Paul’s lyrical talents. The compilation album originally had the band on the cover covered in meat. The record label wasn’t too thrilled so decided to swap it out for something more palatable.

The Beatles – Yesterday & Today /Amazon.com

Yesterday and Today was the Beatles’ ninth album on Capitol Records, and it actually contained songs that Capitol refused to release from the band’s EMI albums. It also had songs that the Beatles released elsewhere in non-album form. The idea was to drive up fan purchasing, and Capitol ended up being very successful in that.

There are a select few versions of the album with the original cover still circulating. In February 2013, one such copy sold for $125,000. That’s a lot of money to spend on one circular piece of plastic, but it’s gold dust to collectors

3. U2 – Pride (In The Name Of Love)

Year: 1984
Record Label: Festival Records
Worth Today: $9,000*

Irish superstars U2 have made an absolute fortune from their body of work. Back in the ‘80s, they were busy recording “Pride (In The Name of Love).” While usual copies of the record are everywhere, it’s the Australian presses that are incredibly rare and noteworthy.