Ask “Mr. Music”
Jerry Osborne



FOR THE WEEK OF JULY 30, 2001

DEAR JERRY: I have been told that the Beatles recording of “Anna” is very valuable. Well, I have a 45 single of “Anna,“ and it is by the Beatles.

However, the disc I have also contains three other Beatles tunes: “Misery; Ask Me Why;” and “A Taste of Honey.” Is this the valuable record I heard about?
—Kelly Alpine, York, Pa.

DEAR KELLY: Though “Anna” is the same song on both, these are two completely different records. Of the two, the one you don't have would be the one to have.

Yours is what is known as a 45 rpm extended play (EP), the official title of which is “Souvenir of Their Visit to America” (Vee Jay EP 1-903).

This is not to say your EP is chopped liver. Depending on numerous variables, a near-mint copy your 1964 disc is in the $125 to $225 range if the label is black.

Should you have a white label (promotional) copy, the value jumps to $300 to $350.

Wait! Don't call yet! There's more.

Do you still have the cardboard cover that came with your record? If so, you can double the above prices.

If by chance you own the paper — not cardboard — sleeve that came with the promotional copies of this EP, you will be delighted to know they are worth $7,500 to $8,500.

Just when you think it couldn't get any better, if you really did have the “Anna” single, backed with “Ask Me Why” (Vee Jay “8), the roof blows off. This little piece of plastic now sells for $10,000 to $15,000.

Indeed, the majority of the most valuable records of the '60s are by the Beatles.


DEAR JERRY: During the early '60s, folk and hootenanny music was mighty popular. One of those type songs was about “summer really coming.”

Of all the oldies stations I have listened to in the past 25 years, or so, I have never once heard this tune played. I only hear it in my mind.

I think the group sounded a lot like the New Christy Minstrels, or the Rooftop Singers.

Who? What? When? Help!
—Russ Elmont, Detroit, Mich.

DEAR RUSS: From one of your neighboring states (Sturgeon Bay, Wisc.), Gary Jacobs asks about the same song, but then adds: “How high did “Summer's Really Coming” chart?

It may have been 28 summers ago, but neither of you fellows have forgotten “Summer's Comin',” a 1963 hit for Kirby St. Romain (Inette 103).

This — the only hit ever for St. Romain — did make the national Top 50; however, many regional charts ranked it much higher.

DEAR JERRY: I have learned many things about popular music from your column, from questions asked by others, and your answers. Now it's my turn to ask one.

What can you tell me about a song either titled, or with the lyrics, “Calling Doctor Casey,” or “Doctor Kildare”?
—Timothy A. Chichester, Antioch, Ill.

DEAR TIMOTHY: I can tell you everything about this song, since it has been in my collection since 1962.

That's the year it came out, a time when both “Ben Casey” and “Doctor Kildare” ranked among television's most popular shows. The exact title is “Callin' Doctor Casey” (RCA Victor 47-8054), and it is by singer-songwriter John D. Loudermilk.

This musical call for the TV doc to fix a broken heart didn't do too well on the charts, peaking at No. 83.

IZ ZAT SO? Among John D. Loudermilk's better sellers are “Language of Love” and “Sittin' in the Balcony,” the latter of which he recorded under the name Johnny Dee.

A nearly identical cover version by Eddie Cochran became the first of many great hits for Cochran.






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