What are Elvis Presley Vinyl Records Worth?

To get an understanding of what Elvis Presley vinyl records are worth, it is instructive to understand a little of his story.

Known by many as the King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Aaron Presley was born in Tupelo, MS in 1935. His impact on world culture is undeniable. It is perhaps controversial but certainly indelible.

Collectability of his records

One aspect that contributes to his enduring legacy is the collectability of his vinyl records. These are highly sought-after items by music enthusiasts, collectors, and fans alike.

This collectability can be put down to several factors. Primarily, Elvis’s early death in August 1977 at the age of just 42 had the effect of freezing his musical output.

Secondly, when his records were released, vinyl was becoming the dominant format. Therefore, his records are significant artefacts of the halcyon early days of vinyl. It was the only way to own a physical copy of Elvis’s music in its original format – something which only adds to the allure.

Certain of Elvis’s vinyl records were released in such small quantities that their desirability is heightened. Limited editions, rare releases, promotional records and in one case, a one-off copy, paid for and recorded by the unknown Elvis, are highly prized by collectors and devotees who wish to build and expand their collections.

Then there are records from specific periods in his career. His early Sun Records recordings or his early RCA Victor albums had considerable value.

The condition of the record also plays a crucial role in its collectability. Mint copies with little to no wear, original covers, and accompanying inserts or posters are highly coveted by collectors. Well-preserved vinyl fetches the highest prices in the market.

What are Elvis Presley vinyl records worth?

So, just what are Elvis Presley vinyl records worth, what prices have they sold for?

Elvis’s vinyl records, both singles and LPs, are highly collectable, and their value can vary depending on several factors such as rarity, condition, edition, and demand.

There follows a selection of valuable vinyl records by Elvis, the King of Rock n Roll.

Singles

That’s All Right (Sun 209, 1954)

Elvis’s first single is a cover of Blues singer Arthur Crudup’s 1946 original. It is backed by Blue Moon of Kentucky and was recorded by Sam Phillips at the famous Sun Studios in Memphis, TN on July 5, 1954. It was released two weeks later, on 19 July.

It is highly sought after by collectors and when presented in excellent condition, it has reached prices of over $10,000 at auction.

Notable auction houses for Elvis records include Heritage Auctions and Julien’s Auctions.

My Happiness/That’s When Your Heartaches Begin (Sun 78, 1953)

This was Elvis’s first ever recording and cost the 18-year-old $4 at Sun Studios. Recorded by Sam Phillips’ assistant Marion Keisker, the track is a ballad more often covered by female singers.

Both My Happiness and its B-side, That’s When Your Heartaches Begin are slow-tempo songs. Although neither showcase Elvis’s later energy and verve, his raw talent and obvious musical ability are detectable, albeit shrouded somewhat in his nervousness.

As the story goes, Elvis did not have a record player at home, so he went to his friend, Ed Leek’s house to listen to the freshly pressed disc. Elvis left it at Leek’s house. Leek and his wife kept it in a safe for sixty years until they both passed away. The disc was inherited by Leek’s niece, Lorisa Hilburn of Rockledge, FL, who decided to sell it.

The original 78 rpm acetate pressing, considered the holy grail of Elvis Presley collectables, was put up for auction in 2015 on what would have been Elvis’s 80th birthday. The online auction by Graceland Auctions ended with the gavel dropping on a sale price of $240,000. Fees of $60,000 took the total to a record-breaking price of $300,000.

Good Rockin’ Tonight/I Don’t Care if the Sun Don’t Shine (Sun 210, 1954)

This is Elvis’s second single release. Again, recorded by Sam Phillips, it is another valuable Elvis single from his Sun Records era. It features Scotty Moore on lead guitar and Bill Black on double bass.

It was written by Blues singer Roy Brown. Brown’s original recording made #13 in the Billboard R&B chart in 1947.

A cover by Wynonie Harris made #1 in the R&B chart in 1948. Harris was a leading exponent of Jump Blues which was a precursor of Rock n Roll. It is reported that Elvis’s vocal style and physical moves on stage owed a great deal to Harris. It is known that Elvis saw Harris in the early 1950s, so this is perhaps unsurprising.

In August 2022, Rockhurst Auctions of Chicago, IL, sold a copy for $1 610. However, it is reported that copies in excellent condition can reach between $2,000 and $5,000 at auction.

Albums

Elvis Presley (RCA Victor LPM-1254, 1956)

Elvis signed with RCA Victor (now part of Sony Music Group) in November 1955. His debut studio album, released in March 1956, is a highly desirable item. It is commonly referred to as The Elvis Presley Rock n’ Roll Album – indeed on release in the UK it was titled Elvis Presley Rock n’ Roll.

It contains such classics as Blue Suede Shoes, Blue Moon and a cover of the song considered by many as the first classic Rock n Roll track, Little Richard’s Tutti Frutti.

It was recorded between July 1954 and January 1956 at Sun Studios and in RCA’s studios in both Nashville and New York. The first Rock and Roll album to sell a million copies, it spent ten weeks at the top of the Billboard Top Pop Albums Chart in 1956 – another first for Rock and Roll.

In mint condition, copies can reach over $5,000 at auction.

His subsequent album, Elvis, was also released in 1956 on RCA. Containing diverse tracks such as (another Little Richard cover) Long Tall Sally and Old Shep this one sells for around $3,000 in mint condition.

The third most valuable album by Elvis is his 1973 offering, Aloha from Hawaii Via Satellite. Copies of this album are known to sell for around $2,500 in mint condition.

For a list of Elvis’s original LP releases in the period 1956-1960, please click here.

For a list of his original LP releases in the period 1961 – 1965, please click here.

For a list of original LP releases between 1966 and 1970, please click here.

For a list of original LP releases between 1971 and 1977, please click here.

Other memorabilia

However, it’s interesting to note that other Elvis memorabilia from this concert have sold for considerable sums of money. His cape, as worn during the performance, was sold at auction in 1999 for over $100,000. His 1969 Custom Gibson Ebony Dove guitar, as played by Elvis at the show sold for $270,000 in January 2016 

It’s important to note that the values mentioned above are approximate and, in many cases could be considered freak results, based on the records sold being in tip-top condition and in extremely short supply.

Prices and values can vary significantly depending on the specific edition, condition, and other factors. If you want to determine the current market value of specific Elvis Presley records, it is essential that you consult reputable price guides and auction catalogues. Perhaps better still, why not contact specialized record dealers or collectors?

In summary

Overall, the collectability of Elvis Presley’s vinyl records is a testament to his enduring popularity and influence. Owning them provides a real, physical connection to his music. Moreover, it allows collectors to act as conservators in preserving significant pieces of musical history and indeed, Western culture.

If you have enjoyed this article or have anything you would like to add to the debate, please leave me a comment below.