The Beatles Memorabilia and Collectibles

Who doesn't love the Beatles and what's not to love?  "Beatlemania" swept through England and then the United States in the early 1960s, as four young men from Liverpool changed popular music forever. For three years, The Beatles  honed their musical skills in the small, sweaty clubs of Liverpool and Hamburg. Word spread like wildfire of a hot young
band whose sound was based in skiffle and American '50s rock 'n roll, and under manager Brian Epstein’s direction, the foursome became more confident and assured.

Though they started out with other drummers, the eventual lineup of The Beatles included John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr. Nicknamed the “Fab Four,” The Beatles’ popularity in the U.K. grew following their 1962 hit “Love Me Do.” By 1964, they were spearheading the British Invasion of America, with a number of chart-topping, cleverly written pop singles to their credit. After 1965, however, their sound began to expand to include other influences, including psychedelia, pop balladry, and classical elements.

With the help of producer George Martin, they became studio innovators, releasing some of the most critically acclaimed albums in rock history, such as 1965’s Rubber Soul, 1966’s Revolver, 1967’s Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, 1968’s The Beatles (or, as it more commonly known, the White

Album), and 1969’s Abbey Road. But there was dissension within the ranks, and in 1970, The Beatles broke up.

All four of them embarked on successful solo careers, with McCartney starting the band Wings with wife Linda McCartney. In 1980, Lennon was shot and killed in New York City, and lung cancer took Harrison in 2001. McCartney and Starr are still alive and continue to work to this day.

Outside of KISS, nobody could ever rival The Beatles as far as merchandising goes. Lunch boxes, juke boxes, comics, pennants, toys, buttons, coffee mugs … the list is endless. Items with authenticated autographs often go for huge prices – even six figures, as a copy of Sgt. Pepper’s signed by all four members recently did. Fan club memorabilia is highly-sought after, as are well-kept vintage magazines with the Fab Four on the cover. Material from their Apple Records days is in demand, and when it comes to vinyl records, some of the most expensive and rare specimens are Beatles records. And because the Beatles stopped touring fairly early in their career, any concert-related items from the early ‘60s are prized, as well.

Check out our current inventory: Beatles Memorabilia

Rolling Stones Memorabilia and Collectibles

In contrast to the fresh-faced image, good-natured wit and bright, buoyant pop of The Beatles, The Rolling Stones were perceived as dark and dangerous. The two groups were at the forefront of the

Original Rolling Stones Promo Poster

British Invasion that swept over the United States in the mid 1960s, with the Stones referring to themselves as “the World’s Greatest Rock & Roll Band” by the end of the decade.

Influenced by Muddy Waters and other traditional rhythm and blues artists, the Stones came together in London in 1962, with the original lineup featuring multi instrumentalist Brian Jones, lead singer/harmonica player Mick Jagger, guitarist Keith Richards, drummer Charlie Watts, piano player Ian Stewart and bassist Bill Wyman. Jones founded the band and was the initial leader, but the songwriting duo of Jagger and Richards eventually took charge. 

Drugs diminished the physical and mental state of Jones, leading to his departure two weeks before his drowning death in 1969. Their late’60s output included acclaimed albums such as 1967’s Between the Buttons and Their Satanic Majesties Request, 1968’s Beggars Banquet and 1969’s Let it Bleed – the last record to feature Jones, it also marked the first appearance of his replacement, Mick Taylor. With Taylor, the Stones made the classic LPs Sticky Fingers (1971), Exile on Main St. (1972), Goat’s Head Soup (1973), and It’s Only Rock ‘n Roll (1974), before replacing him with

Rolling Stones Promo Matchbook

Ronnie Wood in 1975 and recording Black and Blue (1976), Some Girls (1978), Emotional Rescue (1980) and Tattoo You (1981) – all eight of these studio albums hitting No. 1 in the U.S. In 1993, Wyman retired, leaving the Stones to carry on with Wood, Richards, Jagger, Watts and hired hands on bass.

They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1989, celebrated their 50th anniversary in 2012 and have sold more than 200 million records. With one of the most famous logos in rock and roll history, the Stones are among the most collectible artists in music history.

Early handbills and concert posters can go for hundreds and even thousands of dollars, while fine art print photos of the Stones and individual band members – especially Mick, Keith and Brian – are also often pricey collectibles. Vintage issues of Rolling Stone featuring the Stones are also interesting and in-demand collectibles, as are old concert tickets, backstage passes and tour t-shirts. Depending on condition and rarity, some of their vinyl records are worth hundreds of dollars, and some especially difficult to find specimens can reach four or five figures.

Check out our current inventory: Rolling Stones Memorabilia