Karolyn Grimes

Karolyn Grimes is best known for her portrayal of Zuzu in the 1946 classic It's a Wonderful Life.  She was also other movies, such as The Bishop's Wife (1947) and the John Wayne film, Rio Grande (1950).

On her website, zuzu.net, she offers a number of different autographed items: 21 different photos ($20 each), a cookbook that she authored ($20), and 16 different Christmas ornaments ($20), among other items.  I chose the photo from the famous scene in It's a Wonderful Life where she exclaims "Every time a bell rings, an angel gets his wings".  She signed the photo along with the quote and her character's name, along with a little picture of a bell.

Total cost with shipping: $25

Amy Grant

Amy Grant has won six Grammys and 22 Gospel Music Association Dove Awards.  Some of her well-known songs include "The Next Time I Fall" with Peter Cetera, "Baby, Baby", "Every Heartbeat", "That's What Love Is For", "Good for Me", and "I Will Remember You", among others. 

On her website, amygrant.com, she offers a signed copy of her autobiography Mosaic: Pieces of My Life So Far for $15.  These signed copies are limited to 5,000 copies and are signed on a bookplate affixed to the inside front cover of the book.

Total cost with shipping: $28.90

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

The NBA Hall of Famer, six-time MVP, and all-time leading scorer is also an author.  On his website, kareemabduljabbar.com, you can purchase autographed copies of four of his books ($25/$26/$36/$100), a signed basketball ($249), a signed jersey ($250), or you can send your own item to be signed ($150).

I purchased a copy of his novel, Mycroft Holmes, (about Sherlock's older brother).  It was signed on the title page with the note, "The adventure begins".

Total cost with shipping: $36

Kevin Bacon and Michael Bacon

Kevin Bacon is a Golden-Globe-winning actor who has starred in a number of well-known movies since the 1980s.  Some of his films include Footloose, JFK, A Few Good Men, Apollo 13, Mystic River, Hollow Man, and Taking Chance as well as the television series The Following.  He and his brother, Michael Bacon, make up the musical duo The Bacon Brothers.  Michael Bacon has written songs or the score for a number of films and television shows.

On their website, baconbros.com, you can purchase a copy of their CD, 36 Cents ($20) or a songbook from their album Philadelphia Road-The Best of the Bacon Brothers ($30).  Either item is signed by both of the Bacon Brothers.  I purchased the CD, which was signed on the cover of the fold-out packaging.

Total cost with shipping: $28.50

Peter Cetera

 

Peter Cetera was an original member of the band Chicago, taking lead vocals (and often co-writing) on many of their hits, including "25 or 6 to 4", "If You Leave Me Now", "Baby What a Big Surprise", "Hard to Say I'm Sorry", "Love Me Tomorrow", "Stay the Night", "Hard Habit to Break", "You're the Inspiration", and "Along Comes a Woman", among others.  As a solo artist, he topped the charts with "Glory of Love" from The Karate Kid Part II and "The Next Time I Fall", a duet with Amy Grant.  He is a Grammy winner and a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (with Chicago).

 

On his website, petercetera.com, he offers three different autographed CDs ($25 each).  I purchased the compilation album, The Number Ones, which was signed in gold ink on the cover of the fold-out CD packaging.

 

Total cost with shipping: $29.95



Bill Allen

Bill Allen played Cru Jones in Rad, one of the greatest movies of the 1980s (and of all time as far as I'm concerned).  It is definitely a cult classic.  On his website, myradcareer.com, you can choose from an autographed photo ($20), an autographed Rad t-shirt ($35), or a signed copy of his autobiography ($25).  You can get the book and photo as a pair for $40.  Also available is a poster signed by Allen along with two BMX legends that performed stunts in the movie, Martin Aparijo and Eddie Fiola ($40).

I purchased the book (although now I really wish I had purchased the photo as well).  He signed it on the title page "Stay Rad!  Bill Allen "Cru" #33".

Total cost with shipping: $32.39.

Billy Ocean

 

Billy Ocean is a Grammy-Award winner who hit the charts in the 1980s with "Caribbean Queen", "Suddenly", "When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Get Going", "There'll Be Sad Songs (To Make You Cry)", "Get Outta My Dreams, Get into My Car", "Loverboy", and "Love Zone", among others.  On his website, billyocean.com, he offers a signed copy of his two-disc compilation CD.

 

Total cost with shipping: $21.14.

 



Tommy James

Tommy James sang such classics as “Crimson and Clover”, “Mony Mony”, “I Think We’re Alone Now”, “Crystal Blue Persuasion”, “Sweet Cherry Wine”, and “Draggin’ the Line”.  On his website, tommyjames.com, he offers nine different autographed photos ($10 each) and a signed paperback copy of his autobiography ($20).

 

I ordered a copy of his book, Me, the Mob, and the Music (and read it within a few days—one of the more interesting music biographies/autobiographies I have read).  It was signed “Sincerely, Tommy James” on the blank page at the beginning of the book.

 

Total cost with shipping: $24.98

James Darren

 

James Darren of Gidget, The Time Tunnel, T.J. Hooker, and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine fame (as well as several Top 40 hits in the early 60s) has several signed items for sale on his website, jamesdarren.com.  There is a choice of 10 photos ($20-$25 each).  There are also signed copies of the original shooting scripts of TV shows he either appeared in or directed ($100-$200 each). 

 

One of the more unique items is a signed photo of his appearance as “Jimmy Darrock” on a 1965 episode of The Flintstones. 

 

Total cost with shipping: $28.66

Aileen Quinn

 

We know Aileen Quinn as Little Orphan Annie from the 1982 film, Annie.  These days, she is the lead singer of Aileen Quinn & The Leapin’ Lizards, and they perform regularly in Southern California.  On their website, aileenquinnandtheleapinlizards.com, you can buy their CD, Spin Me, signed by Aileen Quinn.  She also draws a little picture of Annie!

 

Total cost with shipping: $31.62

Charlie Dore

Note: The CD insert is not damaged; those creases are printed on there

 

 

 

Charlie Dore is most known for her 1979/1980 hit single “Pilot of the Airwaves”, one of my favorite songs of the era.  On her website, charliedore.com, she offers five different autographed CDs (10 British Pounds each + another 10 for shipping to the U.S).  These CDs (unsigned) are more expensive on amazon.com, so you might as well get a signed one directly from her website. 

 

I chose her 2014 album Milk and Honey.  She signed the back of the insert, inscribed and dated, with the sentiment “Thank you for your ears”.  She also sent a separate handwritten and signed note thanking me for the order.  There was an ever-so-slight delay in the shipment as they were waiting for more CDs to arrive back in stock, so she personally sent me an email to make me aware of this and to thank me.  The entire experience was such a pleasure, and this is why I love buying direct from the artist! 

 

Total cost with shipping: $31.77 when I ordered mine.  Exchange rates are quite a bit more favorable right now, so it would be around $26 or $27.

Smokey Robinson

On Smokey Robinson’s website smokeyrobinson.com, the legendary artist offers an unusual and awesome assortment of items for purchase.  On the more inexpensive end, there are three different signed photos to choose from ($25 each) or a signed book of poetry written by Robinson ($25).  Also available is a limited edition print ($75).  On the more expensive side, you can choose from two very limited edition photos (#’d to 15) for $400 each (or both for $700).  On the more awesome side of things, you can choose from two different pairs of stage-worn pants from the glorious 1980s ($500 each)!

I will typically choose a signed book or album over a photo, so I went with the signed book of poetry.  The 20-page book has no photos inside—it is simply poetry.  The book was previously only available at a live spoken-word show Robinson performed on September  21 & 22, 2012 at North Hollywood’s El Portal Theatre. 

Total cost with shipping: $30.