EXHIBIT 5.1



                                 (612) 904-5607
                                   Direct Dial


                                  June 5, 1997


Securities and Exchange Commission
Judiciary Plaza
450 Fifth Street NW
Washington, D.C.  20549

         Re:      K-tel International, Inc.
                  Form S-8 Registration Statement (the "Registration Statement")
                  for K-tel International, Inc. 1994 Nonqualified Stock Option
                  Agreements, 1996 Nonqualified Stock Option Agreements, and
                  1997 Nonqualified Stock Option Agreement

Ladies and Gentlemen:

         This opinion is furnished in connection with the Registration Statement
on Form S-8 (the "Registration Statement") filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission by K-tel International, Inc. (the "Company") covering shares
of Common Stock, par value $.01 (the "Common Stock"), reserved for issuance
under K-tel International, Inc. 1994 Nonqualified Stock Option Agreements, the
1996 Nonqualified Stock Option Agreements, and the 1997 Nonqualified Stock
Option Agreements (collectively the "Plan").

         We have acted as counsel to the Company and, as such, have examined the
Company's Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws and such other corporate records and
documents as we have considered relevant and necessary for the purpose of this
opinion. We have participated in the preparation and filing of the Registration
Statement. We are familiar with the proceedings taken by the Company with
respect to the authorization and proposed issuance of shares of Common Stock
pursuant to the Plan as contemplated by the Registration Statement.

         Based on the foregoing, we are of the opinion that:

         1. The Company has been duly incorporated and is validly existing and
in good standing under the laws of the State of Minnesota.




June 6, 1997
Page 8

         2. The Company has corporate authority to issue the shares of Common
Stock covered by the Registration Statement.

         3. The 442,500 shares of Common Stock proposed to be issued under the
Plan described in the Registration Statement will, when sold and paid for, be
duly and validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

         We hereby consent to the reference to our firm in the Registration
Statement.

                                      Sincerely,

                                      KAPLAN, STRANGIS AND KAPLAN, P.A.



                                      By /s/Bruce J. Parker
                                         Bruce J. Parker