EXHIBIT 5.1



                   Opinion of Kaplan, Strangis, and Kaplan, P.A.




                                    March 15, 1999



Securities and Exchange Commission
Judiciary Plaza
450 Fifth Street NW
Washington, DC  20549

     Re:  K-tel International, Inc.
          Form S-8 Registration Statement (the "Registration Statement") for
          K-tel International, Inc. 1997 Stock Option Plan, As Amended, 1998
          Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement, and 1999 Non-Qualified Stock
          Option Agreements

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. 1997 Stock Option Plan, As Amended, the 1998
Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement and the 1999 Non-Qualified 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.

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




Securities and Exchange Commission
Page Two




     3.   The 1,813,000 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