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VINTAGE ROCK T-SHIRT SHOTS | SOMETIMES A TEE SAYS IT BETTER

October 20, 2009

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Like I said, let the t-shirts do the talkin–

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Roadie wearing  tank top that states-- NO BACKSTAGE PASSES.

Roadie wearing tank top that states-- NO BACKSTAGE PASSES, ca. 1970.

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Frank Zappa thinks Warner Bros. Sucks, ca. 1979.

Frank Zappa thinks Warner Bros. Sucks! ca. 1979.

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Rolling Stones concert t-shirtPN011605

IF YOU CAN’T ROCK ME… THE ROLLING STONES WILL.

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Keith Richards asks, "Who the Fuck is Mick Jegger?"

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Canadian Rolling Stones fans, ca. 1979.

Canadian Rolling Stones fans, ca. 1979.

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Circa 1979-- "Free Keith" t-shirt, in reference to Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards.

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Ronnie Van Zant with the "key to the city", given to him by the mayor of Jacksonville, hanging around his neck. Ronnie's t-shirt is even more notable--  Who the F*ck are the Rolling Stones anyway?  It was 32 years ago that six lives were claimed in that tragic plane crash--  Ronnie Van Zant, Steve Gaines, Cassie Gaines, assistant road manager Dean Kilpatrick, pilot Walter McCreary and co-pilot William Gray.  May you all rest in peace.

Ronnie Van Zant with the 'key to the city' given to him by the Mayor of Jacksonville seen hanging around his neck, ca. 1970s. Ronnie's t-shirt is even more notable-- Who the F*ck are the Rolling Stones anyway? It was 32 years ago that six lives were claimed in that tragic plane crash-- Ronnie Van Zant, Steve Gaines, Cassie Gaines, assistant road manager Dean Kilpatrick, pilot Walter McCreary and co-pilot William Gray. May you all rest in peace.

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NO NUKESNO NUKES TEE SHIRT

NO NUKES, ca. 1979.

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Hank William Jr. (Bochepus), ca. 1979  "IF YOU AIN'T COUNTRY, YOU AIN'T SH*T"

Hank William Jr. (Bocephus), ca. 1979 "IF YOU AIN'T A COWBOY, YOU AIN'T SH*T!"

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Bill Graham, ca. 1982-- "I SURVIVED"

Bill Graham, ca. 1982-- "I SURVIVED"

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Ted NugentGlenn Frey

CAN TED NUGENT SURVIVE IN A JOHN DENVER WORLD?

The Eagles’ Glenn Frey with Chuck Berry on his tee, and a Playboy on his knee.

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The Grateful Dead-- Bill Kreutzman, Jerry Garcia, Mickey Hart ("God is Sound" T-shirt), Phil Lesh, Bob Weir, and Brent Mydland.

The Grateful Dead's Mickey Hart-- "God is Sound"

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Deadhead Cannabis T-shirt.

Deadhead Cannabis T-shirt.

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17 Comments
  1. October 20, 2009 12:40 pm

    You know I love this site, but this is my favorite post ever. So good. “Who The Fuck’s TSY?”

    • October 20, 2009 1:20 pm

      Ha.

      Alright Nick, you got a laugh outta me with that last line. It might be a keeper… a t-shirt for sure, at the very least. You’re a witty one, you are.

      Knowing your love of tees, I thought about you when I posted this late last night… hold on, this is starting to sound a little creepy, man…

      Anyway, glad you like it, bra.

      Rock on.

      JP

  2. Brad permalink
    October 20, 2009 11:09 pm

    Another great post on a great blog!

    Just a question about the Hank Jr. shirt: So if you are a cowboy, you are shit?

    • October 21, 2009 1:03 pm

      Hmm. I think Phat is the new shit, so yes.

      JP

  3. October 21, 2009 3:22 pm

    Bands these days don’t even know what’s up!

  4. October 21, 2009 3:36 pm

    The coolest thing about some of the old tees is that a lot of them are a personal expression, not cookie-cutter sterile commodities like most today. The ‘WTF IS MICK JAGGER’ tee, and the like, were hand done. Remember those days? I remember buying the letters and ironing away at home as a teen — there was creativity and individuality going on. Then came the artists who would custom air brush tees at the mall — whatever you wanted, bring in a picture or choose from their books. That was mind-blowing stuff back in the day…

    • October 21, 2009 3:40 pm

      …deep thought coming up, brace yourself.

      Back then ironing something witty (like WTF IS MICK JAGGER?) on your tee was kinda like the original twitter, man.

      Whoa.

    • Kathryn Sherman permalink
      August 30, 2010 12:59 pm

      so true. those were, indeed, the days we miss today. We still silkscreen T-shirts in garages down here in Tampa. Sometimes you just need one great shirt, or two or three… really love these comments too… what a sunny walk down memory lane. :)

  5. October 24, 2009 4:30 am

    JP, Stellar site, man.

  6. October 24, 2009 10:36 am

    Fucking brilliant…I love all of these pictures. The “I survived” dude is pretty great. I’m a first time visitor to your blog, your a great writer! I’m sure I’ll be back to learn more about cars :)

  7. October 24, 2009 8:02 pm

    i want to remake so many, so great.

  8. November 12, 2009 3:40 pm

    holy shit. i have that No Nukes shirt (the one the girls wearing) I found it at the thriftstore. I was wondering if it was real or not.. now I know. I also just found an old WHO t-shirt with an Indian face on it and the date 1976. I have no clue about that one. Thanks for the post. love your blog… so rad

  9. November 13, 2009 11:47 am

    http://skinnyglassesgirl.blogspot.com/2009/11/daily-heart-on_13.html here’s a link to the shirt..

  10. Leo permalink
    April 5, 2010 11:10 am

    Who took the No Backstage Passes and Canadian Stones Fans pics?

  11. MG Wakeman permalink
    September 5, 2010 10:00 pm

    so many of those guys sucummed to at least one of the “3 H’s”
    harleys, helicopters, heroin to sad!

    great shirt pics btw! brings back lots of memories

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