Friday, May 17, 2013

Music T-Shirts, Rock and Roll and Concerts Share a History

Graphic T-shirts and rock and roll grew up and came of age together. Once radical and rebellious, they're now nearly Universal, spanning all age groups and lifestyles. The t-shirt has evolved from being an "undergarment" into the concept of wearable art, and is now, unquestionably, an integral part of the rock-and-roll community. Each concert tour and album release has it's own design to commemorate it, sometimes several versions, usually with art on the front and the tour dates listed on the back. Part of the thrill of the show is coming home with the coolest new T-shirt. It's been a familiar part of our world for as long as I can remember.

But, until the 1950s, t-shirts were considered underwear and to wear them in public was unthinkable. Then along came icons like John Wayne and James Dean who wore them on television and they became a symbol of "cool".

Sometime in the 1950s, some resort companies in Florida started decorating t-shirts with hotel names and characters; including one of the original licensees, the Disney company, and this new T-shirt art industry was up and running.


The technology continued to develop, and soon the introduction of screen printing in the 1960s lead the way to mass production.

Oklahoma ~ Visit Will Rogers Hotel T-shirtsOklahoma ~ Visit Will Rogers Hotel T-shirts

Retro Vintage Kitsch LA Union Station Fred Harvey T ShirtRetro Vintage Kitsch LA Union Station Fred Harvey T Shirt


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Screen printing allowed a design with many different colors to be mass printed easily and screen printed t-shirts became a fashion staple in the late 1960s, particularly with sports enthusiasts and rock & roll fans.

This technology opened up an entirely new way for bands to market themselves, through the mass production of clothing with their original cover art, logos, band photos and slogans.

One of the first mass producers of rock and roll t-shirts was the Monster T-Shirt Company, formed in the 1960s. The demand for blank t-shirts skyrocketed and companies like Fruit of the Loom (then known as Union Underwear) also profited mightily from this new association between rock and roll music and wearable art.

Alexander's Ragtime Band Vintage Songbook Cover T ShirtAlexander's Ragtime Band Vintage Songbook Cover T Shirt

Vintage Vinyl Rules T-shirtsVintage Vinyl Rules T-shirts


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At first these shirts were only sold at concerts and on world tours for a fixed price, and would be worn afterward both as a reminder of how much fun was had at the show and as a badge of proof that one had been there. Of course, once it became apparent how much profit was available to be made, bootlegged shirts began turning up everywhere. This lead to an ambiguous conflict quite similar to what musicians are facing today with the easy availability of downloads and music sharing and the ongoing debate over whether new musicians benefit more from giving their music away so that it reaches more people or by trying to sell albums. The bands didn't make money off these bootlegged shirts, but they got a lot of free advertising out of them because everyone wearing one became a walking billboard with their band name on it. You can’t buy publicity like that! Wearing a shirt with a band’s name and artwork on it is a personal endorsement of the band and its music, which carries far more social authority than any paid advertisement.

Vintage Guitar and Microphone Design Tee ShirtsVintage Guitar and Microphone Design Tee Shirts

Jukebox Old Rocker T ShirtJukebox Old Rocker T Shirt


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Most established bands today are well aware of this time-honored tradition and the promotional benefits it offers. What younger, less experienced artists may not realize is the tremendous advantage they have in the availability of print on demand services like Zazzle, Cafe Press and Red Bubble. It's no longer necessary to put out a lot of money up front to carry inventory, although it's always a good idea to have some extra swag on hand. But shirts can be ordered as you need them, and fans can be directed to a website where you can offer them a much larger selection of designs than previously and they can order their favorite design in the color and size of their choice without the band having to put up money ahead of time. If you pay attention to when things go on sale you can keep the band members decked out inexpensively, and they can wear shirts to the shows and tell everyone in the audience how to get theirs. Be sure and make up cards to hand out and include your website address, as well as the address of your shop, if it's different.

Never Mind the Bollocks - Grunge Tshirts
Never Mind the Bollocks - Grunge Tshirts by sexpistols
Browse Sex pistols T-Shirts online at Zazzle.com

It's so easy to have a free store on Zazzle there's no need to put a lot of time and coding effort into building another one, unless you like building websites.

So if any new bands out there haven't realized how easy it is now to have their own shirts and shops, drop me a line and I'll show you how to set up your own band T-shirt and souvenir shop for free in just an hour or so. Don't ignore this promotional opportunity or even put it off. It's too easy and too important a part of getting your band's name out there. Besides, it's fun!

If you're thinking about creating t-shirts for your band, are looking for a Father's Day gift, or just like collecting cool ones, this is a great time. Most t-shirts are on sale for 20% off all this weekend on Zazzle, along with electronics cases and posters. Use the code: CASETEEPOSTR at checkout to apply the discount.

And here's another batch of the latest and greatest music tees from the artists at Zazzle. You can find thousands more like this, as well as many other music themed products all ready to customize, at our shop Gifts for Musicians, so please stop by and check us out.
















Guitar on Fire ROCK T-Shirt
Guitar on Fire ROCK T-Shirt by UROCKDezineZone
Design your own photo t shirts online at Zazzle.


Earth_Music Tee ShirtsEarth_Music Tee Shirts

Winged Guitars Born To Rock shirtWinged Guitars Born To Rock shirt

irish harlem shake funny st patricks tshirtirish harlem shake funny st patricks tshirt

Plug Into The Universe TeePlug Into The Universe Tee

Shamrock and Roll TshirtsShamrock and Roll Tshirts

Magically Delicious! Irish Music Heart Clef TeeMagically Delicious! Irish Music Heart Clef Tee

Music EQ (Mixed Colors) T-shirtMusic EQ (Mixed Colors) T-shirt

DJ custom shirt - choose style & colorDJ custom shirt - choose style & color

Guitar Pick With Effect Pedal Delay Hippy Purple TshirtGuitar Pick With Effect Pedal Delay Hippy Purple Tshirt

Sound Line - Adult Woman T-ShirtSound Line - Adult Woman T-Shirt

Bagpipes St Patrick's Day Party Fun Celtic Music TeesBagpipes St Patrick's Day Party Fun Celtic Music Tees

"Despite Everything, Music Endures" T-shirt

broken vinyl tshirtsbroken vinyl tshirts

Acoustic Guitar T-shirtAcoustic Guitar T-shirt

Diamond and Gold Musical Note Tee ShirtDiamond and Gold Musical Note Tee Shirt

Trance music t shirtTrance music t shirt

cool just sing tee shirtcool just sing tee shirt

cool stereo tshirtcool stereo tshirt

Beautiful acoustic guitar music note shirtsBeautiful acoustic guitar music note shirts

Salsa Charming C Tee ShirtsSalsa Charming C Tee Shirts

Peace Drums Tee ShirtPeace Drums Tee Shirt

Vintage Guitar and Microphone Design T ShirtVintage Guitar and Microphone Design T Shirt

French Horn Players Kick Brass TshirtFrench Horn Players Kick Brass Tshirt

Kiss My Brass, Tuba TshirtKiss My Brass, Tuba Tshirt

Washboard Records Tee ShirtsWashboard Records Tee Shirts

Marching Band Pianissimo Tee ShirtsMarching Band Pianissimo Tee Shirts

bust red lyre violin sheet music design.png shirtbust red lyre violin sheet music design.png shirt

Guitar ShirtGuitar Shirt

Funky Town T-shirtsFunky Town T-shirts

Vintage Guitar and Microphone Design Tee ShirtsVintage Guitar and Microphone Design Tee Shirts

Circle Of Fifths - Vintage Guitar TeesCircle Of Fifths - Vintage Guitar Tees

Cool Retro Singer Dancer on Silver Disco Ball T-shirtCool Retro Singer Dancer on Silver Disco Ball T-shirt

Vintage Musical Rainbow, Man Woman Dancing T ShirtsVintage Musical Rainbow, Man Woman Dancing T Shirts

SONY / ATV Burning Love TshirtSONY / ATV Burning Love Tshirt

Silver Microphone Silhouette Dancers Template T-shirtSilver Microphone Silhouette Dancers Template T-shirt

Mike Microphone Speakers Audio Music Template TshirtsMike Microphone Speakers Audio Music Template Tshirts


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Jazz Music Lover ~ I Heart Jazz Saxophone ShirtJazz Music Lover ~ I Heart Jazz Saxophone Shirt

Vintage Electric Guitar and Vinyl Record T ShirtsVintage Electric Guitar and Vinyl Record T Shirts

Classic Guitar Amp Control Panel shirtClassic Guitar Amp Control Panel shirt

Vintage Bass Amp Control Panel shirtVintage Bass Amp Control Panel shirt

As Long As It's The Blues T ShirtsAs Long As It's The Blues T Shirts

One And Three T ShirtOne And Three T Shirt

Three Music Rocks TshirtThree Music Rocks Tshirt

Treble Maker T-shirtsTreble Maker T-shirts

The Guitar Player and the Violinist Vintage ShirtsThe Guitar Player and the Violinist Vintage Shirts

Piano keyboard t-shirtPiano keyboard t-shirt

Eadgbe Grungy ShirtEadgbe Grungy Shirt

Eadgbe Grungy TshirtEadgbe Grungy Tshirt

Piano Keys Music Notes Grunge Floral Swirls Tee ShirtPiano Keys Music Notes Grunge Floral Swirls Tee Shirt

Wanted Xylophone T ShirtWanted Xylophone T Shirt

Jazz Play Boy T ShirtsJazz Play Boy T Shirts

Hear the Music III ShirtHear the Music III Shirt

Dark hands guitar layered red image t shirtDark hands guitar layered red image t shirt

Swing TshirtsSwing Tshirts

Don't Fret Play Fiddle Violin Gift ShirtsDon't Fret Play Fiddle Violin Gift Shirts

Electric Rock Music in Red and Gold ShirtsElectric Rock Music in Red and Gold Shirts

I Am Violin_ ShirtsI Am Violin_ Shirts

Violin,Lover at Heart_ ShirtsViolin,Lover at Heart_ Shirts

Everything Amplified: Jon Stewart quote TshirtsEverything Amplified: Jon Stewart quote Tshirts

Trumpet T-shirtTrumpet T-shirt

Sleek Music Note Tee ShirtsSleek Music Note Tee Shirts

Peace, Love, Bluegrass Tee ShirtsPeace, Love, Bluegrass Tee Shirts

Vital Sounds Trombone Tee ShirtsVital Sounds Trombone Tee Shirts

Vital Sounds Trumpet TshirtsVital Sounds Trumpet Tshirts

Cat Drummer Tee ShirtsCat Drummer Tee Shirts

Electric Tie-Dye Rainbow Music Guitar Magic ShirtsElectric Tie-Dye Rainbow Music Guitar Magic Shirts


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Jazz music is nothing to be afraid of. t shirtJazz music is nothing to be afraid of. t shirt

Retro New Orleans Jazz Tee ShirtsRetro New Orleans Jazz Tee Shirts

Sax is a beautiful thing! t-shirtsSax is a beautiful thing! t-shirts

Jazz Cats Men's T-ShirtJazz Cats Men's T-Shirt

I Love Sax T Shirt, Red on AshI Love Sax T Shirt, Red on Ash

SAX TSHIRTSAX TSHIRT

All my life needs is background music tshirtsAll my life needs is background music tshirts

Rock n' Roll Stew T-ShirtRock n' Roll Stew T-Shirt

I Wanna Jazz It Up All Night shirtI Wanna Jazz It Up All Night shirt

Plays Well With Others T-shirtPlays Well With Others T-shirt

Girls Rock TshirtsGirls Rock Tshirts

Rock Guitar Symbol Tee ShirtRock Guitar Symbol Tee Shirt

Guitar and Chord 07 T ShirtGuitar and Chord 07 T Shirt

Kid's Rock Star TeeKid's Rock Star Tee

LOVEROCK TEE SHIRTLOVEROCK TEE SHIRT

Keep Rockin'! TshirtKeep Rockin'! Tshirt

Gothic Punks Not Dead with Skull and Union Jack T-shirtsGothic Punks Not Dead with Skull and Union Jack T-shirts

Dragon Drum 05 TshirtDragon Drum 05 Tshirt

Rock Snail TshirtRock Snail Tshirt

Rocker ShirtRocker Shirt

Rock On Rock Forever T-shirtRock On Rock Forever T-shirt

guitor_abstract-1600x1200 HOT FIRE GUITAR FLAMES B T Shirtguitor_abstract-1600x1200 HOT FIRE GUITAR FLAMES B T Shirt

Snake aco 02 shirtsSnake aco 02 shirts

ROCKIN GOOD TIME(humor) TeesROCKIN GOOD TIME(humor) Tees

rock on t-shirtrock on t-shirt

love music t shirtlove music t shirt

T-shirt with 4 guitars & Decisions, Decisions...T-shirt with 4 guitars & Decisions, Decisions...

Snake aco 01 tshirtsSnake aco 01 tshirts

Dragon Drum 02 TshirtsDragon Drum 02 Tshirts

Dead Bed Roses ShirtDead Bed Roses Shirt

Flamenco Guitar ShirtFlamenco Guitar Shirt

Rockabilly Chick T ShirtsRockabilly Chick T Shirts

folk rock girl reflections t-shirtfolk rock girl reflections t-shirt

Rock n roll girl T-shirtRock n roll girl T-shirt

ROCK ON shirt - choose style & colorROCK ON shirt - choose style & color

Turnip Da Bass T-shirtTurnip Da Bass T-shirt

Double electric guitar 6 strings blue tshirtDouble electric guitar 6 strings blue tshirt

Skapunk vs Poppunk Girls T ShirtSkapunk vs Poppunk Girls T Shirt

Music T ShirtMusic T Shirt

Tropical Rock T-ShirtTropical Rock T-Shirt

Jazz decoration tshirtJazz decoration tshirt

Dance to the Music teeDance to the Music tee

Dance to the Music teeDance to the Music tee

Double acoustic guitar natural color t-shirtsDouble acoustic guitar natural color t-shirts

Music Shirt Music Shirt " Jazz " - musician with saxophone

Detroit Rock City TshirtDetroit Rock City Tshirt

Lost In The Music Beat Tee ShirtLost In The Music Beat Tee Shirt

Dance Terminology tshirtDance Terminology tshirt

Music is Self Expression Guitar Tee ShirtsMusic is Self Expression Guitar Tee Shirts

Weekday Blues! TshirtWeekday Blues! Tshirt

Split Personality Guitar (no tail) T ShirtsSplit Personality Guitar (no tail) T Shirts

Dragon original 10 teesDragon original 10 tees


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Come visit us at our shop Gifts for Musicians for thousands of customizable music themed clothing and gifts.