Iconic Dead

It seems strange this 1986 Grateful Dead Tour shirt would be as rare as it is considering how often The Grateful Dead played live in the early to mid-eighties. The only thing I can figure is that it wasn't considered "cool" by the Dead Heads to buy the mass produced concert tees.

What makes this more than just another rare concert t-shirt is the artist who created the iconic image. None other than the much loved and ultra-talented Rick Griffin. For those of you who might not know Griffin was one of the original psychedelic artists responsible for some of the most well know rock posters of the sixties. 

Rick Griffin's amazing art -1986 Grateful Dead Tour Shirt

The original artwork on paper.

The artist (RIP) - 70's

Credit: www.rickgriffinink.com

1970 Movie poster for "Pacific Vibrations"

Don't Die of Ignorance!

Sham 69 - First American Tour 1988

Probably one of the rarest in my personal collection. Like the 1986 Lords tee, I've never seen another one of these anywhere, ever. Granted by 1988 the Sham 69 line-up had changed and the early days of punk were long gone, this still remains a very rare and collectible tee. I picked it up a few years ago for a buck at a thrift store. One of those "No way!!!" moments that only come around maybe once or twice a year, if that. It was originally white but obviously 21 years ago the owner didn't think twice about a little tie-dye action. What a shame. Thankfully it was done in a cool gray and not a bad dye job at that. Can you imagine if it was some horrendous multi-color monstrosity? If it had been I might have left it hanging on the rack, instead this gem is tucked away in the collection safe and sound for another 20 years.

Brief Sham 69 history

Credit: www.punk77.co.uk :

Sham 69 were quite simply one of THE top punk bands of the late seventies. Led by the charismatic and irrepressible Jimmy Pursey they produced a stream of catchy, populist, short and sweet punk tunes including 'If The Kids Are United', 'Hurry Up Harry' and 'Angels With Dirty Faces' that made the British charts.

What makes Sham 69 even more interesting though is their arrival on the scene when Punk began to move from the more elitist fashion driven art scene to a rougher, more working class ethic. While some original faces on the scene perceived this as a dumbing down, others saw it as a breath of fresh air on a moribund scene. Add in a skinhead revival, frequent violence at their gigs and the Sham 69 one is a fascinating story.

But above all Sham 69 were a fantastic, full on punk band with great tunes, a top singer and a dynamic live act. 

Black Cat Bones

1970 Free - Fire and Water

Picked up this gem this afternoon for a steal. NM condition.

Classic.

Paul Kossoff's guitar work is sublime.

Paul Kossoff - R.I.P. (gone at the age of 25)