Grateful Dead T-Shirt Sets Record As Most Expensive Vintage Rock Shirt Sold At Auction

Author Erica Banas // Rock Music Reporter

October 20th, 2021 4:59 PM

Grateful Dead helped make history at a recent auction thanks to one of their vintage t-shirts.

Per the San Francisco Chronicle, the yellow Grateful Dead shirt dating back to 1967 sold for $17,640 and “is believed to be among the first shirts mass-produced by the band, although in incredibly limited quantities.”

The outlet also noted, “Designed by Hells Angel and graphic artist Allan “Gut” Terk, the simple yellow tee sold for nearly twice as much as a Led Zeppelin shirt from that band’s 1979 concerts at Knebworth, which previously held the record for selling for $10,000 in an eBay auction in 2011.”

Additionally, a second Dead shirt from the band’s 1977 show at Cornell University sold for $15,120 making it the second highest-selling vintage rock shirt to sell at auction.

Jerry Garcia and 9 Other Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction No-Shows

• Jerry Garcia

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  When the Grateful Dead was inducted in 1994, Garcia apparently wasn’t too fond of the entire concept of the Hall of Fame, which is why he sat out the induction ceremony.  The rest of the band attended. Why is this notorious? The band brought a cardboard cut-out of Garcia to stand in his place. Hilarious!

• Sex Pistols

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  The punk icons refused to attend their induction in 2006 in protest of the exorbitant cost for acts to attend, which can be upwards of tens of thousands of dollars per table.  They did, however, send a note, which contained the intro, "Next to the Sex Pistols, rock and roll and that Hall of Fame is a piss stain." It was read out loud by 'Rolling Stone' founder/Rock Hall Board Member Jann Wenner to the delight of the crowd in attendance.

• Ike & Tina Turner

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  Tina Turner sat out the 1991 induction ceremony because she no longer wanted to be associated with abusive ex-husband, Ike Turner.  This is completely understandable and one of many reasons Tina should be inducted as a solo artist, but that’s another rant for another day.  Ike’s reason for not attending? He was in jail serving a four-year sentence for cocaine possession, which admittedly is a great excuse for not showing up somewhere.
• Grace Slick

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  So, what was Slick’s reason for skipping out on Jefferson Airplane’s induction in 1996?  She said, “All rock and rollers over age 50 look stupid and should retire.”  Whether you agree with her or not, you have to give the woman props for sticking to her words, because Slick has maintained a very low profile for many years now.

• Paul McCartney

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  When The Beatles were inducted into the Rock Hall in 1988, McCartney sat out the induction due some then-ongoing issues around songwriting royalties. In a statement, Macca said, "After 20 years, the Beatles still have some business differences, which I had hoped would have been settled by now. Unfortunately, they haven’t been, so I would feel like a complete hypocrite waving and smiling with them at a fake reunion." Of course, he would go on to attend his own solo induction in 1999 and induct John Lennon in 1994 and Ringo Starr in 2015 for their solo work.

• Three out of Five Members of Van Halen

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  This one was just a hot mess! Van Halen was part of the Rock Hall’s 2007 class, and around that time there was a whole slew of drama going on in the band. (Surprise!) For starters, David Lee Roth was back in, but Michael Anthony was kicked out and replaced with Eddie Van Halen’s then 15-year-old son, Wolfgang. Oh, and Eddie needed to go to rehab. Once the dust settled, all who showed up to the ceremony were Anthony and Sammy Hagar.
• Roger Waters

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  Pink Floyd were part of the 1996 induction class, but there were still major tensions in the band due to a 1986 lawsuit in which Waters lost against David Gilmour and Nick Mason over the use of their band name. The band would eventually reunite in 2005 for the Live 8 benefit concert.

• Rod Stewart

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  Rod Stewart is a two-time Rock Hall inductee, but he's missed both of his inductions. When he was inducted for his solo work in 1994, he opted to stay home with his children due to a major earthquake that hit Los Angles where they lived. When he was inducted as part of the Faces in 2012, he was planning on attending and performing with the band but the contracted strep-throat and couldn't speak. Apparently, some guys don't have all the luck.

• Axl Rose

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  Guns N' Roses were part of the 2012 induction class, but Axl wanted no part. In a statement shortly before the ceremony, Rose said, "I strongly request that I not be inducted in absentia and please know that no one is authorized nor my anyone be permitted to accept any induction for me or speak on my behalf. Neither former members, label representatives nor the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame should imply whether directly, indirectly or by omission that I am included in any purported induction of 'Guns N' Roses.'" Considering the crazy success of the GN'R's "Not In This Lifetime" reunion tour, this statement has aged awkwardly.
• David Bowie

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  Leave it to David Bowie give the Rock Hall the coldest of shoulders and perhaps lay the groundwork for ghosting. Bowie was announced as part of the 1996 induction class, however, he was touring in Europe during the time of the ceremony. The strangest thing though was that he never released a statement about the induction or even acknowledged its existence. Cold blooded or badass? You decide!

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Author Erica Banas // Rock Music Reporter

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Grateful Dead