Concert tees are more than just a t-shirt. For a fan, it might be a personality statement, while a collector may prize the new addition to their collection. But, what makes a concert t-shirt valuable? There are three ingredients to what really drives a tour shirt’s value beyond age, authenticity, and condition. They are:
- A limited-run concert shirt (promotional and not mass-produced).
- A specific historic tour that the band was/is on.
- A newsworthy event while on tour, or an event in the legacy of the band related to that tour.
Whether you enjoy wearing concert tees or displaying them in your house, these are five rare concert tees worth thousands of dollars.
5. Nirvana (1993), $7,000
This crew members-only t-shirt from the 93 Nirvana Utero Tour is worth $7,000. The shirt has the tour name, the band name, and an angel gilded in gold on the front. The album In Utero was originally titled I Hate Myself and Want to Die before Cobain changed it and it only took 14 days to record all of the songs.
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4. Led Zeppelin (1979), $7,500
Led Zepplin t-shirts are big business, with fans often spending a fortune to get their hands on specific merch. This 1979 Knebworth Park concert tee which doubled as a backstage pass is worth around $7,500.
3. The Rolling Stones (1976), $9,000
This promo t-shirt was originally given exclusively to family, friends, and crew members back during The Rolling Stones Knebworth Park, UK, show. Today, the rare concert tee is worth $9,000. There are some alternative versions of the shirt with smaller graphics that still earn between $900-$1,000 each.
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2. Run D.M.C. (1980s), $13,000
This promo t-shirt from an 80s show is worth a staggering $13,000. The combo of Adidas and rap legends Run D.M.C creates a potent mix, with bright red and black text announcing both the brand and the band’s names on each t-shirt.
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1. The Beatles (1970s), $20,000
Artwork from The Beatles‘ 1966 Yesterday and Today album was controversial because it showed the Fab Four covered in dismembered dolls and bloody meat. The vinyl record is worth a ridiculous amount today and this concert t-shirt with the same art is worth $20,000. Although, this tee was also apparently a gift from John Lennon (hence the whopping price).
