T-shirts have long been an important aspect for many bands. They are often the one piece of merchandise outside of the albums/singles that fans own. They serve several functions including: allowing a fan to show their support for the band, raise awareness of the band and raising money for the band as shirts are cheap to produce.

Below are a selection of iconic shirts featuring where possible the cast of Flickr. I do not feature in any of the images ha. I’m aware some shirts aren’t strictly original and are lame-ass re-issues. This also isn’t intended to be a complete list by any means. Just 18 t-shirts that I like a lot and are iconic for various reasons.

Thanks to this flickrer.

The most iconic hip-hop shirt of all time? Thanks to this flickrer.

The Ramones Seal. Thanks to this flickrer.

As often worn by members of Nirvana. Thanks to this flickrer.

Not only an important album cover but it transferred beautifully and iconically to t-shirts as well.

This image has brought new meaning to the word “merch”; literally, there are products never before associated with bands that carry this mark. Thanks to this Flickrer.

Not a band but iconic all the same. Thanks to this Flickrer.

Issued at the time to help promote the album with the same artwork the t-shirt became iconic in its own right.

Thanks to this Flickrer.

The boss has had some pretty sweet t-shirts over the years and his Born In the USA tour is amongst the most iconic. Thanks to this Flickrer.

Last seen being knocked off by Louis Vuitton, seriously. Thanks to this flickrer.

Another Nirvana related t-shirt…Kurt wore this shirt non-stop and the interest Daniel Johnson it caused resulted in him being signed. (Thanks DecimALs.

Constantly being ripped off by Hot topic and Nike and other dumb major retail types.