Metal Fans Buy More Band Shirts
According to a new study from Custom Ink, metal fans spend more money on concert t-shirts over their lifetime than any other genre. They say that the average metal fan spends about $500 on shirts, about a hundred more than any other musical genre. They say that’s around ten shirts or so. And, man, have they risen in price over the years!
This study got me thinking about a few things. First off, I would think that $500 spent over a lifetime on shirts would be the very minimum. I mean, only ten shirts? I know lots of rock fans that have much more than ten shirts in their collection now, let alone over the course of their life.
Secondly, let’s face it, wearing band shirts is kind of part of the culture of metal/rock fans. I’ve been to concerts outside the rock genre, and people are wearing casual wear, or dressing up. Go to any rock show and there are rock band shirts abound. I wish I had a dollar for every rock band shirt I saw at the Metallica shows in November at Ford Field. I could’ve bought round after round all night long. It’s as if it’s a law or rule that that’s what the dress code is.
You’d be surprised to know that I don’t own that many rock shirts myself. Yes, I have a couple of Metallica shirts, maybe some Kid Rock shirts, and an Ozzy shirt or two, but that’s about it. That being said, I bet I’ve owned a hundred over my lifetime in rock. Oh, yes, my black shirt collection is on point in case you were wondering. LOL
Watch any documentary about any rock band and it’s filled with black rock shirts. Over the weekend I watched the Murder In The Front Row doc. Wall-to-wall black shirts. Every band, every fan. It’s like a rite of passage. It’s a must for rock fans.
Put on your favorite band shirt and check out a show soon. In the meantime, take a look at some pictures from the aforementioned Metallica shows below.
The Weekend Wrap Up With Metallica In Detroit
I know this past weekend was going to crush, but it CRUSHED! Metallica at Ford Field was everything I had hoped for and more.
For me, the surprise of the weekend was how much I really enjoyed Pantera. Just to hear Phil Anselmo’s voice yelling out those classic songs was something I’d forgotten about. Just classic! Zakk and the band nailed it! I guess I shouldn’t be surprised as everyone who has seen them play has told me how good they were.
The biggest rush I got was seeing Metallica take the stage for the first time. It’s no secret I’m a huge fan and even use “The Ecstasy Of Gold” intro when I come on the air every day, so seeing that live never gets old. The stage, the way they took it, the banter after on it after half the crowd had piled out, was all original and all Metallica.
My weekend started by interviewing bassist Robert Trujillo for a two-part conversation. That went very well, as I knew it would. Robert’s a solid guy and an awesome player! I guess I was most intrigued to find out how much Motown music played in his early musical formation. You can go to my page to see both conversations.
It was also cool to spend some time with drummer, Charlie Benante. I’d never really met him before, although I’ve been around him. I found him very nice. He’s somewhat quiet, but a pleasure to hang out with and a legit music fan. He really enjoyed the museum.
A huge Thank You goes out to all the WRIF listeners who stopped by my broadcast Friday night to check in with me. It was non-stop, and I appreciate you guys. Even when I wasn’t “working” at the show on Sunday, I was constantly stopped by you guys to say Hello…Thank You! Also, a shout to my friends from The Struggle Within Michigan. Hit them up, follow their socials, and let’s grow this chapter to one of the biggest in the country!
Pictures from Friday’s show can be found here. Sunday’s show can be found here.
Ok, time to rest……just kidding!
Meltdown started on the mighty WRIF on the evening of Halloween, 1995. Technically, his first on-air shift was the morning of November 1st. Moving to the Motor City from Buffalo, N.Y., he has built a career and family. Over his almost three-decade stint at RIFF, he's had the privilege to work with some of the biggest personalities in Detroit radio history. He boasts of being just the second-afternoon drive jock in the station's illustrious 53-year history.
Along with his love for rock music and attending concerts, he's also an avid Harley-Davidson enthusiast and hockey player. He plays year-round and manages to squeeze in a few charity games throughout the year. Meltdown writes about the Detroit Red Wings, rock music, and Detroit concert venues.
