Defunkd

[Next-Cauliflower-903]

Front:
The Who - Maximum R&B

Back:
The Who in Concert
Farewell Tour 1982
Pontiac Silverdome
September 30
Special Guests: The Clash

What I'm trying to determine is:

1. Has anyone seen this exact front/back combination before?

2. Was this sold specifically at the Pontiac Silverdome show on September 30, 1982, or was it part of the general Farewell Tour merchandise?

3. Does this appear to be official merchandise or fake?

4. Are any other examples known to exist?

I've searched extensively online and have found several 1982 Farewell Tour shirts, but I have not found another example with this exact Pontiac Silverdome / The Clash back print.

Any information, memories, references would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you!

[jimmyj]

Front:
The Who - Maximum R&B

Back:
The Who in Concert
Farewell Tour 1982
Pontiac Silverdome
September 30
Special Guests: The Clash

What I'm trying to determine is:

1. Has anyone seen this exact front/back combination before?

2. Was this sold specifically at the Pontiac Silverdome show on September 30, 1982, or was it part of the general Farewell Tour merchandise?

3. Does this appear to be official merchandise or fake?

4. Are any other examples known to exist?

I've searched extensively online and have found several 1982 Farewell Tour shirts, but I have not found another example with this exact Pontiac Silverdome / The Clash back print.

Any information, memories, references would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you!

Great one, wait do you own this? or you're looking for it?

[Next-Cauliflower-903]

Hi Jimmy J,
Thanks for your reply!!

I actually own it. I purchased it from a vintage clothing buyer some time ago and have been trying to learn more about its history. I haven't been able to find another example with the same design online, so I was curious if anyone here has seen one before.

Any information would be greatly appreciated.

[Next-Cauliflower-903]

Has anyone ever seen another one like this?

I’d really like to learn more about how rare or significant this piece may be. Personally, I think this is an incredible example with a truly outstanding design.

What do you all think? Any information or opinions would be greatly appreciated.

[jimmyj]

Has anyone ever seen another one like this?

I’d really like to learn more about how rare or significant this piece may be. Personally, I think this is an incredible example with a truly outstanding design.

What do you all think? Any information or opinions would be greatly appreciated.

I can't remember seeing it before, and I can't find another example. But sometimes that doesn't equate to $.

The grammar error and overall look might indicate a bootleg.

What's the tag btw?

The problem with these tees is that they are so small, and the 70s and 80s era is no longer in a nostalgic sweetspot, it's the 90s and early 2000s now.

[Next-Cauliflower-903]

Thanks for the reply. I really appreciate being able to exchange opinions with someone who knows vintage T-shirts so well.

You’re right about the size. This one is a medium, so the number of people who can actually wear it is limited. I can’t fit into it myself anymore, and since today’s preference is generally for XL and oversized shirts, I think the number of collectors who would value a shirt in this size is also limited.

That said, I personally think this shirt looks incredibly cool when paired with a pair of vintage Levi’s 501XX jeans and leather boots. To me, it has a distinctive late-’70s or early-’80s look that a modern oversized shirt simply can’t reproduce. Regardless of the current trend, I still see real appeal in this kind of silhouette and styling.

As for the tag, it’s quite faded and blurry on my shirt. However, I found another shirt that was reportedly sold during The Who’s 1982 Farewell Tour, and it has a Fantasy tag that appears to match mine. I can also faintly make out what appears to be an RN number on my tag.

Based on those details, I personally think it is more likely to be an authentic period shirt than a bootleg. What do you think after seeing the tag comparison?

[jimmyj]

If it's a Fantasy tag - or any other made in Pakistan tag, it's is 100% a bootleg.

https://www.defunkd.com/pakistan-blanks/

[Next-Cauliflower-903]

Thanks for your reply and for sharing your knowledge. I really appreciate it.

I learned something new from your comment. I didn't realize that Fantasy tags, especially the Pakistan-made ones, were so commonly associated with 1980s bootlegs, and thank you for sharing samples.

My tag is extremely faded. I can make out what appears to be "Super Fantasy," but I can't read any "Made in Pakistan" wording on it. It may simply be too worn to tell, so I can't draw any conclusions from the tag alone.

Another detail I probably should have mentioned earlier is the provenance. The previous owner of this shirt was a Hollywood special effects artist who worked on movie films. During his career, he also toured with artists including Alice Cooper, Stevie Nicks, and Black Sabbath, and spent many years building a large collection of vintage rock tour shirts.

Of course, provenance alone doesn't prove authenticity. Still, together with everything I've learned here, I think this shirt was more likely a contemporary, unofficial tour shirt than a modern fake.

Thanks again for taking the time to comment.
I really appreciate it.

[jimmyj]

Thanks for your reply and for sharing your knowledge. I really appreciate it.

I learned something new from your comment. I didn't realize that Fantasy tags, especially the Pakistan-made ones, were so commonly associated with 1980s bootlegs, and thank you for sharing samples.

My tag is extremely faded. I can make out what appears to be "Super Fantasy," but I can't read any "Made in Pakistan" wording on it. It may simply be too worn to tell, so I can't draw any conclusions from the tag alone.

Another detail I probably should have mentioned earlier is the provenance. The previous owner of this shirt was a Hollywood special effects artist who worked on movie films. During his career, he also toured with artists including Alice Cooper, Stevie Nicks, and Black Sabbath, and spent many years building a large collection of vintage rock tour shirts.

Of course, provenance alone doesn't prove authenticity. Still, together with everything I've learned here, I think this shirt was more likely a contemporary, unofficial tour shirt than a modern fake.

Thanks again for taking the time to comment.
I really appreciate it.

Is one of the tags in the photo above from your tee?

Super Fantasy was also a Fantasy tag, just a brand extension. Maybe in this case because it's a jersey tee, it has "super"

https://www.defunkd.com/brand/super-fantasy/

These bootlegs were often confiscated at venues and touring staff would end up with them.

That said, 1980s bootleg or 1980s legit, mostly no difference to value. If it were a standard fantasy t-shirt, which are really poor quality material, I would say it would make a difference but your jersey looks like it's maintained it's shape.

[Next-Cauliflower-903]

Yes, the tag in the photo above is from my raglan shirt.

Thank you for explaining that Super Fantasy was an extension of the Fantasy brand. Your suggestion that the “Super” name may have been used because this is more of a jersey-style shirt is very interesting.

The fabric feels softer and slightly stretchier than a typical cotton T-shirt, and it has maintained its shape quite well, as you mentioned.

As I often wear made-in-USA vintage clothing, I believe this raglan shirt is genuinely from the 1980s.

My original reason for posting was to find someone who might own the same design and to learn more about the shirt's history. Through the discussion, I have come to understand that it may be more likely to have been an unofficial period shirt rather than an officially licensed item. I am glad to learn that, in some cases, an authentic 1980s bootleg may not differ greatly in value from an officially licensed shirt.

The information about bootlegs being confiscated at venues and sometimes ending up with touring staff is also especially interesting, considering the background of the previous owner.

Thank you again for sharing your knowledge. I really appreciate your insight.