Black Sabbath have a UK #1 on their hands.
The Belfast Telegraph reports UK retailer HMV has compiled a list of its best-selling classic rock shirts, with Sabbath coming in at number one, while Led Zeppelin take the second and third spots.
Sabbath’s US tour shirt from 1978 landed at #1 following a sales surge after it was worn by Robert Downey, Jr. - who plays Iron Man's alter ego Tony Stark - in the hit movie “Avengers Assemble” (order it here.)
"More often than not, rock T-shirts used to be something you'd wear to gigs to see your favourite bands, but over time demand has broadened and they've since become a bit of a fashion-statement in their own right,” said HMV’s Gennaro Castaldo. “Some performers can quickly come and go with the trends, but one genre that has an enduring appeal and seems to remain eternally popular with fans is classic rock and metal."
"This year over half the top 30 best-selling T-shirts at HMV were made up of vintage artists and, even though many of them have not been active with new material, they continue to sell in large quantities as many of these acts are revered, and with that comes a level of cool-ness and style that money or promotion can't always buy,” he added.
Sabbath are currently working with producer Rick Rubin on a new album, which is due in April; the band kick off their 2013 tour in Auckland, New Zealand on 4/20.
HMV UK's top 10 best-selling classic rock T-shirts for 2012:
01. Black Sabbath - US Tour 78
02. Led Zeppelin - USA 77
03. Led Zeppelin - Celebration Day
04. David Bowie - Smoking
05. Bruce Springsteen - Sand Tour
05. Foo Fighters - Gold logo
06. AC/DC - Angus And Brian
07. Metallica - Skull Explosion
08. Rolling Stones - Union Jack Tongue
09. Beatles - Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band
10. Guns N'Roses - Appetite For Destruction
Black Sabbath See also:
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Ozzy Osbourne talks Black Sabbath Vol. 4 on In The Studio
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Happy Holidays from Black Sabbath