Rock Meets Retail

Hold onto your vintage concert tee, because the Oregon Ducks just inked a mind-melting deal with none other than the Grateful Dead yes, the legendary jam band now officially rides with college football. The skulls, roses and tie-dye swirl are getting splashed across Ducks merch and you can almost hear Jerry Garcia riffing from the bleachers, but the Dead aren’t the only rock gods to cash in on their iconic image. Here are three more bands who turned their amps up to 11 and their licensing fees even higher.

1. KISS x EVERYONE
When it comes to selling out (proudly!), KISS reigns supreme. Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons practically invented the band-as-brand model. From KISS coffins (yep, for real) to credit cards and comic books, these glam rock titans have sold their face-painted personas to more corporations than you can shake a blood-spewing bass at. Their gear shows up everywhere, from Walmart shelves to arena tours sponsored by energy drinks. The motto? If it can be sold, KISS will slap their logo on it.

2. The Rolling Stones x Microsoft
Back in 1995, Microsoft made tech history and a marketing power move by dropping $3 million to license “Start Me Up” for the launch of Windows 95. That classic guitar riff blasted into the living rooms of millions, marking the first time the Stones allowed one of their songs to be used commercially. The once-rebellious Brits became the sound of software and never looked back.

3. Nirvana x Marc Jacobs
Yes, that Nirvana. In a twist Kurt Cobain would probably side-eye from the afterlife, fashion giant Marc Jacobs released a 2018 collection ripping off the band’s infamous smiley face logo. Courtney Love and Frances Bean weren’t amused and a legal battle followed, but it proved what we all knew: Grunge sells, especially when you throw a high-end label on it.

Bottom line: Rock ‘n’ roll might never die, but it sure loves a good licensing deal.