The Beat Goes On: Rock Legends LTD’s Music Memorabilia Auction

Rock and roll debuted in the mid-1950s and was an immediate sensation. Starting in the 1960s, the production of merchandise, posters and publications, pins, t-shirts, and other materials related to performers, concerts, and bands launched as its own industry– one that is still thriving six decades later. Today, vintage to modern rock and roll souvenirs are highly sought by collectors. Rock Legends LTD of Las Vegas, NV is presenting its 826-lot Rock Legends Summer Auction on July 13, 2025. The sale includes a fine selection of rock and roll ephemera and other concert materials from little-known to superstar status bands and performers. Here are some fine-tuned auction highlights from this sale.

The top lot in this sale is # 0503A, a gold lame jacket owned and worn by American singer-songwriter and actor Prince (1958 – 2016), which is estimated at USD 15,000 to $20,000. It is decorated with miniature records made from black felt circles with gold sequin centers. This casual blazer was designed by Andre Van Pier. Prince wore it for a Rolling Stone magazine photo shoot. It comes with a certificate of authenticity and was previously sold in London at Bonhams’ December 2011 Entertainment Memorabilia sale.

Andre Van Pier (1950 – 2008) was a popular American fashion designer best known for garments that featured extensive beadwork and other hand-finished detailing. He also invented a proprietary process that converted gold dust into silken fabrics. His customer list read like a “who’s who” of famous late 20th-century celebrities, and included Princess Diana, Michael Jackson, Prince, Liza Minnelli, and many others.

This auction offers a fine selection of late 20th and early 21st-century rock and roll promotional posters. Lot #0121, a concert tour poster advertising a concert given by English DJ and singer-songwriter Boy George (b. George Alan O’Dowd, 1961), is estimated at $100 to $150. This 13-inch by nine-inch first printing example was designed by artist Reuben Rude and illustrated with a colorful peacock wearing a top hat. The show was held at The Fillmore music venue in San Francisco, CA on April 28, 2014. 

Reuben Rude was born in San Francisco and resides there today with his family. A lifetime artist, he spent most of his childhood waking hours painting and drawing. He graduated from San Francisco’s Academy of Art College in 1992. He has worked as a freelance painter and illustrator for clients including Disney, Nickelodeon, Sprite, Lipton’s Tea, Smirnoff Vodka, Corona, and Dos Equis. Rude also worked for The Fillmore music venue, designing some of their promotional posters. He created at least 35 of them during his tenure there, including this example for Boy George.

Promotional handbills are another premier category in this summer event. Lot #0534, a 2004 concert handbill for a performance by British rock and pop singer-songwriter Rod Stewart (b. 1945), is estimated at $275 to $300. This full-color piece is illustrated with two images of Stewart as a younger man in the background and an image of him as he appeared in 2004 in the foreground. This show was held at the Toyota Center in Houston, TX on April 11, 2004.

Unlike larger concert promotional posters– which were designed to hang on a flat, public surface– concert handbills were designed literally as “handouts” for distribution at music stores, event venues, and other community places where music fans congregated. These were often produced inexpensively and in large numbers for efficient concert marketing. Their ephemeral nature and small scale make them easy to display and collect.

Also on offer in this sale is a wide-ranging and decade-spanning selection of concert backstage passes. Lot #0583A, a backstage pass from Taylor Swift’s (b. 1989) 2009 Fearless Tour, is estimated at $35 to $50. This unused backstage pass is dated October 9, 2009. It is decorated with a black and white headshot of the performer against a swirling green background.

Backstage passes began to take on meaningful cultural significance and reflect social status starting in the 1970s. The earliest ones were simple in design and format; over time, they evolved to reflect each band’s specific branding, logo, image, or concert theme. Today, it is not uncommon to find different levels of concert or performance backstage passes, including All Access, which usually enables unlimited access, and VIP passes for meet-and-greets or other fan-based happenings.

This sale rounds out with tickets, photographs, and other associated rock and roll touring ephemera. Lot #0727, an unused ticket for a 2006 concert given by Jamaican musician Ziggy Marley, is estimated at $35 to $50. This general admission ticket granted complimentary admission to the show held on November 21, 2006 at the Coca-Cola Roxy Theatre in Atlanta, GA.

For more information on Rock Legends LTD’s Rock Legends Summer Auction and to place a bid, visit LiveAuctioneers. 

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