About The Book

"Even the book's cover sparkles with gold, a brilliant visual cue -- at least for those of us of a certain age -- of what's in store: A traipse through that time in our lives when the sparkly flash of pop-cultural figures served as guides to millions of youngsters desperate to connect to a dim constellation we knew to be out there but couldn't see alone." East Hampton Star
What The Band Wore
by Alice Harris is an unprecedented collection of photographs that illustrates four decades of pop, rock, soul, disco, funk, punk, reggae, heavy metal, and hip hop fashion. Sparkling sequins, safety pins, and even suits from outer space are spotlighted in more than 80 images by acclaimed music photographers, including Terry O'Neill, Henry Diltz, Matthew Rolston, Bob Gruen, and Lynn Goldsmith.

Featuring exclusive comments from legendary artists, What The Band Wore traces the evolution of stage wear from the 1960s through the 1990s, from the self-made counterculture style of Jefferson Airplane, Janis Joplin, and Sly & The Family Stone to the custom designs that Bob Mackie, Bill Whitten, Larry LeGaspi, Vivienne Westwood, and Issey Miyake created for the most renowned names in music. Whether it's Elvis Presley or Janet Jackson posing in tight leather, Freddie Mercury masquerading as a harlequin, or Run-DMC sporting their iconic footwear, these pages thread together a fabulous celebration of fashion and music.

About The Authors

Alice Harris is a prominent, best-selling author. Her catalog of art books includes What the Band Wore, The White T, The Blue Jean, The Wedding Album, Blow Me A Kiss, and I Only Have Eyes For You. As iconic and stylish as her coffee-table books, Harris has been inspired by her world travels and career in the fashion and music industries. She resides in New York City with her husband and family.

Product Details

  • Publisher: ACC Art Books (September 29, 2023)
  • Length: 200 pages
  • ISBN13: 9781788842310

Browse Related Books

Raves and Reviews

What The Band Wore is named as one of "The 20 Best Coffee Table Books for 2026."

The Wall Street Journal

"A Collection of fabled 20th-century musicians' Diana Ross & The Supremes sequins toThe Ramones leather jackets." 

– Sarah Adams, "The 20 Best Coffee Table Books for 2026," The Wall Street Journal

"Acclaimed Author and Style Innovator Alice Harris Continues to Create Captivating Works of Art."

Margot

"Even the book's cover sparkles with gold, a brilliant visual cue -- at least for those of us of a certain age -- of what's in store: A traipse through that time in our lives when the sparkly flash of pop-cultural figures served as guides to millions of youngsters desperate to connect to a dim constellation we knew to be out there but couldn't see alone."

– East Hampton Star

"In her book What the Band Wore, Alice Harris looks back at the intersection of music and fashion, worlds that are both parallel and perpendicular. From an extensive analysis, the writer confirms: stars are made both in front of the spotlight and between the seams."

– Vogue Portugal

"Fashion flashbacks and exclusive tales from iconic artists and some of the biggest names in the music biz."

– Maxim Australia/NZ

"This was a comprehensive book dealing with the biggest names in music throughout 4 decades".

– WLIL FM NPR

Resources and Downloads

High Resolution Images

More books from this author: Alice Harris

BACK TO TOP