White text over a black and white photograph of Yoko Ono and John Lennon

The image on this button comes from John Lennon's collaboration album with Yoko Ono titled "Double Fantasy." The album was released in 1980, three weeks before Lennon's murder, which elevated the album to becoming a commercial success. 

John Lennon, a member of The Beatles, and Yoko Ono, an artist, met in 1966 and married a few years later in 1969. It has been rumored that their relationship was the reason the Beatles broke up. Lennon and Ono, who collaborated on several recordings and were outspoken activists for peace throughout the 1970s, remained married until his death in 1980.

Illustration of blue eyes over blue text on a white background

Featuring the infamous blue eyes of singer Frank Sinatra, this button was designed for employees of Caesars Palace in Las Vegas whenever Sinatra was performing there. Many of Sinatra’s performances took place in Las Vegas venues, particularly the Sands. When the Sands was purchased in 1967 by Howard Hughes, who cut off Sinatra’s credit line, the singer signed with the newly opened Caesars Palace across the street. When Sinatra was performing the Palace marquee would read “He’s Here” or “Guess Who?”. 

Black and white photograph of  Hank Williams with red and blue text

This button is a gift shop item sold by The Hank Williams Museum in Montgomery, Alabama. Hank Williams (1923-1953) was an American musician. 35 of his singles reached the Top 10 Billboard Country and Western Best Sellers, making him one of the most iconic country performers of all time. In 1937 he began hosting a radio program and performing with a backup group, the Drifting Cowboys. After Williams was fired from the radio station due to alcohol abuse, he eventually signed on with MGM records in the mid 1940’s, releasing more singles and making his way into mainstream music. Later in the decade he joined the Grand Ole Opry, but after releasing a few more singles he was dismissed again for alcohol abuse. Williams was posthumously indicted into multiple halls of fame, including the Country Music Hall of Fame, Songwriters Hall of Fame, and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. 

A colorful illustration of a skull and skeleton hand holding a joint on top of a yellow and orange sun with orange wings above it, all on a sky blue background.

Designed by artist Gill Sanchez, a student at New York City Community College (now known as New York Technological College) in 1978. He made 300 and sold them at school and during a 3 night showing of the Grateful Dead movie that come out in 1977.

This image was later reproduced by someone unknown to the artist. We don't know how many of those were made, but Gill Sanchez's signature is not on that version. 

It features the lightning skull logo, one of the band's most iconic images.The Grateful Dead is a rock band that formed in San Francisco in 1965. They are well-known for their unique fusion of various musical genres such as reggae, bluegrass, and psychedelia. 

Color photograph of Grace Jones on a yellow background

Grace Jones is a Jamaican musician, model, actress, and record producer. She is known for her androgynous appearance and bold style. Her music styles range from disco, reggae, funk, punk and pop. Her most popular album are Nightclubbing and Slave to the Rhythm. As an actress she is notable for her role as May Day in the 1985 James Bond film, A View to a Kill. 

White text on a black background

Black and white photograph of four men standing with two cardboard cutouts.

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Black illustration of an eye followed by text over a gold symbol and more black text on a white background

"Eye Hate U" is a song by pop musician Prince from his 1995 album The Gold Experience.  It was the lead single release in support of the album.  

The song was one of the last original singles from Prince to reach the U.S. Top 40 charts, and peaked within the top 10 of the U.S. R&B/Hip-Hop charts.  Actress and singer Carmen Electra claims Prince told her the song is about her.

Black text around the outer edge with white text over an illustration of the empire state building on a white background

"We make no attempt to define the meaning of Soul. Soul is a feeling."
 
The Empire State Soul Club was the self-proclaimed Pinnacle of Soul. The club hosted monthly dances at various New York City bars and clubs in the 1980s and 1990s. The music featured was mostly obscure 1960s soul, although other kinds of music were sometimes included in their sets. The Empire State Soul Club published a newsletter that included an official statement of beliefs and announced events. 

Photograph of Elvis Costello's head and shoulders in yellow and black on a red background

Elvish Costello (Declan Patrick MacManus) is an English musician and record producer. In the 1970’s he was a part of the first wave of punk and new wave in Britain, releasing his first successful album, My Aim Is True in 1977. After forming his backing band, The Attractions, he went on to release two more acclaimed albums: This Year’s Model (1978) and Armed Forces (1979), the latter of which featured his most popular single, Oliver’s Army. In 1986 Costello and the Attractions split up and Costello has gone on to enjoy a diverse and successful solo career.