Sixty years ago, James Brown and The Rolling Stones shared a stage for the first time—an electric moment that would become a turning point in both of their careers. Now, Bravado and Primary Wave Music are honoring that milestone with the release of an exclusive commemorative t-shirt.
Bravado, known as “the world’s leading artist merchandise and lifestyle company,” and Primary Wave, “the leading independent publisher of iconic and legendary music in the world” and steward of James Brown’s estate, have come together to celebrate the cultural and musical significance of The T.A.M.I. Show—a concert film that helped shape the future of soul and rock.
A statement from the companies reveals that the limited-edition shirt “features black and white images of James Brown and Mick Jagger set against a red backdrop with retro typography,” and is available in black or white. Fans can purchase it at RS No.9 Carnaby, The Rolling Stones’ London flagship store, online at rsno9.com, and via the official James Brown webstore.
“Playing The T.A.M.I. Show was a real turning point for us,” Mick Jagger said in a statement. “Watching James Brown perform up close was unforgettable. His energy and the way he owned the stage set the bar for live performances that night and beyond for us.”
Originally filmed over two nights in October 1964 at the Santa Monica Civic Center, The T.A.M.I. Show—short for Teenage Awards Music International—gathered an extraordinary lineup of established and rising artists in rock, soul, and R&B. When the Stones followed Brown’s powerful set—complete with his trademark “cape routine” during “Please, Please, Please”—they were walking straight into a performance that redefined what it meant to command a stage.
That night, Brown and The Stones helped raise the bar for live music. But more than that, The T.A.M.I. Show represented something greater: a rare cultural intersection where genre and race converged at the height of the civil rights movement.
Bravado President Matt Young emphasized the importance of that moment: “The T.A.M.I. Show brought together music fans at a time when genre and race often divided artists and audiences. This collaboration between the James Brown and Rolling Stones teams is a tribute to that iconic night and a celebration of the impact their early performances there had on music, fashion, and culture.”
Primary Wave’s Rob Dippold added, “As we continue to develop fresh and thoughtful ways to celebrate our iconic artists, this collaboration marks a powerful and historic milestone in music history. It serves as a moment to both honor James Brown’s legacy for longtime fans and reintroduce his groundbreaking influence, while also highlighting The Rolling Stones’ early connection to that legacy for new generations.”
In the decades since The T.A.M.I. Show, Mick Jagger has remained closely tied to James Brown’s legacy—not just as a fan, but as an advocate. Over the past ten years, he’s taken on producer and executive producer roles for several projects about Brown’s life and work, including the recent A&E docuseries Say It Loud.
“He [James] was a brilliant performer who inspired me from the beginning and was deeply committed to the civil rights movement,” Jagger said. “I’ve always admired James and learned so much from him.”
The new t-shirt commemorates a performance that transcended entertainment—it marked a cultural shift and launched lasting artistic influence. With limited quantities available, the release is both a celebration of two towering legacies and a nod to the night they first met onstage.
For music lovers and collectors alike, it’s a wearable reminder of the night soul met rock—and history was made.
