John Van Hamersveld - Crazy World T-Shirt

Most recently featured on Entourage the Crazy World Ain't It shirt by John Van Hamerveld has a pure rock heritage worthy of the best vintage t-shirts. Read on...

The face emblazoned across the chest of Mick Jagger in a 1972 New Musical Express feature on the Rolling Stones had a rich history according to its creator, artist John Van Hamersveld (pictured left in crazy world t-shirt and in a suit covered in crazy world badges).

The iconic image was the product of a mescaline and marijuana jag, after which Van Hamersveld was left with the enduring image of ‘a mans face with a big, toothy, wide smile.’ From a portrait of Jimi Hendrix he had made in 1968.

Van Hamersveld came up with the ‘Johnny Face’ logo the following year, which he used for promoting his own work.

The image became a poster in 1970, then a button badge in 1971 – now with the famous slogan – and ‘Johnny’ subsequently appeared in ad campaigns across the US.

Van Hamersveld believes the image subsequently influenced the designer of the Stones’ ‘Tongue’ logo. The original poster was recently used in the set design of the 2005 John Travolta vehicle ‘Be Cool’.