Official recognition of musicians is not an easy task in some countries.
It takes many… many years for countries to realize the size and influence of some artists.
Especially when it comes to musicians who have changed an entire generation and directly or indirectly influence the next ones.
As far back as 1993, several countries began issuing stamps in honor of great musicians.
The U.S. Postal Service, for example, has launched a series of stamps such as:
- Louis Armstrong,
- Elvis Presley,
- Ritchie Valens,
- Buddy Holly,
- The Beatles,
- Ray Charles,
- Janis Joplin,
- Jimi Hendrix,
- Rush,
- Johnny Cash.
In Finland, a few years ago, the country’s top rock and metal bands were honored with stamps of:
- Hanoi Rocks
- The Rasmus,
- HIM,
- Apocalyptica,
- Children Of Bodom and
- Nightwish.
AC / DC was also honored by Australia, and the Royal Mail of the United Kingdom has released a series of well-known album covers.
The newest stamp series is the ones of Queen.
But looking more closely at the history of Rock / Metal, unfortunately, many great artists are missing.
On the other hand, there are some stamps that, personally, surprised us …
Tanzania
Yes, yes, you read that right… In Tanzania, Chuck Berry, Bruce Springsteen, Rolling Stones, and many more were honored with stamps!
Dagestan
KISS has been honored with stamps in many countries, but the most impressive are those from Dagestan.
Congo
Led Zeppelin as well, has been honored by several countries, but Congo stamps depict their various appearances.
Stamps that play music…
What could happen if these stamps also played music by our favorite artists?
Before you rush to say: “This is out of the question!“, A news story from the past comes to convince you.
A few years ago, in 1972, Bhutan (South Asia) made vinyl stamps that play normally on a record player.
In fact, they were rectangular in shape, square or oblong, colored, and jagged at their edges.
It was of course a very clever idea, started mainly to attract tourists and advertise the culture of the country.
This innovation has not progressed, but this is another discussion with political and economic implications, which is not our field.
However, and for the record, it would not be a bad idea for the artists, instead of T-shirts and plectrums to make such stamps!!!
