5 Best Beards in Music by Jeremy Sole
Jeremy Sole, KCRW DJ.
Sure, I could have chosen a profound subject for my Top 5 list – one that might allow me to wax philosophic on music, race or early changes in migration patterns of the snowy egret as an indication of global warming. But alas, I have been guided to crest a higher summit – a list of those who liberate their follicles in honor of the upside-down crown.
Whilst trimming off the obvious picks like ZZ Top or Matisyahu, and pruning away Joe Cocker and all sporters of the porkchop, I have shaved it down to five of music’s most notable chinstraps – from the bearish muzzle to the pharaoh-like obelisk. Because this was a tough one to shear down, I have decided to focus on those who have wholly represented the fuzz throughout the majority of their career. Being that I’m the self-appointed arbiter on this matter, I hereby denounce all accusations of favoritism!
SAM BEAM (Iron and Wine)
Sam sports the quintessential caucasian beard. Woodsy and rustic. Rugged like a logger yet introspective like a 19th century poet.
PHAROAH SANDERS
Legendary Jazz Saxophonist Ferrel "Pharaoh" Sanders has donned the mustache-less beard for most of his career, emitting an essence of spirituality, afro-centricity and resolution. Through the years it has grown bright white and long, adding to the air of wisdom his life and music embody.
KYP MALONE (TV On The Radio)
Kyp epitomizes the facial fervor us brethren of the beard strive for. Sure, some long for length, but most for girth. Kyp’s bushy grin and scholarly glasses give the impression of Dr. Cornel West, as a chia pet.
JERRY GARCIA (Grateful Dead)
It’s feasible to say that no other musicians will ever recreate the long strange trip that Jerry guided three generations of beards through. Sure, there were years of clean cut Jerry, then porkchop-sideburned Jerry, but most know him for the Saint Nicholas, grandpa beard that seemed to halo his warm smile like a furry, white glow.
RICHIE HAVENS
Like Pharaoh Sanders, Richie has the long, wise beard, nuanced with a natural un-manicured look that says "I don’t, nor have I ever, needed to shave for some square job". Mr. Havens’ kind yet serious face, give his beard an intense quality, much like a furrowed brow, on his chin.
*honorable mention: RAY LaMONTAGNE
Albeit a younger personality in the annals of music, he deserves a shot at the title for the fact that, much like myself, Ray has a peanut head. Long-faced folks like ourselves will often fully embrace the scruff in order to round out our appearance, and ensure that we look older than 15.
*more honorable mentions: Bluesman DAN AUERBACH (Black Keys), Brasilian composer HERMETO PASCOAL and MOONDOG; the blind composer, musician, cosmologist, inventor and "Viking of 6th Avenue".
Tags: beards, entertainment, music
