Jerry Garcia
As part of the Warlocks and The Grateful Dead, Jerry Garcia was at the front of the beard revolution during psychedelic 1960’s, taking the beard (and acid) from San Francisco to the masses during the later part of the decade.
Billy Gibbons & Dusty Hill (ZZ Top)
Billy Gibbons and Dusty Hill have possibly the most recognisable beards in the business. Since playing their first show in 1970, they have had their original line-up together for over 40 years, with possibly their most tempting to moment to shave their beards coming in 1984 when Gillette offered the pair $1 Million to shave. They declined.
Mark Oliver Everett (E)
Better known as E, the frontman of the eels, Everett continues to fly the beard flag higher and higher, as he grows more and more comfortable and confident with. E’s beard began life as modest yet tidy facial hair, but has grown to become not only one of his feature’s, but a trademark.
Nick Oliveri (Kyuss/Q.O.T.S.A.)
Most famous for his work with Kyuss and Queens Of The Stoneage, you may have recently spotted Nick’s unmistakeable beard as he toured Australia recently as part of Mondo Generator. Some say that this is a goaty, but we think this definitely sneaks in as a beard.
Jim Morrison
When Jim Morrison originally began exploding onto the stage at the Whiskey a Go Go during the 60’s, he was an instant sex symbol who had the ladies screaming. It’s argued that he may have lost his sex symbol tag as he adopted his beard, but have you seen this photo.
George Clinton (Parliament Funkadelic)
George Clinton fronted The Parliaments, then Funkadelic, and then back to Parliament when they began to find fame as their stageshow began to take on touring their ‘Starship’. Here at Tonedeaf, we believe that there is just as much fame to be found in George’s beard, a beard (and hair) that will possibly never be repeated.
George Harrison
After many years of rocking the moustache, pop-culture icon George Harrison finally took his facial hair that extra step further and adopted the beard. Due to his pop culture hero status, George’s embracing of the beard gave many men of the western world confidence to do so also.
Kerry King
Rounding out the musical spectrum of The Beard is metal heavyweight and lead/rhythm guitarist for Slayer, Kerry King. Whilst many of the beards featured in this article have focused on the psychedelic/rock ‘n roll aspects of the beard, King demonstrates that the beard can be intimidating, brutal, and as scary as fuck. This is also in particular contrast to the beard of Craig David.
The Beards
Finally, last, but definitely not least we’d like to make special mention of one of Adelaide’s most exciting bands, The Beards. Whilst all of the artists on this list have rocked the beard, flaunted the beard and shown pride in the beard, The Beards have gone that extra step further by living the beard, a feat that we’re pretty sure hasn’t been done before, and won’t be done again for a very long time.
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