Ahhh, the beard. There's something about this particular form of facial hair that not only screams manliness but demands power. While mustaches look creepy or weird and being clean shaven often makes men look like babies, it is the mighty beard that turns an average-looking guy into a ruggedly handsome dude.
Everyone of historical significance had one: Poseidon, Abraham Lincoln, Chuck Norris, Santa... We could go on for days. The point is, people respect you more with a beard and generally think you're better-looking. Great music also sometimes comes with a great beard. So, in honor of No Shave November, we compiled a list of the ten best musical beards. Trust us, there are some hirsute legends here.
10. Jake Snider - Minus the Bear
Because you can't spell "beard" without "bear," we just had to include lead vocalist Jake Snider of MTB. And cause you figuratively can't spell "good indie music" without "beard" -- it seems the two go hand in hand!
9. James Murphy
This DJ and former LCD frontman may not have a full-on lumberjack-style beard, but we can dig the neck stubble.
8. Rick Rubin
This producer, who's worked with musical greats such as Jay Z, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Audioslave, and others, has a beard that's almost as long as the list of his famous clients. Almost.
7. Jerry Garcia - the Grateful Dead
Garcia's beard embodied the full-on psychedelic age of the Grateful Dead. In fact, we wouldn't be surprised if it smelled like that era as well.
6. Sam Beam - Iron and Wine
Beam is seriously verging on lumberjack status with his beard. We bet he can use his beard powers to chop down trees and speak to bears.
5. Kyp Malone - TV on the Radio
Who knows what's hiding in this beard! Malone looks like a "wolf like me."
4. Rick Ross
The Teflon Don goes by the saying: God forgives, I don't. Personally, we think the beard is doing all the talking. Without it, there's no way Ross would be as tough-looking as he is now (UH!).
3. Tommie Sunshine
His hair looks silky enough to be in a Pantene Pro-V commercial, but Sunshine's beard adds manliness to his look. Oh, and it gives him a sort of musical je ne sais quoi.
2. Claudio Sanchez - Coheed and Cambria
There really isn't any description necessary for this one. But we must admit, the beard can hold its own even with that full mane of hair.
1. ZZ Top
You can't have a musical beard list without this band (well, at least 2/3 of it. SOMEONE decided to remain bare-faced, cough cough). Their music may be legendary, their guitars may be fluffy, but it's the beards that upstage it all. And dammit, we like it. Hell, we wish we could have beards like these ourselves!
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