It’s been four years now, and we’re deep into the bearded rock musicians look. I’m old enough to remember when this trend was popular the first time. Yes, I was a wee lad at the time, but the beards were in full bloom back then. I have just one question about this current look; what will follow this current trend?
If things are cyclical, and I must say that many sounds, looks, and trends in the music world do less evolving, and more recycling, then we have to look at what followed the bearded musicians of three decades ago to make a good guess at the future.
Prog Rock Begat Punk
One of the most famous long bearded, progressive rock keyboard players is none other than Rick Wakeman. Wakeman played with Yes, one of the best examples of “prog” rock. He sported a more trimmed down version of a ZZ Top beard, but bearded he was. Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull had a more scraggly beard, and played a similar vein of over the top music. The music was grandiose, the bands were huge, the tours massive, and when it needed to stop, punk rock tore it all down.
When Will Bearded Rock Musicians Shave It Off?
As we all know, punk musicians shaved away the beard, the hair, killed off the massive tours, etc. Will that be the next look? First, we have to remember that disco took hold in the mid to late 1970’s and some bands like the Bee Gees sported feathered hair and beards. Will the indie scene adopt that look? I doubt it. I’m going to guess that the long hair will stay, “fros” will make a weak comeback, and the beards will be shorn. By 2013, it will all be over. No more hiding behind the facial hair for the indie scene.
