The Next Look for the Bearded Rock Musician

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.

Summerfest Tom Petty ZZ Top June 26th

I'm going to Summerfest Tom Petty with ZZ Top on June 26. I have been spoiled as of late, when it comes to Marcus Amphitheater tickets. I can't remember the last time that I sat in the "yellow" sections. It's been the first 31 rows or nothing. I'll be sitting in section 6 this time. I needed a group of eight tickets, and that was the best I could do.

At least I am sitting on the aisle at the Summerfest show. I suspect that I will be coming and going a lot. My wife is a big ZZ Top fan. I'm so-so for both bands. We're going to join the family for that show, so it's not really about the bands. They are flying in from Seattle the day before, and I'm always happy to see them. My nephew has not missed a Summerfest season in the past 12 years.

Tom Petty and ZZ Top are playing two shows at the Marcus Amphitheater this year. I don't know what to think about that. Is Milwaukee that fired up for Tom Petty? The festival starts on June 24, and runs through July 4. I'll be going down there a second time and I plan to see DEVO on the last night. This will make two years in a row, where I head to the festival grounds in Milwaukee on two separate nights.