Rating Rock’s Most Prominent Mustaches
Rock has a hairy history…literally. Across every decade, there’s usually a rocker that emerges with some killer facial hair. While we love a great beard, this gallery will focus on…
Rock has a hairy history...literally. Across every decade, there's usually a rocker that emerges with some killer facial hair. While we love a great beard, this gallery will focus on the wonder that is the mustache.
There are a wide variety of mustache types. An "Imperial" mustache is a thicker style where the ends curl inward. There's also the "Horseshoe," which is thicker and has ends that curl down towards the mouth. A close relative to the "Horseshoe" is the "Fu Manchu." The big difference between the two is the "Fu Manchu" has a hairless gap above the upper lip, while the "Horseshoe" is fully connected. The ever-controversial "Pencil" mustache is a thin line of hair just above someone's upper lip. (Think Little Richard or John Waters.)
Fun fact, and also to prove that any interest has an association: There is such a thing as the World Beard and Moustache Association (WBMA). This association overlooks the World Beard and Moustache Championships. (Yes, this is a real thing.) According to the WBMA's mission statement, "We also encourage the worldwide appreciation of beards and moustaches. We believe that all facial hair-related events should encourage friendship among those with facial hair and those who appreciate it."
Our Rating System
To celebrate the mustache and its place in rock history, we selected nine rockers from varying decades who were known to wear a mustache. Some of these men range in being known for their hairy upper lips, while others simply wore a mustache seemingly for fun.
Our rating system won't use "stars"; instead, it will be based on a range of 1 through 5 mustache combs. With this range, "1" will be the lower ranking, while "5" is a truly supreme mustache for all to admire.
Without further ado, keep scrolling to see our ratings on some of rock's most prominent mustaches.
Jimi Hendrix (1 mustache comb)
Central Press/Hulton Archive/Getty ImagesAmerican guitarist, singer and songwriter Jimi Hendrix (1942 - 1970) arrives at Heathrow Airport, London, 27th August 1970. (Photo by Central Press/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Tony Iommi (1 mustache comb)
Jeff Spicer/Getty ImagesBIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - MARCH 26: Tony Iommi attends The Pride of Birmingham Awards, in partnership with TSB at University of Birmingham on March 26, 2019 in Birmingham, United Kingdom. (Photo by Jeff Spicer/Getty Images)
Anthony Kiedis (2 mustache combs)
Jon Kopaloff/Getty ImagesHOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 31: Anthony Kiedis of The Red Hot Chili Peppers speaks onstage during the Hollywood Walk of Fame Star Ceremony for The Red Hot Chili Peppers on March 31, 2022 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images)
Lemmy Kilminster (2.5 mustache combs)
Jo Hale/Getty ImagesLONDON - OCTOBER 4: Lemmy Kilminster of Mototrhead performs an Acoustic Set on stage at the Classic Rock Roll Of Honour, the music magazine's inaugural awards, at Cafe de Paris on October 4, 2005 in London, England. Categories include Album Of The Year, Band Of The Year, Best Reissue, Classic Rock Collection and Classic Rock Event Of The Year. (Photo by Jo Hale/Getty Images)
Freddie Mercury (3 mustache combs)
Steve Wood/Express/Getty Images1982: Rock singer Freddie Mercury (Frederick Bulsara, 1946 - 1991), of the popular British group Queen, has his moustache groomed. (Photo by Steve Wood/Express/Getty Images)
David Crosby (4 mustache combs)
Jon Kopaloff/Getty ImagesLOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JULY 18: David Crosby attends the Premiere Of Sony Pictures Classic's "David Crosby: Remember My Name" at Linwood Dunn Theater on July 18, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images)
Frank Zappa (4.5 mustache combs)
Evening Standard/Hulton Archive/Getty ImagesAmerican singer, songwriter and guitarist Frank Zappa (1940 - 1993) at the Oval cricket ground in London to perform in the Rock at the Oval concert, UK, 16th September 1972. (Photo by Evening Standard/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
John Oates (5 mustache combs)
RCAJeff Baxter (6 mustache combs)
Jesse Grant/Getty Images for NAMMANAHEIM, CA - JANUARY 23: Guitarist Jeff Baxter performs on stage during the 31st Annual NAMM Technical Excellence & Creativity (TEC) Awards at the Anaheim Hilton on January 23, 2016 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for NAMM)
