Movember: The greatest moustaches in rock music
Planet Rock celebrates Movember
Last updated 18th Oct 2023
To celebrate the launch of Movember, Planet Rock takes a look at some of the greatest moustaches in the history of rock music.
Launched in 2003 with the aim of changing the face of men's health, Movember is an annual event that raises awareness of issues such as prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and mental health.
The greatest moustaches in rock music:
Derek Smalls’ moustache
Spinal Tap bassist Derek Smalls (aka Harry Shearer) has sported his mutton chops moustache ever since he joined the band in 1967 following the exit of original bassist Ronnie Pudding. In fact, Smalls' voluminous moustache has outlived at least 12 Spinal Tap drummers.
James Hetfield’s moustache
The Metallica frontman clearly takes aesthetic inspiration from The Lion in the Wizard of Oz, however, unlike his feline doppelgänger, Papa Het cuts a fearsome figure with his moustache.
Jesse Hughes’ moustache
Eagles of Death Metal frontman Jesse Hughes and his bushy walrus moustache.
Jimi Hendrix’s moustache
Guitar legend Jimi Hendrix and his pencil moustache that some claim nods towards rock n' roll pioneer Little Richard.
Little Richard’s moustache
Alongside the likes of Clark Gable, David Niven and George Orwell, rock n' roll trailblazer Little Richard was one of the famous faces who became synonymous with the pencil moustache. In fact, Richard Wayne Penniman sported the same style of moustache for seven decades.
Lemmy’s moustache
Together with his fellow rock music luminary Derek Smalls, late Motörhead legend Lemmy was one of the long-standing bastions of the mutton chops moustache.
Duane Allman’s moustache
The Allman Brothers Band leader was truly one of the finest guitarists ever, and he also sported arguably the greatest facial hair in the history of rock music with his colossal ginger mutton chops moustache. Duane Allman was in his early 20s when he shot to fame, however his spectacular moustache made him look twice that age.
Carlos Santana’s moustache
Alongside his array of visually striking hats, eponymous Santana lynchpin Carlos Santana has had his trademark moustache for his entire fabled career.
Justin Hawkins’ moustache
For a couple of years in the late noughties, The Darkness' Justin Hawkins flaunted this impressive handlebar moustache. We reckon he should bring it back!
Freddie Mercury’s moustache
The late-great Freddie Mercury began rocking his legendary moustache during Queen's commercial renaissance in the 1980s. Thanks to Live Aid in particular, Freddie's moustache is easily one of the most iconic in rock history.
Bill Kelliher’s moustache
Mastodon guitarist Bill Kelliher's beast of a moustache is perfectly in keeping with the heavy metal band's mammoth-sounding music.
Frank Zappa’s moustache
The avant-garde musician's moustache is so iconic, it even has its own name – the aptly entitled Zappa Moustache. The Zappa combines a bushy and voluminous moustache with a wide soul patch below the lower lip.
David Crosby’s moustache
The Byrds and Crosby, Stills & Nash musician has sported an impressive moustache for his entire fabled career. Asked by a Twitter user in 2021 what the secret is to growing a bushy moustache, Crosby replied: 'Kiss pretty women ... a lot.'
Tony Iommi’s moustache
Writing in his memoir Iron Man: My Journey Through Heaven and Hell with Black Sabbath, Tony Iommi said he initially started growing a moustache to hide a scar on his lip. Revealing he was eight or nine at the time of the injury, Iommi wrote: "(I was) running down this gravel road when I tripped and along my lip. The scar is still there now. The kids even started calling me Scarface, so I got a terrible complex about that." As showcased in this picture from 1986, Tony Iommi's moustache is now firmly entrenched in rock n' roll folklore.
Taylor Hawkins’ moustache
Late-great Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins and his impressive horseshoe moustache in 2013.
Jeff Baxter’s moustache
Part walrus moustache and part horseshoe moustache, the former Steely Dan and Doobie Brothers guitarist's moustache is something of a marvel.
Rudolf Schenker’s moustache
Scorpions guitarist Rudolf Schenker and his fantastiche moustache in the late 1970s.
Phil Lynott’s moustache
Dublin's prodigal son Phil Lynott was another bastion of the moustache throughout his career with Thin Lizzy and beyond. Combined with his hairstyle, it created a truly seminal look.
George Harrison’s moustache
The so-called quiet Beatle began rocking a moustache in 1967 when the band released their concept album 'Sgt Pepper' and, aside from a few years, it was a mainstay of his look until his untimely death in 2001.
Johnny Depp’s moustache
The actor and Hollywood Vampires rocker's moustache follows the contours of his upper lip and is often combined with a soul patch and goatee beard. Depp hit tabloid headlines in October 2022 when he shaved his moustache and beard off.
Roy Wood’s moustache
Prior to Electric Light Orchestra and Wizzard when a gargantuan beard took over his face, Roy Wood had this extraordinary moustache when he was a member of The Move.
Axl Rose’s moustache
Axl Rose is famous for just three things - fronting Guns N' Roses (and briefly AC/DC), turning up late on stage, and his beloved ginger horseshoe moustache.
The Beatles’ moustaches
George Harrison, Ringo Starr, John Lennon and Paul McCartney all debuted their moustaches on the cover to their 1967 album 'Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band'. Such was their ubiquitous popularity, the Fab Four were credited with reviving the popularity of moustaches across the globe.
Jon Lord's moustache
No Greatest Moustaches countdown would be complete without late Deep Purple keyboard wizard Jon Lord. In later life, he embraced a goatee, however in the 60s, 70s and 80s his moustache reigned supreme.
John Bonham's moustache
Led Zeppelin's powerhouse drummer John Bonham and his beautiful moustache in 1968.
Dave Brock’s moustache
Space rock legend David Brock of Hawkwind fame with his equally legendary moustache.
Neil Peart’s moustache
The Professor's moustache in the late 1970s was a thing of almost unparalleled beauty. A moustache from heaven.
Glenn Frey's moustache
Late Eagles founder, singer and guitarist Glenn Frey's spectacular moustache in 1978.
Nick Mason's moustache
Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason's lustrous and wondrous horseshoe moustache in the 1970s.
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