Last night the CBS evening news did a story on Joe Brown of Pensacola, FL, who is still a hardworking barber at the age of 98. Patrons were asked, as they should have been, whether they feel safe in the hands of a nearly century-old tonsorian, especially when he breaks out the straight razor. But apparently his skills are still sharp and he gives a good cut.
Mr. Brown said that the low point in his very long career was when the Beatles became the rage and hair styles — along with pretty much everything else — began to change.
And so we present the above photo, alerted to us by ever-faithful reader “OldSchool,” as an illustration of the battle between Ivy and Beatles haircuts. I wonder which side won? — CC
Give me a Peter Gunn cut,thanks.
I always wear a crew cut and I absolutely love The Beatles, so there’s no controversy here for me. 🙂
Theme from Peter Gunn:
http://youtu.be/vWscwxNBla4
Can’t claim to have patronized a 98-year old barber, but until two years ago I had the pleasure of getting trimmed by a gentleman who operated his shop in the same spot from 1963 until 2010. And he’d cut hair in someone else’s shop for several years before that, so he had at least 50 years behind a barber’s chair.
Frank was a pleasure to talk with; always had something interesting to say and really seemed to enjoy his work. I doubt he made a lot of money but he made enough to meet his needs and therefore had what many people lack: “enough”.
He decided to retire when a 40-something woman barber came to town and made him the proverbial offer he couldn’t refuse. She’s OK, but as OK as Frank.
Johnny Unitas!!!
Most “traditional” barber shops don’t know what to do except ask you what number you want on the clippers and buzzing away (probably using the wrong number) for 10 minutes. They’re traditional in the sense that they are as bad now as they likely were then, except then we didn’t know better.
Traditional barbers cater to gentlemen, not narcissists.
@RT
We need to give you a soapbox. How about writing an essay called “As I see it: the world according to Reacionary Trad.”
You need to go to a better barber, dwdry. I’ve been to some so-so ones, but I don’t go back. I’m happy to have a skilled octogenarian as my barber, but am worried about what to do when he retires—or dies.
Does there really have to be a line in the sand between an appreciation for striped ties and the Beatles? Why does everyone around here insist on such hard line, imaginary, mutual exclusivity?
Seems to me that getting in a lather about “Beatles haircuts” is pretty much admitting that “Ivy Style” is about being a stuffy old bastard.
“Does there really have to be a line in the sand between an appreciation for striped ties and the Beatles? Why does everyone around here insist on such hard line, imaginary, mutual exclusivity?
Seems to me that getting in a lather about “Beatles haircuts” is pretty much admitting that “Ivy Style” is about being a stuffy old bastard.”
You’ve summed up 99% of the neo-prep/ivy blogosphere in one paragraph friend.
And it aint pretty.
For the past 15 years I have had, in my opinion, the best barber in New York: Eddy, at 34th Street & First Avenue in Manhattan.
No appointments. Tell him I sent you.
Peter Gunn…yes!
My wife and I have just finished watching all of the episodes, and I noticed his great haircut early on.
What is a D.J. Contour and a Disc Jockey?
Peter Gunn—–hip, timeless, sophisticated cool!!!!!!
RIP Craig Stevens
RIP Blake Edwards
RIP Herschel Bernardi
I’m going to guess the “D.J. Contour” is an Alan Freed and the “Disk Jockey” is a Dick Clark style.
Darn. I guess the Crazy Horse no-hair cut “slight trim” was also out.
I’ve been going to a hair salon for my trims for almost 18 years. My small town has those new mixed-gender modern no reservation need places. The shop was recommended by my wife’s niece. Surrounded by women and attended to by a charming hairdresser, makes for an interesting experience.