Take It From The Head: Bald Musicians

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	visitors since January 2006

	Trying to straighten his hair, Eddie got the chemical mixture wrong and created a huge mess. With no other options, he just shaved it all off. It looked cool, so he left it that way. In doing so, he acquired a lifelong nickname and became the namesake of "the Cleanhead look" for musicians.

	With a career spanning decades and over 50 albums to his credit, Pete is a musical living legend in his home base of New Orleans, where they've commemorated him with a life-sized statue.

July 3rd, Pete Fountain's Birthday. Happy Birthday Pete!

01/10/10: Archie Alleyne, Gary Blu, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Shelley Carrol, Massimo DeMattia, Peter Groen, Frederic Las Fargeas, Harvey Kaiser, Cliff Lisette, Brad Mason, Marco Mazzini, Eric "Smoothe-E" Schwartz, Christopher Von Deylen, Terry VunCannon

11/29/09: Gus Amador, Pierre Chaze, Stephan Hendrix, Jim Meyer, Jorge Parades, Luca Rossi, Paulo Rustichelli, Robert Sack, Lamine K. Sene, Steve Sechi, Larry Washington, Paul Wells

11/01/09: Sekou Bunch, Terrence Brewer, Mike "Sugar" Cahen, Gil Edwards, Gary Foote, Tim Godwin, Peter Gordon, Roger Inniss, Mike Miranda, Skip Mitchell, Ryan Mongomery, Carlton Romillie, Atle Strom, Rod Youngs

10/16/09: Joachim Bergström, CharlElie, Doudou Cuillerier, Josh Gonzalez, Robert Mehmet Sinan Ikiz, Dave LaGrande, Rob W. Miller, Patrick Paré, Dirk Schlag, Volker Schlag, Sandro Sibillo, Shane Taylor

9/7/09: Enrico Cecconi, Bret Cook, Alex Lattimore, Ricardo Morena, Jimmy Owens, Phil Powell, Scott Rifkin, David Ruttenberg, Mark Sheehan, Lino Volpe, Jefferson Voorhees

8/28/09: Olivier Bodson, Phil Cigano, Damen 'Prime' Cromwell, Ramon Gonzalez, Ray Jones, Conan McDonnell, Pat Moriarty, Russell Napoli, Chris Pasin, Mark E. Peterson, Bass Reeves, Mark Scarbrough, Corey Smith, Jay Stollman, Kabba Umaru Tejan, John-Christian Urich, Danny Whelchel, Daniel A. Weiss

6/30/09: Abraham Burton, Claudio Corona, Demir Demirkan, Jerry Lardieri, Dean Lisi, Adam Plotnicki, Ney Portales, Cristiano Martini Sanna, L.A. Simon, Stephen Wilhoit, Gianni Zanata

5/20/09: John Boggess, Richard Buyak Jr., Jacky Coppens, Joel Cross, Martyn Flunoy, Yves Francois, Mark Hoffman, Phil Jackson, Simon Kashama, Nathan "Flutebox" Lee, Johnny Markowski, Bob Niederriter, Walter Smith III, Mark Walker

5/4/09: Troy Bahr, Nathan Brown, Randy Jacobs, Bruce DeShaun Jones, Jason Langley, Freddie Louden, Ira Mayfield, Damu Quarles, Alberto Rodriguez, Frank Wiesen

4/18/09: Josh Brown, Tommy Brunjes, Marc Gambino, Shawn Kail, Keith McGee, Vince Portillo, Gary Potts, Edwin Torres, Roy Webber, Paul Williams

3/30/09: Alberto Bartolomeo, Brian Cephas, Juan Manuel Jimenez Chavez, Erik Kondziolka, Arnold McCuller, Calixto Oviedo Mulens, Bob "Chips" Pringle, Jimmy Sabater Jr., Paul Souza, Michael Stuart, Christian Templet, Bill Tiller, David Tronzo, Frank Weisen

3/21/09: Stanley "MC Hammer" Burrell,En Esch, Peter Friis, Matts Helén, Kirk Lightsey, Luca Martino, Bill Meehan, Pete Nater, Chauncey Nedd, Brian Palm, William Paredes, Troy Roberts, Al Warrington, Rick Zurkowski

Something new ...

Any gig I do where there's another Cleanhead in the band means a photo-op. Even better if there are multiple Cleanheads!
The rule is that I have to be in it, so please don't send me photos.
Scroll to the bottom of this page, or click here.

This gallery isn't about celebrity or music style; it's about hair - or rather, no hair. So it's just an alphabetical list of musicians who shave their heads. Nobody's featured; Seal, Michael Stipe, Jimmy Cliff and Isaac Hayes are right in there with hundreds of guys you never heard of.

Click on musicians' images to go to their websites. Band associations and instruments are mostly accurate, but I'm sure there are errors. If you're doing research, please double check anything you find here.

If you want to suggest someone to be added, use the link at the top of this page and follow instructions. If you're a bonafide Cleanhead, by all means, add yourself.

My thanks to the many folks who have sent suggestions and spotted errors. Keep 'em coming. Remember that I can't grab an image off of a Flash-based website, so it's a big help when you include an html web address that has a good, clear photo of the musician.

Thanks for visiting.

In a diverse career spanning three decades, keyboardist Pete Levin has performed and recorded with hundreds of Jazz and Pop artists - Paul Simon, Annie Lennox, David Sanborn, Wayne Shorter, Lenny White, Jaco Pastorius, Robbie Robertson and John Scofield - receiving critical praise for his work over a 15 year association with the legendary Gil Evans, and his 8 years with the Jimmy Giuffre Four.

In 2007, Pete revisited his roots and first love, the Hammond Organ, with DEACON BLUES for Motema Records. His 2008 CD release CERTIFIED ORGANIC continues to push the envelope of the traditional organ trio. On top of the grooves laid down by former Hot Tuna drummer Harvey Sorgen and Pete’s organ bass, four veteran guitarists stretch out on the album: ubiquitous New York session guitarist John Cariddi (Steve Marcus, Patti Austin, Ricki Lee Jones), the legendary Joe Beck (Miles Davis, Gil Evans, David Sanborn), Mike DeMicco (Dave Brubeck, Jack DeJohnette), and Jesse Gress (Todd Rundgren, Tony Levin Band). Pete knows how to feature his sidemen, but when it’s time for the Hammond to take charge, he does just that. The organ’s bass is mixed up front as an equal element. This is not your father’s organ trio! The set rocks and grooves hard - not a hint of Smooth Jazz in sight.

In addition to Pete’s originals, the set includes some cover songs that you wouldn't expect to hear with this instrumentation, notably Moacir Santos’s classic NANA, and Jaco Pastorius’s signature TEEN TOWN. Two tracks feature burning sax solos by Erik Lawrence. Pete and Erik tear it up trading 8’s on TEEN TOWN. In contrast, there’s Pete’s poignant arrangement of a Gil Evans classic, WHERE FLAMINGOS FLY, featuring one of Joe Beck's last recorded performances.

Online at

(Spot any more? Help me out here.)

► 4
Liza Minelli Band
(Rick Cutler, Bill Washer, Frank Perowsky & Dale Kirkland)
Mozayik
(Eddy Bourjolly, Gashford Guillaume, Welmyr Jean-Pierre & Markcus Schartz)
SF Jazz Collective
(Joshua Redman, Miguel Zenon, Nicholas Payton & Eric Harland)
► 3
Bluemen Group
(The original 3 guys and all of the offspring, subs, etc.)
Cintron
(Edgardo Cintron, Rocco DePersia & Michael Pedesin)
The Eggs Over Easy Horns
(Pat Bianco, Mark Opas, Pete Levin)
thEROGINNISSZONE
(Carlton Romillie, Rod Youngs & Roger Inniss)
John Esposito Trio
(The whole band! John, Ira Coleman & Peter O'Brien)
The Funk Brothers
(Eddie Willis, Uriel Jones, Johnny Griffith)
Mario Biondi's High Five Quintet
(Mario Biondi, Nerio Poggi & Alessandro Magnanini)
Moodswing
(Pat Bianco, Don Gardner & Pete Levin)
Perfect Chaos
(Panu Heikkinen, Janne Karjalainen & Aki Häkkinen)
Right Said Fred
(Fred Fairbrass, Richard Fairbrass & Matthias "Maze" Meusel)
Robert Sack Band
(Henning Stumm, Stephan Hendrix, Robert Sack)
Steve Smith's Jazz Legacy
(Baron Browne, Walt Weiskopf & Steve Smith)
Take 6
(Claude McKnight, Joey Kibble & Alvin Chea)
Woodstock All-Stars
(Daniel A. Weiss, Tony Levin, Pete Levin)

► 2
5150 (Steve Norde & Bruce McFaul)
AIOIA (Stéphane Sarrazin & Christian Templat)
Baylis/Howard/McCallum (Paul Bayliss & Jon Howard)
Black President (Charlie Paulson & Greg Hetson)
Bob Niederriter Band (Bob Niederriter, Martyn Flunoy)
The Black Spot (Jonathan Red Rossi & William Red Rossi)
The Boneshakers (Nathan Brown & Randy Jacobs)
The Cadillac Kings (Roy Webber & Gary Potts)
Concentual (Brian Thuney & Brian Henz)
The Coverup Band (Reggie Littleton * Keith McGee)
Dharma All-Stars (Brad Mason & John Favicchia)
Dimension X (DR Burkowitz & Dave Hoover)
Dirty Dozen Brass Band (Gregory Davis & Kirk Joseph)
Evolution (Myron Edwins & Jerrol Reavis)
Fishbone (Angelo Moore & John Steward)
The Gang Font (Dave King & Eric Fratzke)
geishaNO (Dani Aberjel & Hagai Shlezinger)
Goldfinger (Charlie Paulson & Darrin Pfeiffer)
The Gypsy Dolls (Vince Portillo & Alfredo Herz)
Inside 4 Walls (Michiel Kip & Bjorn Hijink)
Tomi Jenkins (Tomi Jenkins & Lee Hurst)
JVA (Tim Ellis & Jim Walker)
Shawn Kail Band (Shawn Kail & Keith McGee)
Killswitch Engage (Howard Jones & Justin Foley)
Killteam (Edwin Groenewold & Arnold Havinga)
Mag & The G Spots (Steve Breman & Chris Harris)
Mango Machine (Peter Friis & Matts Helén)
Reduced (Mark "Spark" Williams & Ken "Spleen" Moore)
Run DMC (Joseph "Run" Simmons & Darryl "DMC" McDaniels)
Lamine K. Sene (Lamine K. Sene, Jose Alibo)
Southbound (Drew Rittgers, Roy Fulton)
Spyro Gyra (Scott Ambush, Julio Fernandez)
Trans-Siberian Orchestra (Jay Pierce & Scout)
Trio Loco ("Studio Stu" Chernoff & Dean Sharp)
Uncle Funk (Tony Levin & Pete Levin; occasionally Danny Louis)
Washington Trio Tree (Reggie Washington & Skoota Warner)
Zum (Luciano Pietrafesa & Fumihito Hatano)

Curious about instrumental headcounts? Me too. Here are some approximate numbers:
(They don't add up because double and triple instrument credits confuse the totals - not to mention confusing the web designer.)

373 Vocalists & Rappers
356 Guitar
249 Bass
233 Drums
108 Keyboards
100 Sax
67 Percussion
53 Piano
36 Producers
35 Composers

30 Trumpet
16 Chapman Stick
20 Flute
18 Engineers
16 Trombone
14 Harmonica
    8 Violin
    7 Mandolin
    7 Organ
    4 Banjo

    5 Accordion
    3 Conductors
    3 Tuba
    2 Bagpipes
    2 French Horn
    1 Clarinet
    1 Harpsichord
    1 Lap Steel
    1 Euphonium
    0 Viola (Is this is a viola joke?)

Q: Why do you think there are such high numbers of Cleanhead singers and guitar players?
A: Maybe it helps them get babes. Doesn't work for me, but you might want to try it.

Q: Given the hairstyle constant of the Cleanhead demographic group, does the graph curve showing the diminishing numbers for each instrument of choice reflect any significant artistic, cultural or socio-economic trends?
A: Beats me!

CLEANHEAD GALLERY

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Click on a photo to go to the musician's website

Clean Head ... thinking of trying it?

Plus side
Very comfortable, especially in the summer.
No bad hair days.
Save lots of money on barbers and shampoo.
Instantly look 10 years younger.
When it starts to rain, you're the first to know.
Might be your last shot at a hairstyle.

Minus side
Does the word "Melanoma" ring a bell? Use sunscreen!
Bump your head even slightly and you bleed, baby!
Money saved now spent on razors and sunscreen.
Favorite hats from your hair days now look stupid.
When it gets cold, you're the first to know!
The babes used to love it; Now it's no big deal.

Any gig I do where there's another Cleanhead in the band means a photo-op. Even better if there are multiple Cleanheads! (The rule is that I have to be in it, so please don't send me photos.)
Pete, Bruce Wolfeil (Big Stuff), Tony Levin (Peter Gabriel) Woodstock, NY	Pete, Adam Nussbaum (Dave Liebman), Jay Anderson (Joe Lovano) New Paltz, NY
Pete, Danny Louis (Gov't Mule) Rhinebeck, NY	Pete, Rackalam Bob Moses (Gary Burton) Berklee School. Boston, MA
Pete, Lenny White (Chick Corea), Dennis Chambers (David Sanborn) New York, NY	Luther Rix (Tommy), Eric Lawrence (Levon Helm), Tony Senatore (Mary's Magnet), Andy Rothstein, Pete, Steve Jankowski (Blood, Sweat & Tears) Andy Rothstein Band. Belmar, NJ
Arne Wendt (Bernie Worrell), Pete, Pat Bianco (Mood Swing) Franklin Lakes, NJ	Pete, John Esposito
Pat Bianco (Mood Swing), Pete, Peter O'Brien (Orleans) Franklin Lakes, NJ	Mark Sganga, Don Gardner, Pete Sugarloaf, Maine
Stuart Breed (Art Garfunkle), Pete Woodstock, NY	Pete, Pete Hopkinson (Petey Hop Band) Kingston, NY
Tony Levin (Peter Gabriel), David Rhodes (Peter Gabriel), Pete, Ged Lynch (Peter Gabriel) Foxwoods. Ledyard, CT	Ted Orr (George Clinton), Peter O'Brien (Orleans), Pete Rich Syracuse on top Joyous Lake. Woodstock, NY
Pete, Tony Levin (Peter Gabriel) Zurich, Switzerland	Pete, Nate Thierrien (Berklee School) Berklee School. Boston, MA
Pat Bianco, Marc Opas, Pete Carnegie Deli video shoot New York, NY 1999	Pete, Don Gardner, Mark Sganga Tappan, NY 2010
Nino Antonacci (owner, promoter), Pete Moody Jazz. Foggia, Italy	Pete, Phil Ciganer (owner, promoter) Towne Crier. Pawling, NY
Michele Ruffoni (owner, promoter), Pete Osteria Vineria San Giovanni. Valtellina, Italy	Pete, Tony Levin (Peter Gabriel), Dan Weiss (Joan Osborne) Stewart House. Athens, NY
Pete & Pete poster Valtellina, Italy	Laura Passera (promoter), Pete, Pete Poster Stradella, Italy

Bald and proud of it - a mystery

Touring Europe and the U.S. in 2006, the Tony Levin Band played a club on Elba Island, Italy and discovered this sign above the liquor storage room, which is not even in a public area. Roughly translated it means "I'm bald and I'm proud of it." We never found out who put it there or when or why - the current owner has plenty of hair.