No Shave November #13: Hey everyone, Im back again with another No Shave November post! I took todays picture after an excellent day with my students, so I was all smiles for this one! They filled up their rewards jar (meaning theyll get a pizza party next Friday), and I gotta say Im just as excited as they are. And with how my beard is growing back, I can only imagine how scruffy Ill look by then! Anyway, heres tonights Beard and Mental Health heroes! Beard Hero of the Day - Mike Portnoy: The former drummer and founding member of the progressive metal band Dream Theater, Mike Portnoy is one of the most talented individuals to pick up a pair of drum sticks. Since his debut with Dream Theater in 1984, Portnoy has earned 29 awards from Modern Drummer magazine and is the second youngest person ever to be entered into the publications illustrious Hall of Fame. Portnoys musical talents extend far beyond the drums - he produced six of Dream Theaters albums and oversaw the direction of nearly every album the band released during his time with them. Though he left Dream Theater in 2010, Portnoy continues to write and perform music through his current band, The Winery Dogs, a group Id highly recommend to anyone whos a fan of classic rock. Recently, Portnoy has begun sporting a beard as impressive as his chops on the drums. I mean damn, look at how well shaped that thing is! Its fantastic! While Im unsure how I feel about Portnoy dying his goatee, I have to admit its a bold statement in the world of beard fashion. I dont think Id ever do it myself, but then again my beard is already a bit unique because it comes out red despite my brown hair. But hey, who says genetics makes sense anyway!? Mental Health Hero of the Day - John Frusciante: A former member of the Red Hot Chili Peppers and a virtuoso on the six string, John Frusciante is among the most talented musicians of our time. Ranked number 18 on Rolling Stones list of The Greatest 100 Guitar Players of All Time, and voted as The Best Guitarist of the Last 30 Years, by the BBC, Frusciantes masterful guitar work has received universal acclaim since RHCP broke onto the scene in 1988. One of Frusciantes most frequently stated strengths as musician, according to reviewers, is his ability to know when to unleash his incredible talent and when to let the tone and melody of his instrument shine through. This is a very important talent to have, as many other virtuoso players would sooner assault the ears of their listeners with a flurry of notes instead of allowing their guitars to speak through subtlety. Despite his remarkable talent, however, Frusciante has suffered with overwhelming depression throughout his career, which hit its peak when he left the Red Hot Chili Peppers for the first time in 1992. Feeling that his life was over and that he could no longer play guitar, Frusciante became addicted to heroin in an attempt to combat his melancholy. Frusciante eventually overcame his addiction and depression through a series of visits to rehabilitation clinics and his decision to embrace an ascetic lifestyle. Later, Frusciante rejoined the Red Hot Chili Peppers in 1998 and went on to make huge contributions on two of their most popular albums - Californication and Stadium Arcadium. Though Frusciante has once again left the band, the impact he had on the group is undeniable and it is a great shame that he did not attend their induction to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2012. For his incredible contribution to one of the most popular rock bands of the 21st century, as well as the way he was able to overcome both addiction and depression to rejoin the Chili Peppers, Frusciante has rightly earned the title of Mental Health Hero.
Posted on: Thu, 13 Nov 2014 01:46:09 +0000
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