Our modern princes : Top gorgeous male celebrities with dazzling long manes

Have you seen an episode of Voltes V? It’s a Japanese anime TV series that was first aired in the late 70’s and was extremely popular in Asia during the Gen X era.

Like every other little kid in our neighborhood, I was a big fan of Voltes V watching the half an hour daily back to back episodes religiously right after I finished my homework. Unlike the other kids though, I was not interested in Voltes V the robot or the Voltes Team composed of Steve, Mark, Big Bert, Little John and Jamie as much as I was interested in the lead characters’ half brother, the cruel villain from the planet Boazan named Prince Zardoz. I guess I tricked my friends when I said I liked the character with the long hair best. They all thought I was referring to the pretty Ninja fighter Jamie, not knowing that I had my eyes set on the Boazanian royalty with the long blonde mane and gorgeous face. Back then, in the world of robots and anime, Prince Zardoz was a rockstar.

So I grew up to become an average normal adult, thank you very much. However, my childhood fascination for good looking Princes in my favorite TV shows back in the day made a lasting impression on my subconscious. Although most of my colleagues and male friends that I hang around with are clean cut bordering on preppy which I don’t really have a problem with, I still look for the face of a Prince Zardoz look-alike that one day may just suddenly show up in the crowd. Well, at the rate things are going, that may take a long time or may never happen at all.

In the reel and the rock and roll world of celebrities, there have been sporadic offerings of gorgeousness from the few modern “princes” of our time who sported long manes at some point in their young and carefree lives.

So here’s my list. Some of them came from way, way back and I have the mighty You Tube to thank for letting me discover their existence, first of all, their amazing talents, their youthful charm and gorgeous long locks.

· James Iha of The Smashing Pumpkins / A Perfect Circle/ Tinted Windows

James stands out not because he’s the only Asian American member of his rock bands but because he always sports an interesting hair do. His multi-colored, multi-layered streaked hair fits his lead guitars image perfectly although he scored best when he came up with his solo album Let It Come Down in 1998 which showed a more sophisticated, softer and happier side of his personality and musical forte.

· Eric Martin of Mr. Big / Eric Martin Band

Eric’s long mane, skinny frame and handsome face not to mention his vocal prowess and amazing talent for writing ballads (Check out To Be With You and Just Take My Heart music videos) are instrumental in earning supergroup Mr. Big a huge following all over the world. In his younger days, Eric did not need a scepter and crown to look like His Royal Highness.

· Rod Stewart of Faces

I didn’t really know Rod Stewart prior to Some Guys Have All the Luck until I saw his earlier videos on You Tube. The 70’s heartthrob not only wowed his audience with his amazing raspy rock star voice but with his Victorian costumes, rugged handsomeness and best of all, his long blonde hair. He said in one of his interviews that he’s a peroxide blonde but that only added brownie points to his interesting personality and boyish charms.

· Leonardo DiCaprio in the film The Man in the Iron Mask

Leo as King Louis XIV and Philippe played the roles like a real prince complete with costumes, regal look and attitude. Enough said.

· Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt and Antonio Banderas in the film Interview with the Vampire

The film was something that I did not want to watch twice during its premiere in the mid-90’s because it was too dark and gory for me but Lestat, Louis and Armand were a bunch of good looking vampires. No doubt about that. If only they didn’t have to look so pale.

· Andy Taylor, John Taylor and Nick Rhodes of Duran Duran

The fab five were all headturners but Andy’s, John’s and Nick’s hair do’s made the three guys a little bit more interesting and pleasing to the eyes. Simon and Roger are also cute especially during their prime but they never experimented with their looks. I won’t say they’re boring, just on the safe side.

· Steve Perry of Journey, Robin Zander of Cheap Trick and Robert Plant of Led Zeppelin

These guys were way ahead of my generation but on You Tube during their heyday, they were the gods of rock and roll. Long hair, skinny bods and out of this world vocals.

There are many others that I most certainly must have missed but for now, this is my list. I won’t put the pen down just yet and keep the list open as technology may bring in newer discoveries.

Please feel free to add your own preferences.

As for me, Prince Zardoz still ranks up the highest on my list and I know exactly why. It’s because he’s just a product of somebody’s imagination and amazing drawing skills so he’s unrealistically perfect so no one can take his place.

Well, maybe James will … but only if he makes another solo album :D

Author recommends :

Revisiting Voltes V : My childhood mentor, rock star and superhero