John Philip Sousa

“The March King conducted 136 marches and one magnificent beard-and-mustache combo.”

86STACH SCORE

✂ Chevron Historical Figure Era: 1890s Born 1854

Is this a Legendary Stach?

Stach Stats

Stash Power85

Ruggedness60

Curl Factor10

Legend Status84

Stats are for entertainment purposes. The mustache committee's decisions are final and occasionally arbitrary.

Style: Chevron
Peak Era: 1890s
Born: 1854
Fan Votes: 0 legendary · 0 meh

The Story

About John Philip Sousa

John Philip Sousa (1854–1932) was born in Washington, D.C., the son of a U.S. Marine Band trombonist. He apprenticed in the Marine Band at 13, led it from 1880 to 1892, and then formed his own civilian Sousa Band, which toured the world for nearly 40 years.

He composed 136 marches, including "The Stars and Stripes Forever" (1896), the official national march of the United States, "Semper Fidelis" (the U.S. Marine Corps march), and "The Washington Post" (1889). He also wrote operettas, novels, and the specifications for the sousaphone.

During World War I he led the Navy Band at Great Lakes at the age of 62. He died in 1932 after conducting a rehearsal; the last piece he led was "The Stars and Stripes Forever."

The Verdict

Why the Stach Became Iconic

In his prime Sousa wore a full dark beard and mustache; in later years the beard gave way to a thick, neatly trimmed mustache beneath his pince-nez and above the high collar of his band uniform. It is the definitive bandleader\'s mustache, and it has conducted more Fourth of July parades than any other.

On the Record

Notable Moments

Director, U.S. Marine Band (1880–1892)
The Washington Post march (1889)
The Stars and Stripes Forever (1896)
Semper Fidelis (1888)
Sousa Band world tours (1892–1931)

Fun Facts

The sousaphone was built to his specifications in the 1890s.
"The Stars and Stripes Forever" was designated the national march of the United States in 1987.
He was an avid trapshooter and is in the Trapshooting Hall of Fame.