5. Merlyn: One man you have definitely seen around Montrose is Merlyn because he is unmistakable. Leaning on his carven wizards staff he limps through the streets with a smile and a wave on his way to purchase magical artifacts at Magic Cauldron. Omar Afra managed to track down his story for Free Press Houston on film, and believe me it is worth the watch.
4. Little Joe Washington: Very few people top our elder blues statesman in terms of cred and cachet. Whatever cool thing you do, Little Joe has been doing longer tan you've been alive and makes it sound better in a song in any case. Into his '80s and still kicking it as hard as he ever did, you still see him riding his bike and hoofing it to and from gigs. Everyone loves Little Joe.
3. Juan Carlos: The infamous Montrose rollerblade dancer recently became an Internet sensation when a YouTube video of his performance went viral. For 15 years he has been entertaining people on the streets of Houston with shakes and shimmies. He always brings a smile to the face of everyone he encounters.
2. Christian Kidd: The face of punk in Houston is that of Christian Kidd zooming around on his endless series of scooters, defiant mohawk cutting the air through traffic like a shark fin. Even after a bad car accident landed him in the hospital and he was being wheeled through the emergency room on a bed he still had people all over the ward screaming, "It's the guy from the Hates!" When people know who you are in the middle of a medical emergency that's tough to beat.
1. Billy Gibbons: Even among all the other musicians in the world Billy Gibbons with his trademark beard and glasses stands out. That said, what makes him ultra-special is what happens when you meet him. I've clerked at two different establishments where he has just walked in and been a normal customer, and he is always the most down to earth and friendly person you could ever want to meet. Ask anyone that has ever served him as a waiter, ticket taker, whatever, and they'll tell you that Billy Gibbons is exactly what they want people to think of when they think of Houston.
He's larger than life, he's polite, he's one of a kind, and he's completely awesome.
Jef With One F is a recovering rock star taking it one day at a time. You can read about his adventures in The Bible Spelled Backwards or connect with him on Facebook.
