San Jose's Rock 'n Roll Barber Is On the Move

SAN JOSE (KCBS) - Some are calling it the end of an era. There aren't too many "old school" barbershops left anywhere in the Bay Area, and now there's even one less, as a legendary San Jose barber is throwing in the towel. He's been trimming the locks of San Jose State University students for close to 50 years, but the so-called "rock 'n roll barber" has given his last cut there.

There's been something of a "buzz" around the barbershop on S. 10th St., across from campus, for the lat 47 years. That's how long Ken Parker has been cutting hair there.

"First haircut I gave in this barbershop I think was $1.75," he reminisced.

KCBS' Mike Colgan Reports:

Parker is being forced to move because the building's owner has other plans for the space. Surprisingly, he isn't all that sad about it.

"Actually I'm kind of happy," he offered. "I've been in these four walls for a long time and I'm kind of looking forward to something new."

That "something new" is a barbershop in Milpitas, where he hopes the overwhelming majority of his customers will follow him.

One of the main attractions - besides the haircuts - is the bee-bopping music, something that hasn't changed in Parker's shop since he first sharpened his shears.

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