On March 18, longtime Malibu resident and hairdresser Colin McPhee passed away in London of a heart attack at the age of 50.
“Malibu lost one of its greatest rockstars,” a loved one shared.
Colin was born on Jan. 22, 1965 in Glasgow, Scotland. When he was a child, his family moved to London. He found inspiration in the London punk scene and began to cut and style hair as a teenager. After London, he travelled Europe and America until he arrived in L.A.
Colin was a renowned barber in Malibu, first at Manecutters Salon and later at Salon Eco. With his large scissors, searing wit and biting humor, he always gave more than just a haircut.
“Always unafraid to speak his mind, his honesty served to inspire us to have more courage and to be less afraid of being ourselves,” a loved one said. “Most of Malibu sat in his chair at some point, men and women, from the school kids to the rich and famous. He loved Malibu and Malibu loved him.”
At the time of his death, Colin was working at Angel Cuts Salon in London, but dreamed of coming back to Malibu one day. On a recent Facebook post, he proudly informed his friends he was 100% Californian.
“With Colin by your side, you became cooler than you ever were, the world was your oyster with this pearl of a man as your unlikely and unruly companion,” a close friend of Colin’s shard. “A true ‘Renegade Blade,’ he danced to his own tune and soundtrack. Malibu will never be as cool without Colin.”
Colin is survived by his parents, Jesse and Ron McPhee; sister Avril; son Kirk, grandson Mason; and his dog Lottie. He is also survived by his Malibu friends; his American parents, Jane and Ernie Jenewein; and American sister Daryle.
Funeral services will take place at 1:45 p.m., Wed. April 1 at Hither Green Crematorium, Verdant Lane Catford, England. A tribute and memorial took place on March 22 in Malibu.