The Top 10 Rock Stars Of Santa Fe

Santa Fe, NM is such a small city -- less than 100,000 people -- but the concentration of talent, genius, and stardom is staggering. Here is our list of Santa Fe's Top 10 Rock Stars:

10. Shirley MacLaine

Shirley MacLaine -- Academy Award-winning actress (and older sister of Warren Beaty) is a longtime Santa Fe resident who has caught Santa Fe's infamous "new age bug". Aside from her illustrious acting career, MacLaine is well known for her belief in aliens, mysticism, and dimensional travel.

9. Meow Wolf

Meow Wolf -- This art collective from Santa Fe has taken the world by storm with their collaborative, massive, immersive art exhibits. The group -- most of the artists are in their 20's and 30's -- is one of the hottest names in contemporary art. Meow Wolf has constructed shows in Chicago, Miami, San Antonio, and an upcoming exhibit in NYC.

Oh, and they throw the best parties in town (thanks to DJ Dirt Girl and PFFP)

www.meowwolf.com

8. Alan Webber

Alan Webber -- This Santa Fe resident is currently vying to be New Mexico's Democratic nominee for Governor. Webber is the creator of the hyper-successful Fast Company Magazine and is considered one of the most brilliant business minds of the 21st century. Webber is partially credited with triggering the booming creative economy in Portland, Oregon. And yes... he wants NM to Legalize Marijuana.

7. Pictureplane (Travis Egedy)

Pictureplane -- An up-n-coming cultural icon of the internet's 21st century, Travis Egedy was born and raised in Santa Fe and is an emerging force in electronic pop music, fashion, and art. Egedy's debut album Dark Rift is widely considered a turning point in popular music, bringing forth a chill wave of freak and club-inspired electronic and R&B. Egedy is a well-respected fashion designer and visual artist in addition to music producer.

6. Javier Gonzales

Javier Gonzales -- The newly-elected Mayor of Santa Fe is also newly out-of-the-closet. Gonzales is a rising star in the Democratic Party and ran-away with his Mayoral race, beating longtime Santa Fe politicians by more than 15%. Gonzales is considered the new and vibrant face of a new and vibrant Santa Fe, focusing on creating an environment where young creatives can thrive. Young, gay, and progressive -- three ingredients to the new City Different.

5. Zach Condon (Beirut)

Zach Condon -- Zach Condon is a bonafide music star, the brains behind one of the biggest Indie Bands of the 21st Century, Beirut. Condon was born and raised in Santa Fe before moving to Brooklyn to begin his music career. With his explosive first-album, Gulag Orkestar, Condon placed himself as a new generation's musical genius, held in the same conversations with Byrne, Eno, and Wilson.

4. Tom Ford

Tom Ford -- Did you know this fashion behemoth and acclaimed filmmaker grew up in Santa Fe? A graduate of Santa Fe Prep in 1979, Tom Ford has gone on to fashion-fame by revitalizing Gucci and now standing alone as one of the top lines in all of fashion. His 2009 film, A Single Man, was nominated for an Academy Award. Oh yeah... and Jay-Z recently released a song called "Tom Ford".

3. Gene Hackman

Gene Hackman -- This badass actor is a longtime Santa Fe resident. He is such a staple that locals don't even flinch when they see him around town. Hackman is one of the most celebrated actors of our time, and twice an Academy Award Winner (The French Connection, Unforgiven). Hackman's most recent fan-favorite appearance came in Wes Anderson's The Royal Tenenbaums. The man is undeniable royalty.

Oh, and he also slapped a Santa Fe homeless man in self-defense.

2. Cormac McCarthy

Cormac McCarthy -- He is one of the greatest American novelists to ever live, and he is a Santa Fe resident. Cormac McCarthy is the author of The Road, No Country For Old Men, and All The Pretty Horses -- three novels that have been converted into Hollywood films -- and his collection of award-winning novels is even larger. McCarthy can often times be seen at The Santa Fe Institute, a think-tank of the greatest minds living in Santa Fe.

1. George R.R. Martin

George R.R. Martin -- The King himself is at the top of our list. George R.R. Martin, the man behind the biggest fantasy series since Lord of The Rings, has been a Santa Fe resident for decades. His A Song of Fire & Ice series became Game of Thrones, the most successful HBO television series ever. Game of Thrones is an absolute juggernaut in pop culture, and Martin is the man behind the brilliance. In March of 2014, Santa Fe Mayor Javier Gonzales proclaimed March 29th as George R.R. Martin Day, and Martin's movie theater -- The Jean Cocteau Cinema -- was home to the Season 4 World Premiere of Game of Thrones.

George R.R. Martin is known in the community of Santa Fe as a very generous and kind man, and can often be seen at his theater hanging out with local fans.