Rock stars and rock music history have given us some crazy hairstyles so far, and will probably continue to do so in the future. At times, it was almost like a rock music career required one to get the most eye-catching and jaw-dropping hairstyle possible and then use a lot of hair spray to keep it that way.
In the history of rock music, musicians have sported reverse mohawks, icy blond locks, and the messiest mops of black hair. In fact, some rock musicians are still recognized more for their funky hair than their music. Take a look at some of the craziest examples below:
David Bowie’s Ziggy Stardust Style
Throughout his career, David Bowie transformed himself into several characters. One of the most famous of these was that of Ziggy Stardust, who sported a large star over one of his eyes and had flaming red hair. The transformation was said to be one of the most iconic moments in the history of music.
Bowie’s hair was especially striking here; not only was it a Ronald McDonald red, but the style consisted of a quaff at the front and a mullet party at the back. Needless to say, this is one unforgettable look even when compared with the rest of the rock music industry.
However, the hair and the role of this character weren’t just random. It was a turning point in Bowie’s career, one that marked the connection between his songs and his preferred image. In a sense, he wasted to embody an alien with the androgynous cut and the bright red hair. The eyes and makeup were all calculated to bring about an intergalactic look–reminiscent of his work “Life on Mars”.
Mike Score
When we’re talking about rock musicians using a lot of hairspray, Mike Score probably tops the list. There is a story behind that Flock of Seagulls look, which is comprised of spiked-up hair but with a downward swoop right in the middle. That swoop also covers one eye, adding to the dramatic and eccentric effect.
As the story goes, it is said that Score just had his hair spiked up when another band member smacked him on his head. This resulted in the downward swoop, which resembles a seagull in flight.
However, it wasn’t just the look of the haircut that resulted in the Flock of Seagulls name. This was the band’s name at the time the scuffle between the band members happened. Fed Mausley and Mike Score were trying to use the mirror at the same time, while Score was trying to perfect a Bowie look, the poof mullet. However, he had to go on stage with that weird swoop down the middle of his head. Surprisingly, the crowd was ecstatic about the hair, so much so that it became the signature style for Score. The craze went on for a whole decade before fading.
Keith Flint
Keith Flint probably gave some thought to his edgy hairstyle, and finally decided that a mixture of Bozo the Clown and the Joker from Batman would be the perfect combo. He cut his hair in a male-pattern baldness style and dyed the remaining locks in brilliant neon colors. If the lighting is just right, the style looks very similar to devil horns, which might have been his intent all along.
While this style might not be everyone’s cup of tea, rock star hairstyles are probably meant to go against the flow in any case. This style might disturb some people and make others angry or confused. At the end of the day, however, this is what makes a crazy rock hairstyle successful and memorable.
Billy Idol
Billy Idol’s classic spiked and ice blonde hair might not be too crazy, but it was quite a unique choice in the face of the usual fashion for long-haired rockers in the middle of the 1970s. He still carries this style today.
When the Billy Idol style first came along, it quickly became very popular among his fans. In fact, anyone can easily emulate this hairstyle just by getting some gel, a box of bleach, and probably a good set of hair clippers.
Since punk was also very popular in the latter half of the 80s, it was quite common to see spiky and dyed hair on any street in America. Clean, pretty-boy cuts were just as popular. No matter what one’s personal choice might be, Billy Idol still remains a well-known name in the world of music.
John Lydon
Some of us might pick up professional hair straighteners to turn our hair frizzy, straight, or wavy. A rock star like John Lydon, aka Johnny Rotten of the Sex Pistols, had other ideas. His whacky, bright red hairstyle was achieved by turning his whole head upside down, and rubbing in copious amounts of hair gel while the hair was still wet. Since he was a member of a punk rock group, it’s understandable why Lydon would go to such lengths for a unique and outrageous hairstyle.
The hair gel in this method gave the style a string hold, allowing the musician to perform for hours without experiencing a droop in his spikes. While the actual length of his hair was rarely over two inches, Lydon managed to make the most of it. The result was that his hairstyle was one of the most copied among the punk subculture during the 1970s.It was also quite mainstream in the following decade.
According to Lydon himself, the real color of his hair is mousy-brown. However, he still prefers to wear his hair in that punk style, the only difference being a receding forehead and some different cuts throughout the years to reflect his aging. His style symbolized his belief of anarchy being preferable to the rigid legal system. Whether we agree with him or not, there’s no denying that his style and belief system were very popular back then and might still hold relevance with certain groups today.
Conclusion
Some might say that rock musicians are kind of like cartoon characters for adult music lovers. From the hairstyles we’ve seen above, this observation is quite an apt one. Discussing all those musicians might have put you in the mood for some rock music though, so check out some great sound systems to get the best experience.
There is no doubt the British invasion had a HUGE impact on Pop Culture and at the forefront were the Beatles. Check out their amazing run at the top of the charts from IlluminatingFacts.com:
