If you’re going to make it in pop, you better have a good hairdresser. Just ask Brian May, Gene Simmons, Aretha Franklin, Busta Rhymes and Stevie Nicks. Here are ten of my favourite hair icons in music. Check out the Irish Independent’s Insider Magazine today for this week’s list of Summer Jams.
Listen to the Spotify playlist
Little Richard – Tutti Frutti
The ’50s entertainer and his shiny conk were ahead of their time, predating Prince by a good 27 years. With his pencil-thin mustache at the age of 81, he still looks like an original rock’n’roller.
Elvis Presley – I Need Your Love Tonight
The most famous quiff in pop culture left millions weak at the knees.
T-Rex – Ride A White Swan
As Glam as rock’n’roll got in the follicle department, Marc Bolan combined his perm with eyeliner and painted teardrops for the “I ain’t no square / with my corkscrew hair” look.
David Bowie – Suffragette City
The long red mulleted mane helped define Bowie’s most famous creation. No not the Jareth in Labyrinth, Ziggy Stardust of course!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aSQ0LWnFx7w
Rick James – Bustin’ Out (On Funk)
The funkateer was inspired by the Masai Tribe to put braids into his hair. He went larger than any of them by adding beads too.
The Cure – The Lovecats
Robert Smith’s messy goth crop is the definition of two things: a) teenage rebellion and b) the outcome of accidentally poring a can of Coke on your head. Hair don’t cry.
Sinead O’Connor – Mandinka
A bigger statement than any hair style, still to this day for any woman, is a bald head. Interestingly, in the Nothing Compares 2 U video, O’Connor actually has some hair on her head.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MtGaSGpahyU
Amy Winehouse – Rehab
As infamous as her voice, her troubles with addiction and her relationship, Amy’s beehive stayed tall and bouffant through it all.
Sia – Chandelier
The Australian singer’s blonde crop is iconic enough, it started a #siaselfie picture meme earlier this year.
La Roux – Bulletproof
A more subtle homage to the towering achievements of ’80s hair pop icons A Flock Of Seagulls, Elly Jackson’s wavy ginger cut looks like it got caught in a wind tunnel.
Niall Byrne is the founder of the most-influential Irish music site Nialler9, where he has been writing about music since 2005 . He is the co-host of the Nialler9 Podcast and has written for the Irish Times, Irish Independent, Cara Magazine, Sunday Times, Totally Dublin, Red Bull and more. Niall is a DJ, founder of Lumo Club, club promoter, event curator and producer of gigs, listening parties & events in Dublin.
