Famous 'dos of the 80s

Sadly, given our advancing ages, most of us are well beyond having to worry about frosted highlights, extra-strength hairgel and other hirsute adventures.

But that doesn't mean we can't drag our hairy heroes through the mud again. I mean, come on, Limahl. Are there fishing lines holding those hairstrands up?

Today's challenge: Name were the best celebrity/musician hairdos of the 80s.

I'm just jealous, because I was born with Pete Rose hair -- completely straight, fly-away hair that refuses to conform to any modern style. Unless I use tons of gel, but then I look like Crispin Glover.

Feel free to consider actors, celebrities and musicians for the list. Here are some obvious inclusions:

MIKE SCORE (A Flock of Seagulls): Perhaps the poster man-child for interesting hair. Sadly, he's bald now. (And he says he hates playing "I Ran" -- go figure.)

HOWARD JONES: His hair is sorta halfway between Mike Score's and that MTV Veejay Alan Hunter. Sadly, these days he looks more like Christopher Lloyd in "Back to the Future."

THE B-52s: Just Kate and Cindy. Fred looks just fine.

AIMEE MANN ('Til Tuesday): Once sported the infamous "rat tail," which really should be the official hair accessory of the '80s.

ANNABELLA LWIN (Bow Wow Wow): She went mohawk -- and au natural -- for an album cover. One problem. She wasn't 18 yet.

Add your nominations to the list. We'll unveil the final ranking on a later date. In the meantime, go visit a stylist and ask for the featured look. Time to bring back a classic!

Comments

[Horatio]

Billy Idol Had some hair, so did Steve Stevens

[Horatio]

Billy Idol Had some hair, so did Steve Stevens

[Horatio]

Billy Idol Had some hair, so did Steve Stevens

[Spearsy]

I thought it was this episode:

http://pod.sptimes.com/stuckinthe80s065.mp3

I could be wrong.

[ian]

Spears, which podcast was the Police one? I just took a look and can't seem to find it.

...should I be asking Jane this question?

Thanks.

[Anna]

Did anyone mention Grace Jones? She was extreme all over! I believe I still have my rat tail somewhere. I had mine on the right to balance out the double piercing on the left ear. I let my bangs grow long and curly to cover one eye for the sole purpose of annoying my mother. I never wore leg warmers (or multiple socks) and I ripped the shoulder pads out of everything so I wouldn't look like a linebacker. I also chose to wear my shirts one at a time.

[Douglas Arthur]

Yes, Toyah! Watch her in action in Urgh! a Music War! She has Wolverine-ish hair there. She still performs concerts, but is more a theater actress these days. In 1986 she married my favorite guitarist and close personal friend...ok not that close...Robert Fripp of King Crimson fame. (Fripp is also most famous for playing with the likes of Peter Gabriel, David Bowie, Talking Heads, Blondie, Daryl Hall, and many more)

[John]

Just rockers? Ted Koppel had crazy hair in the 80s.

[Tina]

What about Toyah? I remember seeing one of her videos (can't remember the song) with her careening down what looked like a runway, in a chariot, sporting the wildest bright red mohawk.

[Rosie]

The dapper dandies of ABC and Spandau Ballet still look good, too. Frontmen Tony Hadley and Martin Fry. They did have some fine hair, both of them.

[Spearsy]

I think that was our Police podcast, wasn't it? The rum bags in my pants story. Followed by the barfing date. Then finding the other female friend from high school wandering the halls of my dorm.

Surreal night for sure. There are details I had to leave out too. So imagine how much more interesting it got.

[jane]

I love those small world stories... how cool that y'all were both at that Stones gig.

I myself was at the Sting/Dream of the Blue Turtles show in Gainesville that Mr. Spears references on some podcast whose theme escapes me at the moment. Although my experience was not nearly as interesting as his...

[Douglas Arthur]

Yeah Jane, the club was a converted White Tower hamburger joint so not very large at all. Cult of Personality hadn't quite hit the big time yet. I was a month shy of my 21st birthday, and the bouncer stared at my license for a long time trying to figure out the math, and finally decided to let me in...otherwise i would have missed out on the experience...still one of my faves of all time. I saw them on the Steel Wheels tour also at the Carrier Dome in Syracuse. When I told the story, Sean mentioned he was at that show too! Small world.

Tonianne, sorry, didn't mean to be a dream killer. I was only inquiring if it was okay to reference a comic book character, and not a real person. BTW, Jason Statham rocks! Not 80's but still effing cool.

[jane]

I saw Living Colour open for the Stones on the Steel Wheels tour... pretty frickin' amazing.

Although being that up close and personal to Vernon and Corey -- plus Chris Cornell... oh my.

[Douglas Arthur]

Oh, yeah, Marissa,
I got a chance to see Living Colour up close and personal at a small club here in Albany back in '88. (Vernon Reid was close enough to touch...though he probably would have kicked my a s s ). Corey's hair was like another performer. Like the mythical Medusa, with a head of churning snakes. If he whipped his head around enough, I thought for sure he would achieve liftoff.

Sidenote fun...opening act that night was a little known band from Seattle named Soundgarden, and I thought they sucked...shows how much I know.

I told the story of the concert experience on the scuttled Penn And Teller podcast, which is too bad...but now I get to tell it again someday. :)

Oh, hey thought of another person with distinctive hair from the 80's....Weird Al Yankovic! Not outrageous by any means, but very unique head of ringlets and curls...when he straightened it for the "Oh Ricky" video, I didn't recognize him at all.

[Marissa]

"Niagra Falls! Step by step. Inch by inch ...slowly I turn .."

IRON MAN rocks! Seriously, great tunage in that bad boy. Opens with "Back in Black" ~ you can't help but feel the dynamic energy with that sort of welcome.

[Tonianne]

Tony Stark's NOT real-life folk?

Doug, you're a dream-killer, my friend.

Next you'll be telling me Jason Statham/The Transporter is fictional as well.

[Douglas Arthur]

just my 2 cents late in the game...long weekend at Niagara Falls! Love the Maid Of The Mist! Anyway, are we strictly speaking about real life folk? Since, for me, a definitive hairstyle of the 80's was Wolverine/Logan's from the X-Men...especially the John Byrne/Terry Austin issues.

Point 2. Sinead was definitely a product of the 80's. The Lion And The Cobra was '87. And she pretty much flamed out after ripping up a picture of the Pope in '91 or so.

Point 3. Another 80's moment in Iron Man...while he is in his workshop, Tony Stark is listening to one of your favorite songs from Repo Man, Spearsy...though they never quite let it get to the "All I wanted was a Pepsi" chorus.

More later, after I finish wringing out my clothes...all that mist from the Falls dontchaknow.

[Marissa]

I mentioned these rockin' gents last night, but I fully believe a visual aid will further demonstrate my point:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZ5SVDYBNrY

Living Colour: Cult of Personality. Lead singer Corey Glover's 'do took on a life of its own. Long braids on top; shaved back and sides.

[Marissa]

Two Words: DON KING
Who can forget that Troll Doll do? He wasn't exactly an entertainer, but he was entertaining. In 1984 he managed the Jackson's Victory tour, but more infamously managed Mike Tyson.

[Ian from Down Under]

My 2 last offerings.

Grace Jones - There's something about a crew cut on a woman.

And last but not least, Nena. Although she has learnt how to shave under her arms.

[Ian from Down Under]

i think every band/artist from the 80's tried to have their own look. At least with so many different styles, it forced us to invent ones ourselves. Although most of my inventions never did take off. But it wouldn't be a post from me without adding an Aussie influence. Although baldies have been mentioned in earlier postings, still can't beat the over all package of 6 foot 100 inch funny dancing bald man, Peter Garrett from Midnight Oil. You remember those "one hit wonders" don't you Steve.

[Ian from Down Under]

I know I'm late into this, but how about Daryl Hannah in Splash. That darn hair just wouldn't blow in the wind.

[Emily]

What about River Phoenix and his floppy hair. I watched Running on Empty on the weekend and his hair was a beautiful thing to see.

For the Aussies, you can't go past John Farnham's long mullet-like locks from the Whispering Jack days.

[Jeff]

Ill leave you two alone now...take care g nite

[Marissa]

lol I never had any issues in them, Steve. I guess you won't be invited to chillax with me.

Isn't abouttime for you to go home?

[Spears]

Papasanchairs are the tool of the devil. They break like a pair of chopsticks.

[Jeff]

Papasanchair.com...and target carries 449 different beanbag chairs

[Marissa]

I prefer the Papasan chair over a bean bag chair. I had a double sized one that I often zoned out in.

[Jeff]

You could get a love sack and throw a Breakfast club commerative thow over it. It will do the trick. Awesome on the drink hat. please post pics and wear in public

[Tonianne]

Members Only jackets? Same effect as beer-dispensing helmets.

Just saying.

[Spears]

Do they still sell bean bags? And do they come in size XXL?

In related news, I am buying a beer-dispensing helmet soon. That should be a fun "prop" -- yeah, just a prop.

[Jeff]

heaven help me...

[jane]

hahahaha! I found the Police artwork. Most excellent. And yes, Stewart fared the best -- I assume you were going for the debil, but it was reminiscent of Inigo Montoya.

Reminds me of what I used to do to the photos in my American history textbook in high school.

[Tonianne]

I so love the headphones scene, Steve.

And Jeff - "Sister Moon", so not a BM kinda groove.

[Jeff]

Steve, you should get them now. the ladies really dig them. You would be real fly with that gear

[Marissa]

I am not a Demi Moore fan, but due to the co-stars in "... About Last night" I enjoyed the movie.

[Spears]

You're talking "About Last Night," Jeff, which is an absolute classic and needs to be a podcast subject very, very soon.

It made me want to buy a beanbag and get stereo headphones back in '86.

[Jeff]

If you take the songs written by Andy Summers right off your IPOD the police are a great band. Sting went really really soft but there was fire there in the beginning. Now sting is woostastic. You can play any sting song sandwiched between Michael Bolten and Phil Collins and it makes a sad and smooth easy listening bowel movement

[jane]

Them's fightin' words, Mr. Spears.

I don't believe I've had the pleasure (and I use that term with tongue firmly in cheek) to read that diatribe.

Although I might have to check out the art, just to test my mettle.

[Matt Katz]

...Cause I'm a blonde, B.L.O.N.D...cause i'm a blonde, don't you wish you were me. ..

[Jeff]

If your gonna have a demi moore movie it would have to be the one with rob lowe. or I hate to say it. the one where she hit the pole. with the bandit himself. Burt Renyolds

[jane]

Honesly, I don't think I have 17 hours worth of material on said subject... must remedy that.

[Spears]

Jane, did you ever read my rambling diatribe where I feebly try to make the point that the Police are overrated and only Sting was worth listening to?

Not my greatest moment, but I did have some nice Photoshopped art on the blog item.

[Marissa]

I watched Earth Girls Are Easy yesterday. Great soundtrack.

[Spears]

It's hard to think of Sinead as being an 80s person. Try as I might.

And then I start confusing her with Demi Moore in "GI Jane."

And by no means should I even admit that I've seen -- must less own -- that movie.

[Tonianne]

Do stop, Jane.

Despite the fact that (almost) everything loses its appeal after 17 hours straight, it is clearly not "Stewart and the Other Guys."

[Jeff]

I think that Sinead Oconnor had the best hair of the 80s. Everyone wanted to see if she was hot with hair. And she was. Dressed like a freak too.

[Spears]

God help all of you if I continue chatting online once the bottle emptying begins about 12:15 a.m.

It will NOT be pretty.

Hopefully VH1 Classic will have something on in the wee hours to entertain me.

[Spears]

No drinking for me tonight until I get off work sometime after midnight.

In the meantime, I'm treating myself to an 80s playlist I found on IMEEM.com.

Right now, "Send Me An Angel" is playing, which of course only reminds of the "love scene" in the painfully awful "Teen Wolf Too."