new thread
The latest issue of "People" magazine features lists of best and worst dressed celebrities. There is also an article on Ricky Nelson's sons, the group, "Nelson" who have become "de-tressed," as they have cut off their trademark long blonde manes. They are interviewed, and make statements like, "it had to go," and there are photographs of the pair minus their glory.
MTV award watchers may have noticed that the guitarist from Aerosmith (sorry don't know his name) has had his shoulder-length hair cut short, and looks awful. He sometimes plays with David Letterman's band and chats with Dave, and seemed like a true longhair.
Michael
Michael,
Any idea why this is happening. I loved the Nelson brothers' long hair and am appalled to hear this but there seems to be a certain trend towards short hair happening. Do you know whether it is and why?
Charles
Gentlemen,
I am a devoted fan of long hair on men. I would imagine that the extra care required for long hair can cause some men to opt for the low-maintenance styles that require no brushing (or even washing). It's a real shame tho, when a guy goes from a glorious mane to a bit of stubble. *sigh*
Dear Peny,
You wrote:-
The aesy way out from maintenance is a valid reason but what I'm more concerned about is whether there is growing social pressure against longhaired men?
While musicians are in an enviable position of being free of corporate dictates and can dress and wear their hair as they like, they are however not free of that one god of the 1990's -- ie. "MARKET FORCES."
If the Nelsons cut their hair after a long time of having it very long, weariness of having to maintain it could be one reason. However when Jonny Lang, the Hanson's and that Aerosmith band member do it at about the same time the Nelsons do it, and when Kenny Wayne Shepherd now has shorter hair now than when he recorded "Trouble is," then there appears to be some pressure coming to bear on them to do it.
Question is, are they cutting their hair to win more fans or are their fans turning away from them because they have long hair??
Charles
Okay everybody, take a deep breath. Things are not as bad as they seem. I know those of you who condemn the famous for cutting hair do so because you want acceptance of our kind in the public eye. However, doesn't it seem a bit hypocritical to openly chastise somebody for making a personal decision about their hair? Sure, market forces may come into play, but ultimately the choice is theirs, and I think even more than long hair, it is the choice that we support.
(Insert a healthy dose of sarcasm here)
If it's public opinion we're after, perhaps we should start petitioning *all* longhair musicians to cut off their hair. After all, they are the lazy, drug addict, alcoholic, hotel room destroying losers who gave long hair a bad name in the first place.
For every famous person who cuts off his hair, a new ones begins to grow his. My ever observant wife (who works as a talent agent here in TinsleTown) has told me many times in the last year, that long hair is making a big comeback. Everything is cyclical, and I am sure there is a pattern to be seen in the ebb and flow of the long hair population, so relax...
kilgore
Kilgore,
You are right. However, as a longhair lover, I do feel a great sense of disappointment when a longhair cuts his hair, though on the other hand I could be adopting a selfish.
I also feel that since longhairs face discrimination, and those who keep longhair brave that discrimination, when one of us succumbs to the pressure, I feel that thet longhair has betrayed the cause.
Its true that the behaviour of certain rock musicians is responsible for giving a longhairs a bad public image.
However, I also understand from a musician to be encouraged by the music industry to create an image of notoriety in those musicians to sell more of their records.
Also, it must be remembered that when longhair became fashionable in the 60's and 70's, it was a symbol of protest against the establishment and thus I suppose the establishement now discriminates against longhaired men because of that image.
However, I do not hold such longhairs at fault for protesting injustice and if longhairs have a hard time as a result, well so be it.
However, in the case of longhairs behaving like hooligans as you described above, then yes, we should petition those longhairs to cut their hair.
Anyway, I am not a great fan of heavy metal rock, or any of those loutish musicians and I'm sure the musicians I admire, like Pink Floyd, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Jonny Lang and so on are not that type of musician.
And that is good news indeed. In fact I don't personally think longhair will die.
As you said, "Everything is cyclical, and I am sure there is a pattern to be seen in the ebb and flow of the long hair population, so relax..."
It would be nice to study this pattern. Does any university offer a PhD in Hairology?
Charles
your assumption that longhairs get their hair cut because of social pressure may not totally on target. most of the people who i know that used to sport long hair had it cut because they were either sick of it or it was too much bother. i've known a few who attempted to grow theirs out but succumbed to 'in-between' stage hair- but none who got a haircut because of pressure. one who got on the job hassles about it told off his boss and walked out.
it's tempting to jump aboard the 'make the hooligans get theirs cut' bandwagon, but in doing so i would be linking behavior to hair length- or lack thereof. someone who chooses to keep his hair short might be understandably offended that we would force societal pinheads to wear a hairstyle like theirs.
Well, that's good news as far as the pressure but goes.
Good point. However, hooligans in general don't get that much publicity, unless they are celebrities and if they are rock stars, especially now and earlier, they most probably have or had long hair, which is what gives longhair a bad image in the public view.
However, I know lots of longhairs who are really great and decent people but like the majority of good people, they are not high-profile.
The answer realy is for the many decent longhairs amongst us to excell in our work and behaviour and make as good an impression on the society we come into contact with.
So if any of us becomes a CEO of a multi-billion dollar startup company, keep the longhair.
Regards
Charles
as far as i'm concerned, anyone who will judge me solely on the basis of my hair length degrades the value of his (or her) own opinion. people willing to dislike you based on hair prejudice will just find something else to hate you for once you cut your hair. their ignorance only strengthens my resolve to grow my hair even longer.
i have found that alot of people who dislike long hair on guys are still willing to cut some slack depending on how one carries himself. if you attitude & body language is slouchy and you avoid eye contact people will draw certain conclusions about you. if you project positive energy, you shed better light on yourself...
The answer realy is for the many decent longhairs amongst us to excell in our work and behaviour and make as
good an impression on the society we come into contact with.
you are absolutely correct. you must also realize that some people are not going to be swayed by your efforts. the challenge is to not let that get to you. bear in mind that there are plenty of short haired hooligans... high profile people with 'normal' haircuts who behave badly. they benefit by blending in with the herd. they aren't brave enough to set themselves apart visually. when you choose to look different you inherit prejudice. it takes mental strength to deflect that prejudice. getting upset about the narrow-mindedness of others is a huge waste of energy. i couldn't care less about bad longhair image- that isn't my problem until i make it so. i'm too busy living my life & creating good impressions to be bothered by it.
Trouble is, people equate the wild hair with savagery! That is why the long-hairs are being vilified, while the skin-head gangs are doing the terrorizing! Some people have a poor sense on what grooming is. They seem to equate good grooming with short hair.
Thats the way to go.
Charles
I am absolutely certain that the trend (even in business) will go toward longer and longer hair in the next 5-10 years. I was ahead of the "buzz craze" in the early 90s, and now I expect to be ahead of the long hair craze that's coming. And if it doesn't? I don't care-I want my hair to be as long as it can be because that's the authentic me.