Your Hair Has Rhythm

Music and hair go hand in hand like Marlon Brando and sheer coolness. It's hard to see one without the influence of the other.

People soon discover two things about me; I love doing hair and making and listening to music.

My favorite era of music is the 1960s counterculture of rock and roll. It was an era of exploration and new musical and fashion directions. Long hair, afros, mod tops etc. were blooming up all around. In this time, with the Vietnam war raging overseas, thousands decided to form a simple way of protesting the "Man" and instead began growing their hair long in resistance. Whether you lived in swinging London, the Warhol New York scene, the Motown sound of Detroit, or the Ashbury Haight district, it was impossible not to find yourself in a sea of unique styles all around.

With so much art and new sounds appearing all over it didn't take long before a musical blended the two on the subject which became properly named, "Hair" and found itself on Broadway. The production included and anthem about the love, trails and tribulations of the "long haired freaky people." It didn't matter what part of the world you lived in, every place had a cool connection. Bob Dylan and Hendrix sported afros (in high school i had one too), the Beatles started with a mod style and progressed through many others including assorted styles of facial hair through out the later '60s. Bob Marley grew his out into dread locks as I also did in high school although mine were a lot cleaner than a lot of the peers who envied my cursed curly hair.

The '70s continued this tradition of self expression with many groups along for the ride. Bowie, with his fire red Euro-mullet, and Iggy Pop with his sunshine long locks pushed the envelope of sounds and looking "out there." The later '70s brought along the punk rock movement with the rebirth of the Mohawk, which has yet to make its exit. I myself have taken on quite a few in my day. Spikes and strangely colored hair were also popular. In the late '70s Blondie created her own new style with shoulder length platinum blonde hair and long fringe. George Clinton also has his own look with a rainbow of dreadlocks to enhance his live performances.

Enter the '80s. Many people wish they could return and redo them but alas, your senior photo has been taken and future generations have them as evidence of your fashion crimes. For some, you may not fret because it seems everywhere you look the '80s have returned and found its various styles in all forms. I mean let's face it, you know hair has an effect on music when they invent a genre called, "Hair Metal!" Along with the Metal scene rose the proud march of the mullets. Thank goodness that time has passed... or has it? New wave came in strong with band like the Cure and Human League. It took a lot of work and hairspray to get the effortless look like you just woke up.

The '90s grunge movement put an end to the Hair Metal days, and back to the old long unwashed hair. The Goth movement from the '80s carried on as well. In this era, a new generation found an appreciation for the hippie movement, the 1920s and 1960s, and the mod looks. Since then, we've seen a good mix of these styles come back around with some added touches here and there but one thing still remains, both hair and music live harmoniously changing the way we express ourselves.

It will be interesting to see what the future of hair and music will bring. It's no stretch to say that musicians and artists would not be as iconic without their hairstyles and fashion. I love when people come in to the salon and request a style to look like a particular musician, especially (but not limited to) when its a funky style with a lot of movement and well placed color placements. This also opens up for great conversation about what music that influences you. If you’re in need of a new look for All Tomorrows Parties, come see about me!

Derek Keijner
Master Stylist
& Music Aficionado

"Some of the worst mistakes of my life have been haircuts."
-Jim Morrison