The Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame recently announced the names of 2014’s inductees — TempleU grads Hall and Oates are on the list, along with Nirvana, Kiss and Peter Gabriel.
I’m sure our local boys are talented and all but I can’t help wonder: Would they have gotten as far without those sweet, sweet mullets?
MEET THE MULLET: Business up front, party in the back. The first true “Unisex” haircut — back when it seemed like a good idea to style hair with no concern for gender whatsoever.
HISTORY: First known trendsetters of this style were a small band of young Byzantine men in the 6th century, but it didn’t really catch on until the 1980’s, aka Worst Decade for Hair Ever.
WEIRD FACT: In 2010, the Islamic government of Iran issued grooming updates for male citizens specifically outlawing the mullet hairstyle due to its strong association with Western culture.
NOTEWORTHY MULLETS: Cro-Magnon Man, King Louis XIV, Buffalo Bill, Billy Ray Cyrus, Andre Agassi, Barry White, Carol Brady, Joe Dirt, Chuck Norris, Davis Bowie, Wayne Gretzky, Hulk Hogan, John Stamos, Macgyver, Michael Bolton, Dog the Bounty Hunter, Joan Jett, Brian Bosworth, Mel Gibson, Paul McCartney, Duran Duran (all of them)
SYNONYMS: Hi-Lo, Bi-Level, Shorty Longback, Camaro Crash Helmet, Nape Drape, Neck Warmer, Shoulder Sweeper, Collar Curtain, Dust Ruffle, Beaver Paddle, Mississippi Mudflap, Kentucky Waterfall, Tennessee Tophat, Alabama Shag, Texas Tailgate, Canadian Passport, Squirrel Pelt, Hockey Haircut, Soccer Rocker, Coon Tail, Yes-Nope, 10/90, Skull Rug, Achy-Breaky-Big-Mistakey
TERMINOLOGY: The word “mullet” as a hairstyle first appeared in the Oxford English Dictionary in 1994, after the Beastie Boys hit “Mullet Head.”