“I want it long, straight, curly, fuzzy, snaggy, shaggy, ratty, matty, oily, greasy, fleecy, shining, gleaming, streaming, flaxen, waxen, knotted, polka-dotted, twisted, beaded, braided, powdered, flowered, and confettied, bangled, tangled, spangled, and spaghettied!”

 

During the beginning of the pandemic, I kept seeing stories and posts about celebs doing their own hair-stylings and pink dye jobs. “What the heck,” I thought. Who needs a lockdown for that? I’d subjected my hair to my own immediate-gratification-seeking changes for half a lifetime — with only a mirror and scissors for incentive.

Sometimes I might eliminate an unruly problem with one swift cut. Other times I might hack off an innocent ponytail, right where the scrunchie ends. Into the trash, a year’s worth of growth. And there’s always the dye option: Some of us are Manic Panic enthusiasts dating all the way back to the 70’s — plenty of temporary crazy colors to keep boredom away.

Most of the time it’s worked out. Other times, I’ve been responsible for my own bad hair days. Or weeks.

From the minute I started playing rock n’ roll in bands as a teen in Austin, the holy grail was finding someone who could give the essential haircut: a Keith Richards shag, a jagged Bowie, or the perfect Rod Stewart rooster. I got my own shag early on and got used to getting “great hair” compliments from friends, strangers and stylists. Who doesn’t want to hear that? But what I didn’t realize was how profoundly hair underwrites and forges destiny.

         Yes, I really think that. Hear me out.

 

 

hair and life, completely changed by extensions

         

The most pivotal point of my life began with a drastic hair makeover in 2001. New decade, new hair. Too impatient to wait for my choppy short locks to grow out, I paid for some long wavy extensions. Instantly I transformed into a sultry, feminine brunette bombshell. My future ex-husband, a handsome lawyer, found this version of me approachable. It’s doubtful he would have asked the tough little rocker chick of the previous year on a date. I was the same person, but my new look attracted the man who made me a wife and mother.

Having entered my sixth decade, I frequently reflect upon the crossroads of my life. A sudden swerve, this way or that way, an innocuous choice here and there — each judgment and every decision re-routing our direction and possibly our destination. Maybe God is just a cosmic Waze app, constantly readjusting to our self-designed detours. One of my favorite musings goes like this: What if, at the peak of the Go-Go’s success, I’d had long, maidenly hair instead of short, gravity defying red hair? Here’s what: Different relationships with different men. Different perceptions from the public. Most likely, different career options or opportunities.

I ponder the ripple effects of those altered aspects, on my behavior or courses of action. Other fundamentals might be the same: friends, talent, characteristics. But outcomes? Indisputably.

There’s nothing I’d change. And yet, it seems bizarre that something as seemingly superficial as a hairstyle could’ve dramatically changed how my life has played out.

If my own hair and life journey were so interconnected, I also like to wonder…how might this same theory manifest in other people’s lives? I thought about all the musicians and bands whose hair came to mind as quickly as their music. I could rest my case with the Beatles and the Ramones — but there’s so many other shining, shaggy, spiky examples. Starting with Elvis. Millions of swoons would be lost forever if there’d been a receding hairline above that sneering lip and swiveling hips.

ok, he really doesn’t look that bad like this!

Throwing back to the classic rock era, many of us recall how the cherubic curls of Led Zep’s Robert Plant and Jimmy Page offset rumors of their demonic debauchery. How about Brian Jones? His blonde pageboy was probably the first wedge of separation between him and his brown-haired Rolling Stones band mates. Spoiler if you don’t know: It didn’t end well for him.

As for women, Debbie Harry’s hair personified Blondie and gave the band a great name. The tough mystique of Chrissy Hynde of the Pretenders was in large part to not seeing her eyes behind those long bangs. From Sinead O’ Connor’s defiantly bald head to Billie Eilish’ day-glo roots, hair, or even no hair, illuminates the attitude the artist wants to align her music with. Just imagine, if you will, Joan Jett with “Karen” hair singing “I Love Rock n’ Roll.” Epic fail.

The divas are prime cases: entire sexualized careers have been glued, braided and taped to a sad reality of struggling, limp locks. Hair extensions are second only to auto-tune for having launched more stars than any record label or TV talent show could ever hope for.

Now. Think of the countless “regular guy” hair that defines artists from the Replacements to Springsteen. No one’s gonna buy their vibe with the wrong hair. Switch Bon Jovi and Bruce’s hair and you have obscurity. Whereas, you can flip the songs and each of those guys probably would have still had a hit. Really. Springsteen singing Living on a Prayer and Bon Jovi doing Born to Run would have worked just fine. But a hair switch? No way. And wasn’t Kurt Cobain’s whole deal intensified and affirmed by his unwashed-looking stringy hair hanging in his eyes? If he’d had a buzz cut or some goofy Willie Nelson braids, we would’ve never heard of Nirvana.

I could go on, but you get my point.

When I got sober in 1989 my life turned inside-out. I wanted a new appearance to go with the new me. The genesis of quick makeovers led me to go where I’d never gone before: Blonde. Not honey blonde or golden blonde or ash blonde, but a blinding, platinum blonde. Soon after entering this state of blondeness, one night for some undetermined reason, I put on a tight lycra red dress that I’d bought on a pathetic Marshall’s shopping spree and went out on the town. All I can say is this: if blondes are having more fun, we’ve got a major discrepancy in our versions of what fun is. I went instantly from being a real, live human to being an exotic sports car that people — well, let’s be specific here — men, felt entitled to gawk at with a primordial lizard brain intention.

(The red dress went straight in the Goodwill pile, but I kept the blonde ’til it was time for the next change.)

Another chapter in my hair chronicles should be mentioned. During the course of one unpleasant year, I got divorces from both my husband and my band. On top of that, I had to move houses. A lot of disruption. In a span of months, my hair changed six times. The dark brunette became a maple syrup amber, and then lightened further to a strawberry blonde. After a few too many cups of coffee one morning, I grabbed some scissors and, presto: crooked bangs. A few weeks later, in a fit of weird triumph and anger, the remaining hair got the same crooked hacked off treatment. I followed that up with a deep mahogany red dye job. Then I forced a new side part into submission with a bobby pin.

In retrospect, I can see clearly that when unseen forces were shoving me places that I hadn’t chosen, there was one thing I did have control over: My hair.

I’m 61 this year. One of the joys of aging is hair loss. I try to take it in stride and be happy with what I have left and be grateful I had decades of luscious locks. Even worse, if I let my hair do what it’s biologically programmed to do, it would now be a color that lies somewhere in the brittle grey/possum brown spectrum. Not ready for that. Not yet. I’m a divorcee, a mom, a writer. I’m still a rock and roller, even as I muddle through a past-middle-age reinvention of my life.

This is where I am and I like figuring out ways I can make my hair reflect and complement the way I see myself and the way I want to be seen. I’ll do this for as long as I can get away with it. Most likely, brand new hair experiments in frosty, shiny, silver and snowy white await. I’ve seen it done and I’m taking notes. Most likely, I will be plugging in my guitar in my mid-70’s wondering where I might have ended up if I’d only kept it short and red. Or long and brown. Or sleek and black…


 

 

Showing 17 comments
  • Scott T.

    Great piece, Kathy. Interesting observations. As a guy, I never had the guts or patience to grow my hair out long. I went so far as the shag mullet while in college, but I regret not just letting the whole thing do it’s thing. As it’s receded, I regret that. I’m wondering, do you have any regrets about not trying a particular style or about one you did try?

  • BobP

    I wasn’t sure where you were going with this at first but I have to say you’re completely right that the image you portray can define you and it can drive that destiny. Whether rock and roll or anything else in life. Create who you want to be. No one else will. Be yourself and always be authentic. From what I can tell I think you’ve always been true to yourself.

  • Latanya Ivey

    Great post. I still have no idea what I am doing with my hair at 43. Maybe a new color with my curls. Who knows? My hair has seen it all.

  • Michael

    Very well written and completely entertaining, insightful, thoughtful (without being too serious or deep) and all so true! Loved reading it. I really love the ease of your writing style. I will definitely have to pick up your book one of these days. I’ve read so many other wonderful things about it in other fans comments. Definitely something I’ll look forward to!

  • Brian Allen

    They all look great on you Kathy. Top right hand corner is my favorite. It’s easier for us guys, started losing mine in my 20’s. About 20 years ago I shaved the remaining hair and haven’t looked back, and I’m 62. Whatever you decide to do with your hair we will always be loyal fans.

  • Kathy Valentine

    I have so many guy friends who have lost or are losing their hair, some from young age. I always tell them it has no bearing on their attractiveness, if you just own it!

  • Brian Allen

    Spot on Miss Kathy!

  • Paul it LaDue

    About 5 years ago I got sick of my hair so I shaved my head.

    Since then, I shave it every 3 or 4 days. It drives me crazy if I miss a day.

    —–

    As a guy I have no clue about hair extensions. I do know that when you came onstage in Central Park that a reassignment had occurred. You were now DEFINITELY the hottest Go-Go!

    Thanks for being you!

  • BobP

    Yup, you’re right. Image and attractiveness arent necessarily dependent. After all attractiveness comes from the inside.

  • Jose

    I always loved your hair choices! The hair-style that you had for the cover of Talk Show album was one of my favorites. In fact I gave it rendition the in 1987 while studying cosmetology. My coloring instructor had fun with all those shades of red. however, after all the work done on my hair and bleach work, didn’t do justice on me

  • Lauren

    As a retiring lady barber, cosmetologist, and makeup artist, I have seen how hairstyles have affected personalities and confidence. These are not 100% statements, because there are many different opinions by different people on how one should look, just like you have stated in your fine piece. However, women with some form of a bob and with sideswept bangs tend to feel better about themselves in this look than anything else. I did hundreds of bob transformations. I exclude the “mommy bob;” it needs to be sassy–the type that make the weaker sex stare at us.

    As for men, if they are starting to thin out on top, as long as they still have enough, a skin fade cut with a short top is about as sexy as sexy can be. Once they have too much thinning on top, it’s time to encourage them into taking the clippers and a 00000 blade and buzzing it all off. In my opinion, this actually makes men look super sexy. I love making love to my totally shorn husband and rubbing his fuzz while doing so. The tactile feeling is amazing.

  • Becky Chapman

    I have changed hairstyles over the years but never the color. I am 60 and the grey has invaded my dark blonde/light brown hair. I suppose I will just let nature take it’s course. But I like the different styles and colors you have chosen over the years. Btw, I will be flying to my hometown of Houston tomorrow to visit family. I purchased your book with the plan to read it on the plane. I have started it already and have read several chapters and it’s all I can do to not finish it all ready. You really have a gift as a writer. I would love to be able to have you sign the book sometime. Also looking forward to your next book, as well.

  • BobP

    KV, it’s been a while since you’ve been on here. Hope all is well. I was going to sign up for your rock camp, unfortunately something unexpected came up. How did it go? Are you planning another one some time? Would like to attend.
    Stay safe, I’m confident we will be turning the corner on this pandemic soon.

  • David Lux

    Great real and humorous piece. In retrospect, I have noticed your many hairstyle and color changes but I don’t remember your blonde phase. Is it the hair that makes the person or the person who makes the hair or both? Lol.

  • BobP

    Watching News with cold, snow, and power loss in Texas. Kathy, hope and your daughter are ok and safe.

  • Steven M Valentine

    Actually listening to an interview, on SiriusXM Canada Now, and enjoying hearing you talk about your life and your book.
    I’ve always wanted to thank you for the entertainment throughout the years; I smile when I see your face and hear you play!
    Best of luck with all you endeavor to do!

  • Dub

    Reminds me of the Pat and Barbara K McDonald song, “Hairstyles and Attitudes” – there’s a line in there that asks the vital question, “Are styles we embrace a matter of taste, or values rejected?”

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