Get Yer 'Air Cut
The issue of male coiffure, pop and counterculture before, during and after the Swinging Sixties
My hair is a statement and always will be, even when I no longer have any.
The social revolution of the Swinging Sixties led to a renaissance of unchecked hair growth, and long hair, especially on men, was worn as a political or countercultural symbol of protest and as an expression of masculinity.
No-one who was affected by one of a turbulent decade's loudest controversies – or anyone who ever wondered what all the fuss was about – will fail to be interested in this personal account of when the 'us and them' divide between youth and elders was most profound.
ALAN CLAYSON is a composer, performance artist and author, born in Dover, Kent. From 1975 to 1985, he led the legendary Clayson and the Argonauts, who later reformed in 2005. Clayson's compositions have been recorded by many musicians, including Dave Berry, Stairway, Jane Relf, Turnpike and The Electronic Males. He has also worked with The Portsmouth Sinfonia, Wreckless Eric, Twinkle, The Yardbirds, The Pretty Things, Mungo Jerry and Screaming Lord Sutch, among others. Clayson has written more than 30 books on various musicians and pop culture phenomenon, including George Harrison, Keith Moon, The Little Box of Beatles, The Walrus Was Ringo and The Yardbirds. His articles have been featured in the Guardian, Times, Independent, Mojo and Record Collector.
