Episode #108 - Drastic Hair Changes of Celebrities of the 80s and 90s

May 5, 2025

Facial Hair Changes Episode!

Summary

Amy Lewis and Jason Lady discussed celebrity hair transformations on their PopCulture Retrospective podcast, focusing on individuals like John Oates, Andre Agassi, Eminem, and Michael Bolton, analyzing their stylistic choices and the societal impact of hair loss.  The podcast also explored the "majestic polar bear" look of Kenny Rogers, Michael McDonald, and George Lucas,  as well as the unique hairstyles of musicians like the Beatles and A Flock of Seagulls.

Details

• Podcast Introduction Amy Lewis and Jason Lady introduced their PopCulture Retrospective podcast, noting it was nearing its tenth episode.  They discussed their shared interest in retro nostalgia and the podcast's focus on pop culture from the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s.
• Jason Lady's Background Jason Lady, a guest on several episodes, introduced themself as a human resources professional and children's book author. They discussed their four published books, including the "Magic Pen Adventures" series and "The Pure Shore Club," drawing inspiration from classic children's movies and books.
• Show Topic Selection The episode's topic, celebrity hair transformations, was a collaborative idea, possibly initiated by Jason Lady, following discussions on Instagram.  They clarified that the intention was observation and not mockery of those experiencing hair loss.
• Jason Lady's First Choice: John Oates Jason Lady's first example was John Oates of Hall & Oates, noting his significant hair and mustache changes. They detailed Oates's once-epic mustache, comparing it to Wilford Brimley's, and his decision to shave it, potentially due to changing styles or a desire for less recognition.
• Jason Lady's Personal Hair Journey Jason Lady shared their experience with facial hair, relating it to Oates's transformation. They described having a goatee for 20 years and later a full beard, before choosing to shave it all off for ease of maintenance.
• John Oates's Continued Career  John Oates continues to make solo music,  possibly changing their look to avoid public recognition. This decision was discussed positively as a choice of personal preference.
• Facial Hair Perspectives Amy Lewis discussed the significance of facial hair for men, suggesting it can serve purposes beyond mere aesthetics, such as concealing blemishes or scars.
• Amy Lewis's First Choice: Andre Agassi Amy Lewis introduced Andre Agassi, an eight-time Grand Slam champion, whose hair loss began in young adulthood.  They described Agassi’s initial use of a hairpiece, which malfunctioned before a significant match.
• Agassi's Hairpiece Incident and Subsequent Shaving Agassi’s hairpiece incident at the French Open in 1990 highlighted the emotional toll of hair loss at a young age.  Their partner encouraged them to shave their head, which resulted in a sense of liberation.
• Agassi's Post-Tennis Career After shaving his head, Agassi pursued various endeavors, including opening a charter school and playing professional pickleball.  This demonstrated positive adaptation and a fulfilling post-sports life.
• Agassi's Hairpiece Speculation  Jason Lady revealed surprise at the fact that Agassi had used a hairpiece, questioning how it stayed on during athletic activity.  Amy Lewis speculated it may have been more like a toupee, attached with adhesive.
• Cultural Shift Regarding Baldness The discussion turned to the societal shift in attitudes towards male baldness, mentioning figures like Yul Brynner and the subsequent acceptance of baldness by athletes like Michael Jordan.  This shift likely helped Agassi in their decision to shave their head.
• Jason Lady's Second Choice: Yanni Jason Lady discussed Yanni, a new-age musician known for concerts at historical landmarks. They described Yanni's previous "Jesus-like" appearance, including his full dark hair and mustache, and the change to a shorter hairstyle.
• Yanni's Musical Style and Transformation Yanni’s music was described as relaxing and celestial, with a blend of electronic keyboards and a full orchestra. The conversation included anecdotes about listening to Yanni and the impact of their hair change on their image.
• Amy Lewis's Views on Yanni Amy Lewis shared her parents’ fondness for Yanni and other smooth jazz artists of that era.  The conversation digressed to discuss their personal preference for relaxing music, connecting it with their age.
• New Age Music Preferences  Jason Lady and Amy Lewis discussed generational differences in preferences for new-age music, including anecdotes about their parents' tastes and the shift in radio station formats.  The conversation humorously concluded with a fantasy about launching a new-age radio station.
• Amy Lewis's Third Choice: Eminem Amy Lewis introduced Eminem, a prominent figure in rap and hip-hop, known for his blonde hair and unique persona.  They discussed his childhood, career trajectory, and significant hair color changes.
• Eminem's Hair Color Changes and Public Reaction Eminem’s change from bleached blonde hair to his natural brunette color and later adding a beard created considerable public reaction. This was discussed as a choice of self-expression and not necessarily due to outside pressure.
• Eminem's Personal Life and Maturity  The conversation addressed Eminem’s family life, highlighting the contrast between his public persona and his private life. His daughter's marriage and potential parenthood were brought up.
• Jason Lady's Fourth Choice: The Beatles Jason Lady discussed The Beatles' hair evolution throughout their career, from clean-cut suits to longer hair and beards. This evolution was linked to the evolving nature of their music, from simple pop songs to more psychedelic works.
• Michael Bolton's Life and Career: Amy Lewis and Jason Lady discussed Michael Bolton's life and career, including his early musical talent, struggles to gain recognition, rise to fame, signature look (long hair and partially unbuttoned shirts), and his philanthropic work .  They also noted his recent brain cancer diagnosis and continued singing while recovering.
• Michael Bolton's Hair:  Amy Lewis and Jason Lady discussed Michael Bolton's iconic long hair, noting its role in his marketing and the significant impact of his 1997 decision to cut it for a fundraiser, raising over $9,000 for charity.  They shared differing opinions on his appearance with and without long hair.
• Michael Bolton's Personal Life: The discussion touched upon Michael Bolton's past relationship with Ashley Judd, her alleged reaction to his haircut, and his subsequent hardships including a 2023 brain cancer diagnosis.
• Jason Lady's Grandfather's Disdain: Jason Lady shared a story about their grandfather's disapproval of Michael Bolton's long hair when he sang the national anthem at a baseball game.
• Aunt Ruthie's Michael Bolton Collection: Jason Lady recounted their Aunt Ruthie's lifelong fandom of Michael Bolton, even possessing a significant collection of CDs after her passing.
• Amy Lewis's Musical Preferences: Amy Lewis revealed their personal musical preferences, noting a lack of affinity for 90s soft rock and a preference for upbeat music due to their current commute.
• Michael Bolton's Signature Look (clothing): Amy Lewis identified Michael Bolton's signature look as comprising long hair, exposed chest hair, and shoulder pads, prompting speculation about the reasons behind the shoulder pads.
• Jason Lady's Occasional Michael Bolton Listening: Jason Lady admitted to occasionally listening to Michael Bolton's greatest hits, describing the experience using the word "luxuriate," a word they noted learning from an article about Bolton.
• The "Majestic Polar Bear" Look: Jason Lady introduced the concept of a "majestic polar bear" look shared by Kenny Rogers, Michael McDonald, and George Lucas, characterized by thick, white hair and beards .  They discussed the unique qualities of this look and how it transcends musical genre.
• Kenny Rogers, Michael McDonald, and George Lucas's Similar Appearance: Jason Lady identified the shared physical characteristic of thick, full heads of hair among Kenny Rogers, Michael McDonald, and George Lucas, highlighting the evolution of their hair color to white and the enduring "volume" in their hair.
• Mike Score's Hairstyle Origin: Amy Lewis described the accidental origin story of Mike Score's (lead singer of A Flock of Seagulls) iconic hairstyle, attributing it to an unplanned brush with a bandmate's arm while styling their hair before a performance in Trinidad.
• A Flock of Seagulls's Career and Mike Score's Current Appearance: The conversation highlighted the short-lived career of A Flock of Seagulls, contrasting Mike Score's past hairstyle with their current bald appearance.  They noted the hairstyle's recreation in a Friends episode.
• Tom Selleck's Enduring Mustache: Jason Lady discussed Tom Selleck's iconic mustache, noting its longevity and timelessness, as opposed to the stylistic changes of other celebrities.
• John Travolta's Hairstyles and Hair Transplant Rumors: Amy Lewis described John Travolta's various hairstyles over the years, touching upon rumors of hair transplants and their ultimate transition to a bald look .  They discussed the societal pressure on men regarding hair loss.
• Hair Metal Musicians' Hairstyles: Jason Lady and Amy Lewis discussed the relatively unchanging hairstyles of various hair metal musicians, contrasting them with those who underwent significant changes.  They highlighted Slash's consistent long hair and signature hat.