Who Made Mullets Popular?

The mullet is certainly one of the many aspects that made the 80s unique. Both men and women wore it but its history doesn’t start here. In fact, ancient societies dating as far back as the ancient Greeks like Julius Caesar wore their hair like this. Since its inception, the mullet has shifted in and out over time, but made a huge comeback in the 80s that guys thought it was edgy and girls loved it. It also goes by the “Kentucky Waterfall”, however, that was far before the 80s.

So as we all know the mullet has made the 80s the 80s, who was responsible for this crazy hairstyle? Someone had to bring it back – someone of influence.

Who Made Mullets Popular?

It wasn’t so much one person in particular but a number of guys who popularized the mullet, sporting the hairdo in music videos and on tour. Girls wanted them and guys wanted to be like them, so they followed suit.

Despite the trend exploding in the 80s, rockstars started styling their hair with it cut short in the front and long in the back since the 60s and 70s. In the 60s, Tom Jones sported a mullet in two of three 1965 performances of the hit song “It’s Not Unusual” on the Ed Sullivan Show on May 2, 1965 and June 13, 1965.

The Mullet in the 70s

During the 70s, the mullet was worn by David Bowie, Rod Stewart, Keith Richards and Paul McCartney. When Greg Prato wrote Neil Peart’s eulogy in January 2020, he asserted that Peart had a mullet and suggested, “he also may have been one of the first rockers to sport another hairstyle – the rattail”, based on a 1985 music video, “The Big Money”.

David Bowie in particular made a huge statement with his carrot-orange hair flowing down his back. This made him stand out throughout his career as all his fans recognized him by just his hairstyle.

It wasn’t long before Rodney Stewart also grew out his mane, bouncing it from one shoulder to the other while performing in jumpsuits on Top of the Pops. But it was the mullet that made him a unique exhibitionist.

Paul McCartney also chose to grow out his hair, just in the back, followed by the rest of rockstars who performed with oversized drum kits and V-shaped guitars. But this was only the beginning of a very serious change that would shape the next decade.

Mullets in the 80s

By the 80s, rockers were obsessed with this new trend. Part of the crazy, in-your-face culture that made up this wild decade, the mullet was in full swing, literally as it swayed from side to side on everyone’s head. Some of the most popular celebrities with the mullet are Patrick Swayze in Dirty Dancing, with the wind blowing in his feathery locks as he swung Baby everywhere. Then there was Kiefer Sutherland in The Lost Boys, with the edgy short spikes perked straight up and the horse tail falling from behind. This was the essence of the teenage rebellion.

While the mullet did look cool and was a big turn on for the girl, it also transcended culture. Everyone from rockstars like James Hetfield from Metallica and Billy Ray Cyrus to country singers, yuppies, punk, jock and even bikers had this crazy hairdo. The mullet had built its reputation as being fun, flamboyant and even a bit of a partier.

The style was primarily worn by white guys (with the exception of Little Richard), however, many female figures had also worn it, including Cher, Joan Jett and Jane Fonda. But this was not to be confused with the lesbian culture who had also adopted the trend. In the film documentary, American Mullet, one woman wears it as a symbol of her sexuality. “I absolutely think it’s a lesbian haircut because it’s always my hair that gives me away…it’s the dyke cut, the lesbian cut, it’s butch.” Another woman explained, “it’s kind of a genderless haircut. We need to talk about what it means to be male and female.

Mullets in the 90s

As all good things must come to an end, this happened in the 90s for the famous mullet. With the exception of AC Slater in Saved by the Bell and John Connor’s friend in Terminator 2, the celebrities were chopping them off. It’s hard to tell just exactly why they did what they did, however, low-income families, rednecks and 90s country stars like Travis Tritt, Alan Jackson and Tracy Lawrence still kept it. According to one TV Report, an anonymous person said the mullets made him think of guys with cigarette packs tucked into their shirt pockets, “it just looks dirty…it emanates dirt.” Interesting how in just 10 years the famous hairstyle has gone from famous to dirty.

Eventually, mullets became taboo, a source of embarrassment even. Celebrities like Mel Gibson, Bono and Rob Lowe would never grow out their back hair long again, with the exception of Billy Ray Cyrus of course (which is where Miley Cyrus gets her craziness).

By the late 90s, very few still wore mullets, although they were seen as the common weirdo. But in Monterrey, Mexicano, those known as the Cholombianos, a teen subculture obsessed with Colombian Cumbia music started up the trend again. Everything from tails at the back to gelled to flat and even curly mullets, this was all the diversity amongst this group.

Then there was the eccentric pro-skater, Jason Dill, who was known for his rattail style over the years. He frequently skated throughout New York with a fully shaved head and a wisp of curly hair at the back, ultimately to give off an edgy, badass vibe.

What is Associated with Mullets

Mullets will always be a thing of the 80s, since they made their biggest comeback from the 1700s when famous figures like Benjamin Franklin sported them. Now, we look back on it and think, “I can’t believe I wore my hair like that!” But it’s nothing to be ashamed of; in 30 years, you’ll be thinking the same thing about your hairstyle now. It’s all about what you are proud to wear today.

Is the Mullet Coming Back?

A common question floating around on the internet is “are mullets making a comeback?” Well, we can’t be sure, however, there are signs. I hate to say it, but it all depends on the trendsetters AKA the celebrities. In 2013, Rihanna wore a full mullet at the opening of New York Fashion Week and Zendaya appeared on the red carpet at the 2016 Grammy’s also wearing a mullet. In September 2017, Virgil Abloh had models cat walking down the runway, and the most recent one was Princess Gollum as Vogue referred to her as street style’s unlikely new star.

So there are small signs here and there of the mullet itching to come back, although it probably won’t be as sexy as it was on Patrick Swaze. One hair stylist, Riawna Capri commented, “What I’ve done recently is a more modified and more fashion-forward version of the mullet called the ‘the chillet’ or a chill mullet. The hair in the back is not longer than the hair in the front, but it has the illusion or silhouette of a mullet.” So perhaps a new hairstyle will come out that’s inspired by the mullet.

Overall, this crazy hairdo is not for everyone, and it takes a lot of courage to walk around with it today. But Capri explained that her ‘chillet’ style is for those who are “confident and aren’t afraid to step outside the box. If you have the confidence to rock it and be different, everyone else will love it too.” But in my opinion, it’s another way to express who you are, regardless of whether or not it’s popular.

What Do You Think of The Mullet?

Would you consider having your hair styled into a mullet (again)? If you had a mullet in the 80s, how long was it? Was it curly or flat? What inspired you to do it? I’d love to hear your opinion in the comments below!