Blog#6: Mop Tops!

sporting the Tony Curtis hair-do

If you compare a mop to a Beatle's head, you will clearly understand what a mop top is. This hairstyle was popularized by the Beatles in the 60s but it originated from their friend, Jurgen Vollmer. As the story goes, Vollmer went swimming one day and when his damp hair fell over his forehead like a fringe, he left it that way and never bothered to style it.  When The Beatles met Jurgen in Hamburg, they adopted the look and discarded their origional Tony Curtis look. Technically, it was actually Jurgen who started the fad, but the Beatles received credit for it.

Ed Sullivan with a Beatles Wig

     

       The Beatles influenced many people to cut their hair in this fashion. Although it was most commonly referred to as a mop top, it was also called the"Hamlet cut" in Sweden, and the "mushroom cut" in Germany. It was also called "Arthur" by some Beatles fans. This hairdo has become a symbol of the 60's and at that time it was cool and youthful. Many toy companies began producing the "Beatles Wig". It became so popular that Ed Sullivan wore a wig to one of his shows (picture to the left). If you wanted to dress up as a man from the 60s for Halloween, I highly recommend you to get a Mop top.

Resources:

http://hubpages.com/hub/The-Mop-Top

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Beatles'_influence_on_popular_culture#The_mop-top_haircut

http://www.beatlesagain.com/a-hairy-beatles-story.html

Pictures courtesy of Google