Afro-tastic

When I was 12 years old, my brother got a wherm - a white man's perm. That's right, my 'bro had a 'fro. Like the mullet in the age of heavy metal, you weren't cool unless you had a 'fro in 1979. Lately it's been coming back in vogue. Love it or not, the afro is back in full force.


Fletch had the classic line while daydreaming about playing for the lakers - "He's 6'5", 6'9" with the afro" - and the 'fro as a comedy tool was born. Today the "Jewfro" is sported by Seth Rogan and Jonah Hill, and Big Willie Farrell rocks it, complete with the sweat band, in Semi-pro.

In the 70's the 'fro was all over the music scene. Leo Sayer told the world "You Make Me Feel Like Dancin' (I want to dance the night away)" but he also said he wanted to do it with a curly helmet of hair. Of course the disco peeps - The Commodores, Kool & The Gang, Earth Wind and Fire - all had the 'fro doin' the hustle. However, I think the greatest afro of the era, maybe of all eras, had to belong to Jeff Lynne of ELO, who had the afro-beard combo. The man looked like a sheepdog and didn't care who knew it.

I have to confess as a guy in my late 30's with a receding hairline (I don't have a forehead, I have a sixhead) I'm a little jealous of any one with enough hair to pull off the afro. There's no room in this world for a balding guy with bad hair...or is there? Check out Art Garfunkel!

The next step would be to combine the 'fro with the mullet - the frullet! Bad idea - Kenny G proved that even a total ass clown like him can take things to a new low with a bad 'do. I suppose I should count my blessings and think about all of the money I save on shampoo and "product" by sticking with a simple buzzcut.