The Surprising History of the Mullet

The history guy will do any subject. Every school should have someone just like him.

How you managed to turn a mundane topic like mullets into an extremely interesting subject is the real magic.

I always said the mullet cut was timeless. Now I have the history to prove it. Thanks!

I'm a female who has had a mullet most of her life. It started in the late 70s when it was just easier to take care of than all that fancy dippity Doo and hairspray stuff. And now I'm nearly 60 and although my mullet has begun to Gray I still rocking it LOL

As a low-income, backwater-dwelling rebel from the 80s, I can tell ya that we listened to AC-DC and Def Leppard, while being abused by Country Music lovers, who were all wearing crewcuts. Glad to learn of the tremendous heritage of my favorite haircut.

Good morning from Ft Worth TX to everyone watching...

I had a mullet in my early teens, in the late 80s. It happened when you had a short haircut, grew your hair out, got annoyed at your bangs in your eyes, cut it off. Left the back. Mullet. Also, everyone had it and it looked normal. I mean even Jerry Seinfeld had a mild mullet.

You sir are the man of the hour. You gave us the documentary we never asked for, but absolutely needed.

The style worn by Rod Stewart is what we called a "Shag". The sides were longer than a Mullet. I proudly wore a Shag for many years, starting in the early 1970's.

Where I grew up we referred to it as "hockey hair". NHL players had long hair when they brought in helmets so many began cutting theier hair short for comfort under the helmet but leaving it long in back for that flowing in the wind effect. I've heard that gladiators did the same.

I taught high school and I would ask young men in my class who sported some sort of birds nest, asymmetrical braids, mullet, or whatever individual style they had crafted met with approval at home. Almost always they would say that mom, dad, grandparents hated it. Then I asked if girls liked it and the response was always positive. Then I told them that the perfect hair cut for a teenage boy was one that mom’s hate, but chick’s dig. Then I would give them my nod of approval.

As a proud wearer of a great mullet, since i was a wee lad of age 8. I am humbled my my hair's glorious heritage of metal and what it has stood for through out the ages of man. Rock on brother.

I was proud of my mullet in 1988… short in front, down the middle of my back in the rear. For people who listen to heavy music, in the 90’s, the mullet transitioned to undershaved sides, with the front pulled back into a ponytail or swept to one side, leaving the back to flow beautifully. However, since I’m an old man now, 55 this year, i just stick to my traditional Mohawk… some things are classics…

Ah yes, Achy Breaky Hair. What an unexpected subject for The History Guy; and for those of us who lived through the '80s, a reminder to always be vigilant lest we succumb to repeating the mistakes of the past.

As a man who has long hair (never a mullet) and a beard for most of my teenage and adult life, I found this video fascinating. When I was younger I did tie my long hair back when working, but as I got older I decided to stop tying it back. Mostly because I was worried that the stress on my roots would cause early hair loss (look at any man that has kept his hair pulled back for years and you see the far receding hairline). I remember in my early days during a summer break from college, I walked into a well known pizza delivery place (named after a game) to ask for an application. Before even handing me an application, the manager told me I would have to cut my hair and shave my beard. I immediately walked out. I was going to a four year university at the time and this guy was going to discriminate against me for having well kept long hair and a beard? Nope. I found another job that summer without having to compromise neither hair nor beard. To this day I still have long hair and have started to let my beard grow even longer. Both are starting to get silver and maybe I'll go full on Gandalf in a few more years.

Not only did I rock a mullet as a kid in the mid 80's, I also trimmed it down to a VERY fashionable "Rat Tail". 🤘😎

This topic has darkly divided my household and driven a wedge between the holy bonds of matrimony. My wife asserts (incorrectly) that the only acceptable form of mullet is the 'Curly mullet' with curly hair all around. I have been unsuccessful in converting her to the true ways of the 'Spiky mullet', the one way for all of those who like to rock, and the only official hairdo of both angels and valkyries.

The most mullets I saw in one place was at a ZZ TOP, Ted Nugent, Gov't Mule show in Pelham, Alabama.

I'm 56 and have had every kind of hairstyle....crew cut, buzz cut, bald, long mane and yes...and with no guilt...a mullet. Wear what ever floats yer boat!

We were calling the haircut "mullet" back in the 80's. No idea where the name came from, but it definitely wasn't the Beasty Boys. I never wore it as I was a hard rock/ metal musician in those days with the typical long hair down just past my shoulders. Never really gave it much thought as I have always been "to each his own". Love the episode, though. It took me back to a simpler time.