Mullets, ‘Fros & Beehives

No rock star pulled off a flame-haired mullet quite like Bowie, shown here in 1973.

The Godfather of Soul with his trademark helmet hair in 1974.

Elvis Presley's mutton chops and feathered hair (shown in 1976) embodied the culture of excess of the 1970s.

The Sex Pistols bassist (shown in 1977) pioneered the classic punk haircut of dyed hair and sharp spikes.

Jett (shown in 1981) personified tough-girl chic with her jet-black proto-mullet.

The King of Pop's wild Jheri Curls (pictured in 1982) would later be sported by everyone from Billie Dee Williams to Lionel Richie.

Flock of Seagulls' Mike Score (shown in 1982) has a dubious distinction in rock history: You never knew the lead singer's name — but you totally knew his hair.

Duran Duran's bassist (shown in 1983) updated the classic mullet with blond highlights and plenty of hairspray.

Tina Turner (shown in 1984) was almost as well known for her finger-in-socket hair as her tall-drink-of-water gams.

Mötley Crüe (shown in 1984) were the gold standard for hair metal's teased-to-the-heavens 'dos.

Madonna (shown in 1984) has rocked every conceivable hair style, including this trashy tigress bob that defined post-punk Eighties New York.

Moz (shown in 1985) signified the gawky lifestyle of British post-punk with this spiky pompadour.

Denton (right, in 1986) created her asymmetrical hair style accidentally: she had to shave off half her head after chemically damaging her hair.

With his top hat and out-of-control curls, Slash (shown in 1987) was the Cousin It of Eighties hard rock.

Kid 'n Play MC (left, in 1988) sported a high-rise flattop that totally eclipsed similar efforts by Vanilla Ice and Bel Biv DeVoe.

Björk (shown in 1994) had generally maintained long flowing locks until 1994, when she showed up to the MTV VMAs with her hair twisted into a several mini-buns. Tastemakers like Gwen Stefani soon followed suit.

The Prodigy singer (shown in 1996) ratched up the group's electro-punk image with a crazy, slime-green side-head Mohawk.

Korn (2000): Countless nü-metal acts wear dreads, but none offer a selection as varied (and oft imitated) as Jonathan Davis & Co. Here, they're twisted, braided, and strategically bleachedall to unwashed effect.

Fall Out Boy's bassist (shown in 2005) pioneered these carefully coifed bangs long before Justin Bieber. In 2009 he cut off his so-called "Emo Swoosh."

The British singer (shown in 2007) sported a beehive that was so massive, it was checked for drugs when she went to visit her husband "Blake Incarcerated" in 2007, according to British tabloid reports.

Lady Gaga (shown in 2009) has rocked plenty of unlikely styles, but none of inventive as when she twisted her own hair into a bow.

The year's biggest pop sensation's signature flat-dried haircut has led to news reports, fan mania and a blog comparing Bieber's look to a signature lesbian style. ?Nisha Gopalan

RELATED

–Do You Wanna Be a Rock & Roll Star?: Choose the Cover of RS Contest