Michael Stipe

In the early days of R.E.M. Michael Stipe had long, quite wavy hair. Being quite a shy bloke, he would sometimes hide behind it while singing.



It must have been quite distressing for him then when around the age of 30, he started to go bald. During this time, the early 90s, he took to wearing a variety of hats to cover it up, but this didn't really fool anybody.



He eventually shaved it all off in 1994, and it has given him a distinct, instantly recognisable look.



Unfortunately his new look added fuel to the scurrilous rumours that Stipe had AIDS.
Of course, just because someone has a completely bald head, it doesn't mean they have AIDS, or cancer etc.



As an ambassador for the completely bald head, Stipe has done a sterling job in helping the look become more acceptable. Back in the early 90s not many people sported the shaved dome and hairstyles for balding men were limited and often involved combovers.

Norwood Rating : 6