When fans think of Willie Nelson, they immediately conjure up images of a weathered troubadour with his unmistakable long, braided locks.
For decades the musician’s hair has helped highlight his outlaw country spirit and his non conformist attitude. But he hasn’t always look like this. As Willie turns 92, we take a walk down memory lane to the early years of his career when his appearance was far from what it is today.
Clean cut
In his early Nashville days, a young Willie sported a much more conventional, short-cropped hairstyle, often paired with suits and ties. This image aligned with the more polished “Nashville Sound” of the time.
However, as his musical direction shifted towards the raw and rebellious “outlaw country” movement in the 1970s, so did his appearance.
Braids take center stage
Willie’s decision to grow his hair long was a deliberate move as he rejected Nashville’s established norms.
Eventually, those long locks evolved into the two distinct braids that became his signature. They were often interwoven with red bandanas or cloths that solidified his iconic look.
The haircut of 2010
Willie shocked his fans when, at the age of 77, he cut off his braids while vacationing in Hawaii.
At the time, his spokesperson said he was tired of the maintenance, But his shorter do was shortlived and fans were thrilled that as his hair grew back, his braids did too
Willie Nelson: 5 surprising facts
1. Songwriting star
Willie Nelson wrote his first song when he was seven years old and joined his first band aged ten.
2. Abandoned by parents
Willie and his brother, Bobbie Nelson, were given up by their mother and father, and their grandparents ended up raising them.
3. He has two birthday
Willie was born on April 29, 1933; however, he was born close to midnight, meaning the county clerk recorded his birthday as April 30. So he now celebrates on both days!
4. Hospital bill affair
His ex-wife, Shirley Collie, learned Willie was having a decades-long affair when she discovered a hospital bill revealing his mistress had given birth to a baby girl.
5. IRS tensions
In 1990, the IRS claimed Willie owed $32 million in income taxes and seized most of his assets. He released an album called The IRS Tapes: Who Will Buy My Memories? and the sales contributed to paying off his debt.
His bond with his wife
Willie bonded with his fourth wife, Annie D’Angelo, over his hair.
They first met in 1986 on the set of his TV movie Stagecoach. She was a makeup artist and according to the New York Times, they connected over his infamous long hair.
The outlet revealed that Annie agreed with her future husband, that he shouldn’t have to cut his braids for the role.
Trigger over tresses
While his connection to his signature look is ever apparent, Willie has confessed that if it was a choice between his prized guitar, Trigger, or his long hair, he’d ditch the latter.
“If you had to get a haircut or a new guitar, what would you choose?” Jenna Bush Hager once asked Willie.
Without hesitation, he said: “I’d cut the hair off, and it’ll grow back.”
