American Salon Magazine - Jul 2012

FOR THE RECORD | Music icons past and present and the signature hairstyles they've made famous

From Elvis Presley's pompadour to Nicki Minaj's candy-colored creations, musicians' hairstyles have always been as much a part of their identities as their music. "Musicians are so visible," says celebrity and editorial hairdresser Oribe. "Their hair is one of the most identifiable aspects of their looks." Here are some of the music industry's biggest stars who have built an image around their hairstyles. —Lotus Abrams

I Want Candy Lady Gaga's colorful hairstyles have brought the kaleidoscopic hue trend to the forefront of the pop music scene after a long absence since '80s singers like Cyndi Lauper were sporting the style. "Gaga is the most important style icon of this era," Oribe says. "She sets the bar high for everyone else." Danilo, who is responsible for creating Katy Perry's beguiling blue Bettie Page look for Nickelodeon's Kids' Choice Awards in 2010, agrees that the color-crazy trend is hot right now. "The rainbow-colored gates have been opened, and thank God; it's pretty to the eye and fun to do," he says. Nicki Minaj also has an affection for candy-coated hues. The color chameleon has been seen wearing such shades as neon green and pink, a person favorite of her hairdresser, One Celebrity Stylist Terrence Davidson. "It's one of the trendiest colors going right now; I will start at the bottom of the spectrum and go all the way to hot pink with Nicki's color," he says.