Curls and Concerts

by Mandy Johnson
(Annapolis, Maryland)

I write books for a living (latest Spy Fiction being Circle Around The Sun - Part One Of The ISIS Project, whose heroine of course has thick curly hair too!).

Sometimes I'm lucky enough to review concerts often at a moment's notice, so I don't have time to fuss and blow dry. Hence - living with the locks.

In 1964 as a young girl in Liverpool, England at the onset of Beatlemania I too dreamed of singing rock 'n roll. Everyone else had a Beatle hair cut and I had Le curl, the kink, the woolly Beatle and the pure hell of straight hair fashion.

One of the people I met in those days was the Publisher of Mersey Beat (Now Online) a magazine which in those days had the clout of the American Rolling Stone. His name was Bill Harry, friend and confidante of John Lennon and the rest of the lads who made music history. Not too long ago during a Carnegie Hall show by Beatle tribute band 1964 the Tribute I had the pleasure of once again meeting Bill and his wife Virginia after forty four years! I was most recognizable by my curls - they had stood the test of time - no more embarrassment, straightening combs, irons and pain.

My natural, gorgeous hair is still healthy, shining and totally me! It remains free from straight hair bondage and I never looked back since 1967 when I went 'natural' - The curls have it.

So for all you surly curly girls out there, take a lesson from an old curl - free the locks and your mind will follow!