Haircut 100

Though they didn't last long, Haircut One Hundred made an indelible mark on '80s pop. Singer/guitarist Nick Heyward and bassist Les Nemes were the intial core of the band, having played together in a number of earlier groups. They founded Haircut One Hundred in 1980, and by the time they cut their first album for Arista Records in 1981 the band also included saxophonist Phil Smith, percussionist Marc Fox, guitarist Graham Jones, and drummer Blair Cunningham. Their 1981 debut single, "Favourite Shirts (Boy Meets Girl)," reached No. 4 in the U.K. and became ubiquitous in dance clubs and college radio in the U.S. The band's combination of classic British pop hooks with funk and Latin music and their fresh-faced preppy image made them stars in the U.K. Their 1982 debut LP, Pelican West, hit No. 2 in England, and the band scored three more Top 10 singles that year. But the band's sudden fame became too much for frontman Heyward to handle, and he became unable to function within the band. The rest of Haircut One Hundred attempted to move forward without him, with Fox taking over vocals and the whole band pitching in with songwriting. But their post-Heyward album, Paint and Paint, was a flop, and the band split up soon after. Heyward went on to a long, successful solo career, and Haircut One Hundred reunited for sporadic performances at various points over the years.