Weekend Rewind: Going with the 'Fro

Paul Holmes on Grunt Machine. Photo / NZ on Screen

Opinion

As summer holidays approach, and the need to maintain a corporate haircut temporarily subsides, it can be tempting to let it all grow out. NZ On Screen’s Nicky Harrop revisits some vintage footage of Kiwi celebs who opted to go with the ‘fro.

Sadly not so common today, it seems the afro enjoyed a brief period as haircut of choice in New Zealand's broadcasting community. From news desks to kids shows, some great examples can be found in our 1970s screen history.

Mark Williams perform It Doesn't Matter Anymore

Rocking a magnificent afro, Mark Williams funks it up in this version of the Buddy Holly/Paul Anka classic It Doesn't Matter Anymore. Filmed in 1977, the clip also sees Williams resplendent in bell-bottoms and matching crop top. These days, a rather different looking Williams handles vocal duties for Dragon.

Paul Holmes on Grunt Machine

1975 saw rock show Grunt Machine visit Wellington radio station 2ZM, encountering a young afro-wearing DJ by the name of Paul Holmes. When interviewed, Holmes weighs in with a fairly disparaging attack on the Top 20 music chart - words he may or may not have reflected upon when he came to release his own covers album, 25 years later.

Radio Waves

Short-lived 70s soap Radio Waves charted the lives and loves of a commercial Auckland radio station. It also marked the screen debut of one Alan Dale, soon to be known to millions as Jim Robinson from Neighbours (and who would go on to feature in The O.C., Lost, Ugly Betty and several other high profile U.S. shows.) Here Dale plays a high-flying radio exec, sporting a nasty suit, and the makings of a fine 'fro.

It is I Count Homogenized

Predating Twilight by a good 30 years, the 70s heralded the arrival of our very own vampire screen star - the afro'd Count Homogenized. Packing snow white curls, a cape, and a lust for milk, the Count (played by actor Russell Smith) staked his way firmly into the hearts of a generation of Kiwi kids via A Haunting We Will Go, and later spinoff series It is I Count Homogenized.

Angela D'Audney

This montage of newsreaders past features the late Angela D'Audney with an impressive early 80s afro; fittingly while reporting on hippie-fests Sweetwaters and Nambassa. Her segment is followed by Richard Long sporting a pencil moustache, but of course that's a whole other kettle of fashion fish.