In the 1950s, this signature hairstyle was not yet called the pompadour, but went by names such as
Generous volume, generous height and a generous amount of gel, it was a stone-cold grooming move and one that became a signature of the star. It was known simply as “the Elvis cut”, but actually it goes way back to Madame de Pompadour, a mistress of the French king Louis XV.
In the 1950s, while this hairstyle was not yet called the pompadour, it was donned by James Dean and Elvis Presley. It was known by other names (Quiff, ducktail, jelly roll, Rocker, Greaser, or simply "the Elvis cut").
In addition to being remembered as the King of Rock and Roll, Elvis wore a pompadour that was the stuff of Hollywood legend.
FORT CHAFFEE UNORGANIZED TERRITORY, Ark. —
haircut that rocked and shocked Elvis Presley fans around the world and became a historic pop culture event. The young King of Rock 'n' Roll symbolic G.I. buzz cut after his induction in the U.S. Army. The event is still celebrated at the Fort Chaffee Barbershop Museum.
I wear long hair and sideburns because some people look better with long hair. I do because my face is long. The fans like it long, I guess, because they first saw me that way. And I certainly don't want to do anything they wouldn't like.”— Elvis Presley to columnist Aline Mosby, June 1, 1957.
FORT SMITH (KFSM)- Nearly 60 years ago, a Fort Chaffee barber cut Elvis Presley's hair, which would later become the well-know “Elvis Buzz-cut. ̶...
To answer your question, what pomade did Elvis use? Royal Crown Pomade was what he and many stars of the time used.
During his late teens and early twenties, Elvis began dyeing his hair black – once with black shoe polish and again with black hair dye – on a regular basis. Angie explained, “Elvis was born blonde-haired and blue-eyed.” To improve his appearance on film, he dyed his hair black.
Speaking with Reel Talker, the 71-year-old said how The King didn't use gel but would keep his hair in place with hair spray. She added: “He was more a natural blonde, a dirty blonde. He died his hair black for drama.”
This "Fool's Gold Loaf" combined peanut butter, bananas, and bacon in a hollowed-out loaf of French bread, which was then deep-fried. Elvis was so tempted by the sound of this decadent sandwich that he flew everyone from Memphis to Denver in the middle of the night on his private jet.
Elvis Pioneered Gender-Fluid Fashion
In a climate of Brooks Brothers conformity, Elvis' fondness for bubble-gum pink clothing, lace, lashings of mascara (he was such a pro, he'd even apply girlfriends' make-up for them) and navel-baring cropped shirts, disrupted the status quo.
Elvis Presley was born a blond, as one portrait hanging in Graceland shows. His hair started to darken somewhat in adolescence to a light brown, but aspiring to look like his heroes Tony Curtis or Marlon Brando, Elvis begin darkening his hair deliberately and dramatically.
The styles were introduced by Madame de Pompadour, mistress of King Louis XV of France, and was imitated by members of his court. Dressing the hair with a pompadour was favoured in the early 20th century.
The concept of a Classic Pompadour involves sweeping hair upwards from the face and worn high over the forehead. This is a typical men's hairstyle from the 1950s and early 1960s, which was worn by celebrities such as Elvis Presley and James Dean.
Though Elvis became famous for his boyish clean-cut good looks, he was still able to grow a beard, as he did for the 1969 western Charro!, pictured below: But let's look at both of these beards a little closer.
Elvis Presley Spent a Crazy Amount for a Haircut
However, if you look at the rate of inflation it gets even crazier. The check in the photo was written in 1961. In today's money that's around $874 and some change. That's right.
Thankfully that famous footage came through and we were able to use it, and that's the real Elvis. It's so interesting that a lot of people don't realize we cut to the real Elvis because it punches me in the heart every time I see that scene and you see Elvis' face.”
Then there was the daily routine. “I shampooed his hair regularly, usually every day. I would massage his scalp for a few minutes, then brush his hair at least 50 or 60 strokes.
His Famous Dance Moves Were Thanks To His Nerves
Elvis was so nervous during his first performances in the 1950s that his legs would often shake. After seeing the wild reaction the audience (especially the women) had to these weird moves, he decided to keep them and put them in future shows.
While his gorgeous locks of jet-black hair that perfectly complement Elvis Presley's eye color of striking ice blue helped him seduce any woman possible, it's surprising to know that The King of Rock' n' Roll was actually born a natural blonde.