They say that who you first crush on lays the foundation of the type of partner you’d find attractive later in life. Well, my first pre-teen movie star crush was James Dean. I fell in celluloid love with his acting, his creative brilliance, his eccentricities, his style and his hair. Added bonus thrill for me when I found out that he and I coincidentally shared the same birthdate.
Photos: Dennis Stock | Roy Schatt
Then in high school, I discovered The Smiths. My teen angst self fell for the music, Johnny Marr’s jangly guitar, Morrissey’s voice and of course, his quiff.
Morrissey famously idolized James Dean, even writing a song about him, Suedehead. The homage music video was even filmed in Dean’s hometown of Fairmount, Indiana.
Towards the end of high school, I became obsessed with David Lynch’s cult TV show, Twin Peaks. I watched it religiously, not missing a single episode of season one.
I was so much of a Twin Peaks fan, that years later, I jumped at the chance to travel to the real Twin Peaks. and that was with Sean, an even bigger David Lynch fan than me.
Photo: Jerome Bonnet
Looking back, I find it amusing that the physical characteristics of these 3 left-of-centre, pompodoured men would eventually point me to who I would be with today.
My very own Suedehead. Also marching to the beat of a different drum.
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