I still regret not buying one of these things, which E. Pluribus Gergely can attest to my nearly buying one day, many moons ago.

As I once stated, the vest may be the only unnecessary piece of clothing cooler - at least in concept - than the poncho. However, as with the poncho, the vest has proven extremely difficult to apply to rock 'n roll fashion.

Although my posts are usually known for their diligent, thorough research, I'll state up front that I haven't taken the time to research the first instance of a rock 'n roll artist featuring a vest. I would bet that vests first crept into rock fashion through country music. Cowboys in Westerns wear a type of vest, right? A highly unscientific stroll through my mind, however, tells me that vests first caught on among rock 'n rollers in the mid-60s, possibly through American garage bands.

As I first thought about this piece, the following image of this famous rocker and His early band sprang to mind:

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Is that all there is?

I never liked KISS - in fact I couldn't stand them - but like all rock-loving kids in the '70s, the first time photos leaked of the band members without their mighty makeup, I snatched up a copy of whatever magazine and took a peek:

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OK, maybe you've had some time to think about this question, based on our current poll: Why do British rockers typically have more style than American rockers?

Is it, as the poll states:

• Because they're still playing catch up to the original, stylish American rockers.
• Because they wear "trousers."
• Because they lack America's midwestern population of rockers still aspiring to look like The Raspberries.
• Another reason, which you will answer in this thread.
• Or do you disagree with this premise altogether and are ready to discuss it now?

Personally, I think the British have been working harder all these years to catch up to Elvis, Little Richard, et al.

Mom threw me out 'til I get some pants that fit.

Wearing the right jeans at the right time have long been a crucial element to rock 'n roll stardom. It may have been a passage from Clinton Heylin's excellent oral history of proto-punk, From the Velvets to the Voidoids, that's stuck with me all these years, but I recall cracking up at a comment by David Thomas of Pere Ubu regarding his inability to ever fit into cool jeans, not to mention his parents' complete lack of interest in keeping him dressed in the current Levi's fashion trends. He was talking about the humorous teen angst behind "Final Solution" when he bemoanded an adolescence stuck wearing the "BoBo" brand Big Yank jeans. As we knew then, as we know now, some brands don't cut it in rock 'n roll.

To ease the development process for aspiring young rockers as well as to revisit and perhaps gain closure on some of our denim growing pains, I thought it might be helpful to conduct a frank, candid forum on The Dos and Don'ts of Rock Jeans.

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The recent selection of The Rolling Stones' lips logo as Rock's Greatest Logo of All Time got me thinking of images from album covers, videos, and musical motifs suggested by an artist's recent release that were developed into memorable stage props.

Pink Floyd's flying pig, from the Animals record sleeve, is the first stage prop that comes to mind. The Residents have made significant use of thematic props in their rare live performances.

Less memorably, the Stones have wheeled out cheesy inflated versions of the lips logo and giant supermodels, possibly related to some '90s video of them and the supermodels overtaking Manhattan. Then there's some legend of ZZ Top touring with cattle on stage. Did this actually happen? Not that I've looked too hard, but why have I never seen a photo or video from this tour?

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I was poking around in the archives and I came across a discussion in which folks were talking about starting a thread to determine once and for all which rock band has the best logo. I don’t think that discussion ever materialized so I’m starting it here.

What is the Greatest Rock Logo of All Time?

Please don’t just say the name, show your work too. And don’t let your personal taste about the band’s music affect your appreciation of their branding skills.

I'm going to go with...

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I wanted to post something socially relevant that would show that Rock Town Hall cares about today's Martin Luther King Day celebration - and believe me, we do - but then I got distracted by Dion's Look in this 1968 performance of "Abraham, Martin, and John." I started thinking about artists who've crafted a new Look specifically to support a new, more serious and introspective direction. Unplugged-era Clapton came to mind. What other artists have crafted a new Look specifically to support a deeper artistic direction?

You'll recall our recent poll concerning rockers in need of a new hairdo. Your choice of Queen guitarist Brian May was inspired. According to Rock Town Hall Salon's stylist Toby Wetland, "Brian's facial structure and skull shape present so many options. It's a wonder he didn't change hairstyles every few months!" In fact, Wetland and his staff envisioned so many options that they used a specially develop RTH Labs computer modeling program to determine the best option. Before we tell you what exciting new Look was decided upon, how about you tell us which option you would have chosen?

Digital modeling by RTH Labs and The Back Office.

The Townspeople have spoken.

The Townspeople have spoken. Queen guitarist Brian May is badly in need of a new hairdo. Highly trained staff from the Rock Town Hall Salon have begun planning the rocker's new hairstyle. We're confident it will freshen up his Look to lead the remaining Queen members' continued efforts to commemorate their deceased frontman, Freddie Mercury.

Gone with the wind!

Ladies, linger over this shot while it lasts. You're about to be blown away!

The Soundtrack of My Would-Be Life

As we've contemplated Rock Town Hall's MVJRP, some of you may have recalled our examination of the series of legendary Japanase tv ads starring Charles Bronson for the deodorant/talcum powder/sex aid Mandom. Well, at least that's where my mind wandered. An extensive YouTube search for further Mandom ads turned up this most-shocking find, a hit song (in Japan) centered around the concept of Mandom. Check it out...after the jump!

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