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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsHair Club for Men founder -- and client -- Sy Sperling dies
http://www.startribune.com/hair-club-for-men-founder-and-client-sy-sperling-dies/568042192/
By TERRY SPENCER Associated Press FEBRUARY 20, 2020 12:39PM
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. Hair Club for Men founder Sy Sperling, famous for the TV commercials where he proclaimed I'm not only the Hair Club president but I'm also a client, died in Florida. He was 78.
Sperling died Wednesday in Boca Raton after a lengthy illness, spokeswoman Terri Lynn said Thursday.
In the late 1960s, Sperling was a balding New York City swimming pool salesman who was growing frustrated with toupees. "If you're dating and going to be having special moments, how do you explain, 'I got to take my hair off now?'" he said.
Using a weaving technique he learned from his hair stylist, Sperling took $10,000 in credit card debt to open his own salon on Madison Avenue where he perfected a system where a nylon mesh cap was glued to the scalp. The client's remaining hair would grow through it and then hair purchased from women that matched the color was woven into the mesh. The clients would then come in several times a year for adjustments.
Business took off but by the late 1970s had stagnated. Word of mouth was unreliable as many clients weren't eager to tell their friends they were using a hair-replacement system. He began advertising on television and in 1982, he went national with commercials running 400 times daily on late-night TV. They became so ubiquitous they were spoofed on the Tonight show and Saturday Night Live.
</snip>
By TERRY SPENCER Associated Press FEBRUARY 20, 2020 12:39PM
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. Hair Club for Men founder Sy Sperling, famous for the TV commercials where he proclaimed I'm not only the Hair Club president but I'm also a client, died in Florida. He was 78.
Sperling died Wednesday in Boca Raton after a lengthy illness, spokeswoman Terri Lynn said Thursday.
In the late 1960s, Sperling was a balding New York City swimming pool salesman who was growing frustrated with toupees. "If you're dating and going to be having special moments, how do you explain, 'I got to take my hair off now?'" he said.
Using a weaving technique he learned from his hair stylist, Sperling took $10,000 in credit card debt to open his own salon on Madison Avenue where he perfected a system where a nylon mesh cap was glued to the scalp. The client's remaining hair would grow through it and then hair purchased from women that matched the color was woven into the mesh. The clients would then come in several times a year for adjustments.
Business took off but by the late 1970s had stagnated. Word of mouth was unreliable as many clients weren't eager to tell their friends they were using a hair-replacement system. He began advertising on television and in 1982, he went national with commercials running 400 times daily on late-night TV. They became so ubiquitous they were spoofed on the Tonight show and Saturday Night Live.
</snip>
Cross gently, Sy. Sam Donaldson thanks you.
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Hair Club for Men founder -- and client -- Sy Sperling dies (Original Post)
Dennis Donovan
Feb 2020
OP
Initech
(100,068 posts)1. He's not just the president, he's also a member!
dweller
(23,629 posts)2. well, need to ask
did he keep his hair?
🤔
✌🏼
packman
(16,296 posts)3. Sad thing is hair today gone tomorrow
lagomorph777
(30,613 posts)4. Dammit you beat me to it.
llmart
(15,536 posts)5. Is this where the Dump got his?
If so, this guy didn't do such a good job.
dewsgirl
(14,961 posts)6. No, they did a much better job for their clients.
Whatever is going on up there is all Trump.
llmart
(15,536 posts)7. Maybe he should try a bumpit.
Or just a paper bag over his ugly head so we don't have to look at it any longer.
dewsgirl
(14,961 posts)8. Trump with a bumpit in his hair is hot. 🔥
😏