David Bowie is interviewed by the Daily Mirror

Two days before the release of his second single ‘I Pity The Fool’, David Bowie – then Davie Jones – gave an interview to the Daily Mirror newspaper on 3 March 1965.

The controversy was that the Manish Boys’ forthcoming appearance on the BBC’s Gadzooks! It’s All Happening was under threat due to the length of his hair.

The story was the idea of BBC producer Barry Langford, who was also interviewed for the piece. The interview, a continuation of Bowie’s media appearances in November 1964 with the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Long-Haired Men, was conducted at his family home in Bromley.

The Mirror report, headlined ‘DAVY GETS A HAIRCUT ORDER’, was on the front page of their 4 March 1965 edition.

Pop singer Davy Jones (pictured above) has been ordered to get his long blond locks trimmed.

The order comes from Barry Langford, producer of BBC-2’s pop show “Gadzooks.”

And if Davy doesn’t obey he will be barred from that show on Monday.

‘Victimised’

He was to have topped the bill, launching his new disc “I Pity The Fool.”

Last night Davy, who comes from Bromley, Kent, said: “I’ve said that I have no intention of having my hair cut. Mr. Langford has left the matter open till Friday in case I change my mind … but I won’t.”

Then he added: “I wouldn’t have my hair cut for the Queen. I feel I’m being victimised. Look at all the other pop groups with long hair – what about them?”

Mr. Langford, 39, said: “Kids today just don’t want this long haired business any more.”