1980s Punk Gallerys

In October 1983 Bristol, UK punk rocker Peter Mortiboys was sacked from his job as an apprentice at Rolls Royce car manufacturers. Reason being because his employees in their infinite wisdom saw his spikey hair
as a threat to the safety of his fellow employees (snigger). His story was given national exposure by the UK Press and was seen by Clash minder and PR stunt co-ordinator Kosmos Vinyl. Vinyl didn't get him his job back but he offered him a bassplayers slot in a London punk band? Dunno whatever happened to Peter's punk career or his acne?...but it's a jolly good story to tell his grandkids. More media coverage below...

PETER MORTIBOYS - And the Spikes deemed a threat to other workers safety!

LONDON - Rolls-Royce fired an apprentice because they said his punk hairstyle posed a safety hazard on the job. Rolls-Royce - the decidedly up-market auto-maker - fired Peter Mortiboys Tuesday from his technician apprenticeship because they said his haircut, styled in four-inch long spikes tipped with glue, could poke out co-workers' eyes.
'His haircut was unacceptable,' said a manager at Rolls-Royce's aero-engine plant at Bristol in western England.
'It represented a safety hazard. His overall appearance was below the standards we expect from one of our
technicians in this department.'
Mortiboy's job had previously been threatened when he showed up to work wearing 18 earrings, a dog collar,
chains, a studded jacket with steel armlets and a stud in his nose, the company said.
Mortiboys, 18, said by the company to be of above-average ability, didn't accept management's decision to fire him from his £120-a-week job.
'I mix with people all the time in crowded nightclubs and I have never injured anyone,' he said. 'I didn't cut
(the spikes) off because I'm not happy unless I look the way I want to look.'
London news article - October 12th 1983