If you grew up in the ’80s, chances are the glitzy-good pop song countdown show,”Solid Gold,” ruled your Saturday nights. The music was fun, but the real magic of “Solid Gold” (aside from the sax-heavy, Dionne Warwick-sung theme song) was the jazz-tastic “Solid Gold” dancers. From 1980 to 1988, the dancers performed slinky choreographed numbers to each of the top ten songs of the week–and principal dancer Darcel Wynn was their fearless leader. Oh, the majesty of Darcel! For five seasons, this Pittsburgh native turned America out with her unparalleled unitard collection, fearsome nails, and that glorious ’80’s weave (the style of which varied from ankle-length braids to a waterfall of pre-Jody Watley waves). Her look was major, but the dancing made her famous–you haven’t seen anything until you’ve witnessed Wynn
writhing around on the floor in a gilded full-body catsuit to the Pointer Sisters’ “Slow Hand.” After her run on “Solid Gold”, Wynn had three children, settled down with her husband (Glen Leonard of the Temptations), and became a born-again Christian. Recently, she resurfaced in an
interview with blogger Auntie Fashion, where she declared her leotard-clad former self to be the inspiration for the pants-less craze led by
Lady Gaga,
Beyonce and
Rihanna. Darcel Wynn, we are not worthy. Here, we rounded up some vintage Darcel photos, as well as hair products inspired by her Solid Gold look.
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