A SCOTTISH hairdresser is awaiting ratification of a new world record after he cut the hair of former Genesis lead singer Ray Wilson 800m down a German salt mine that was used by Adolf Hitler and senior Nazis to store their looted gold and art treasures.
Mike Quigley, 51, set the world record for the deepest subterranean haircut by a professional hairdresser below the concert hall of the famous Merkers Adventure Mines – which is home to the world’s largest underground music venue – in Germany at the weekend.It was in that mine in Thuringia in Germany in 1945 that American troops discovered more than 100 tons of gold bullion plus historic art treasures – the gold alone would be worth nearly £4 billion today.
Quigley is a long-time friend of Wilson, born in Dumfries but now resident in Poznan in Poland, and his band are currently on a tour of the continent, where they are much better known than in Britain.Wilson, who became lead singer of Genesis after Phil Collins quit the legendary band in 1996, agreed to take part in the record attempt before his concert down the Merkers mine at the weekend.
“It all started three years ago, when I was on tour with Ray and the band in Germany and elsewhere,” said Quigley, who is the senior stylist at the Kim McGregor salon in Stockbridge, Edinburgh.
“Ray’s brother asked for a haircut and when we got to the venue it was a massive church building, so I cut his hair there in the middle of this former church.
“On this tour, I just thought it would be fun to find another strange venue for a haircut, and when I learned they were doing a gig at the Merkers mine I did a bit of research and discovered they would be playing 500m down the mine and that there was another small venue 800m down.
“I checked the Guinness Book of Records website and though there are records for people having their hair cut underwater and on top of high mountains, there was none for anyone doing a proper hairdresser’s cut so far underground.”
What had started as a jokey idea became quite serious after Quigley contacted the Guinness Book of Records and they confirmed that they would recognise the haircut as a world record, as long as there was incontrovertible documentary proof of the attempt.
Speaking at his home in Edinburgh yesterday, Quigley confirmed that the haircut had taken place at the depth of 800m, and that video and photographic evidence would be submitted to Guinness World Records Ltd, whose e-mail to Quigley confirmed they would at least check his claim.
He said: “It was frankly amazing to get down to the various parts of the mine and realise we were standing where Hitler and the Nazis stored their looted gold bullion and all the great art treasures they stole from all over Europe.
“The story of the mine featured in George Clooney’s film Monuments Men, and it’s worth checking out the mine website to see the place, which is stunning.
“The main concert hall is the size of three football pitches and the only way I can describe it is like a cathedral under the ground.
“The concert was brilliant, and there was a full house – Ray’s got a new album out and his fans love it. He’s already started work on a new one.”
The trek deep into the mines was in two stages, with a jeep being needed to get the singer and his stylist to the 800m level.
“We were half a mile underground at that point,” said father-of-two Quigley, “and it was like walking into a crystal cave.
“I got set up and gave Ray his normal haircut and we had people on hand to make a video record and take photographs, so I’m hoping Guinness World Records will accept the evidence.”
Quigley is serious about his hairdressing art – he is a five-time a finalist in the Scottish Hairdresser of the Year contest – but has always enjoyed the lighter side of his work.
“I am ambitious about doing the best job I can,” he said, “but this was a bit of fun. I can’t thank Ray enough for taking part.
“I don’t know if we will get into the actual Book next year but it will be nice to have the record recognised.
”A spokesperson for Guinness World Records told The National last night: “Once Mike submits his evidence to his application, our records management team will be able to go through it all and award him with a Guinness World Records title if successful.”
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