10 Unusual 1970s Lead Singers

By Nathan Hastings /

6. Mark Mothersbaugh, Devo (Est. 1973)

Ex-art student Mark Mothersbaugh was very concerned with humanity€™s de-evolution (Devo, get it?). Like a musical mad scientist, he obsessed over the idea that people had become more primitive over time. He expressed this theory by marching around stage in black short shorts and nuclear jumpsuits, sweating like a hippo, calling us all pinheads. He proclaimed his lyrics like each line was a €œEureka!€ He paced, pounded his chest, and jabbed his fingers at the sky. When not in motion he just seemed pent-up. Then of course was Booji Boy (pronounced €œBoogie€), a character Mothersbaugh used occasionally in performance and videos. Oh, Booji Boy. He would come out in a jumpsuit, child-face mask, and glasses, singing an unconvincing falsetto. Booji Boy even did songs from inside a crib. And you should know, Dear Reader: rumor has it Booji Boy is still out there, somewhere.