Guitarist’s hair catches fire during Kiss classic… but he keeps on playing

Things got a little too hot for rock tribute band Hairball last weekend.

The band were playing in Sioux City, Iowa, when they launched into Kiss classic Detroit Rock City when the pyros went off… setting fire to vocalist and guitarist Bobby Jensen’s hair while he was in full Paul Stanley mode.

As can be seen in the video footage below, one of his bandmates tries to put out the blaze before the road crew douse the flames thanks to some quick thinking.

While the drama is going on, Jensen doesn’t miss a note – and carries on as if nothing out of the ordinary was going on.

He told UCR: “I live an Evil Knievel kind of life, so if I'm on fire a little bit, I don't care, that's just part of the fun "I knew I was on fire right away, and that wasn't a wig, that's my hair. It was really nice and foofy before the show, now I have a much better Alice Cooper cut.”

While this had never happened to Jensen before, he added: “We always prepare for it. That's why you didn't see me freak out. I have 100% faith in my guys that they'll get to me and put me out. So I just thought, 'I'll sing to everybody while I'm on fire."

Hairball describe themselves on their website as “a bombastic celebration on arena rock” and pay tribute to various artists during their live shows including Kiss, Guns N’ Roses, AC/DC, Poison, Journey, Ozzy, Alice Cooper, Judas Priest, Queen and Van Halen.

Scott has spent 37 years in newspapers, magazines and online as an editor, production editor, sub-editor, designer, writer and reviewer. Scott joined our news desk in 2014 before moving into e-commerce in 2020. Scott maintains Louder’s buyer’s guides, highlights deals, and reviews headphones, speakers, earplugs and more. Over the last 12 years, Scott has written more than 11,500 articles across Louder, Classic Rock, Metal Hammer and Prog. He's previously written for publications including IGN, Sunday Mirror, Daily Record and The Herald, covering everything from news and features, to tech reviews, video games, travel and whisky. Scott's favourite bands are Fields Of The Nephilim, The Cure, New Model Army, All About Eve, The Mission, Cocteau Twins, Drab Majesty, Marillion and Rush.