I think Meat cut his hair to audition for Everything That Rises .. then found they expected him to have long hair still
But the first time I saw him with short hair I thought he looked years younger. To me a wise decision .. avoiding that "oldest swinger in town" look that so many men have when they persists with shoulder length hair through their fifties
I'd agree he has achieved international fame as a rock singer rather than for his acting .. but would not ever describe his acting career as unsuccessful. He's made .. I guess over 60 films now, and although most have been in supporting roles I think that is as much due to his choices (he'll turn down a starring role if he doesn't think it is a challenge), and that he needs often to slot them in between or during tours, and that must be easier with supporting roles. Meat's about the quality of the work and imo is a very skilled actor. That he has been inducted into the Texas Film Hall of Fame speaks volumes for how he is viewed in the industry and by his peers, and I'm sure that is more important to him than fame per se, and indicates a significant level of success. Had there never been a BOOH I think he'd have made a significant name as an actor.
Whether people know him as a rock performer or actor doesn't matter to me .. I love his versatility .. actor, rock performer, TV host .. and like Mouse I would have thought that becoming known via a film role could well get people interested in him as a rock performer, or in his words an actor who sings.
To watch him perform on stage shows clearly that he lost none of his vigour by cutting his hair .. he's no Samson
He may need recovery time .. but then he's always wiped himself out whenever he's stepped on stage for a show, and he retains a youthful energy and attitude that many of his years don't muster in my view.
Caryl