Renowned Chevron Island barber Paul Musson retires after decades of service

A beloved Gold Coast barber has laid down his clippers after a fierce battle with a rare form of cancer. READ HIS STORY

He’s cut hair for the mayor and sung for our country’s leaders.

But now Paul Musson is stepping away from guitar strings and the scissors as he prepares for the fight of his life.

Mr Musson has opened up to the Bulletin about his cancer diagnosis and finishing up at his barbershop – a much-loved Chevron Island institution.

The 76-year-old admits he doesn’t want to hang up the clippers but is retiring to take care of his health.

Renowned Gold Coast barber Paul Musson hangs up his clippers. Picture Glenn Hampson

“I’ve been cutting hair for over 50 years now, and I’ve been in this shop on the Gold Coast for over 30 years,” Mr Musson said. “I don’t want to go, but it’s the health that’s making me go.”

A rare bone marrow cancer, affecting only one in 100,000 people aged between 60 and 70, has confined Paul to a relentless cycle of hospital visits and treatments.

“I’m in and out of the hospital most of the week, I can’t even sing anymore because of this cancer I’ve got.”

As well as being a barber, Mr Musson has enjoyed a successful career as an entertainer.

He started out playing music at just 13 and was a member of the band Sons of Bacchus through the 70s.

He performed for former Prime Ministers Malcolm Fraser and Gough Whitlam.

Paul Musson has been a muso all his life, playing through the 70s in band 'Sons of Bacchus' and with legends such as Lucky Star. Paul now runs his own Barber Shop at Chevron.

“I sang for Gough at the Melbourne Town Hall in 1974 and 16 years later I was asked to sing for him again in Brisbane at the Labor Party meeting.”

He said that he had to give away his beloved guitar and musical instruments after his diagnosis, which prevented him from performing.

“I used to sing five to six days a week at local clubs on the Gold Coast after I finished cutting hair.”

As for his career cutting hair, Mr Musson has plenty of fond memories, including trimming up Mayor Tom Tate.

“I cut the mayors hair, I’ve been Tom Tate’s barber for the past 28 years … he comes in all the time,” Mr Musson said.

“He’s a great guy but would probably have to go somewhere else now.”

In a sign of the pair’s friendship, Mr Tate was quick to pay tribute to Mr Musson.

Paul Musson used to be in a band and he sang for both Malcom Fraser and Gough Whitlam. Photo of him at his business on Chevron Island which is called Paul Musson Barber Shoppe. Photo by Richard Gosling

“It is an end of an era for my barber, Paul hanging up the clippers after 30 years (there),” Mr Tate said.

“It’s sad because where else can you get serenaded while you get a haircut at the same time? He even took requests – mine was Bad Habits by Billy Field.

“Paul has been mine and my sons’ barber for over 20 years and we have been proud to support someone who epitomises the hardworking Gold Coast businessman.”

Paul Musson has been a muso all his life, playing through the 70s in band 'Sons of Bacchus' and with legends such as Lucky Star. Photo by Richard Gosling

Originally published as Renowned Chevron Island barber Paul Musson retires after decades of service