<P> Long - haired male tourists attempting to enter Singapore were made to visit the barber or leave the country . Those who took the latter option were barred from re-entering the country for months even if they already got their hair cut . In 1972, a few protesting Australian tourists reportedly urged the masses to boycott Singapore . The Australian High Commission took note of their dissatisfaction, and promptly made a formal inquiry into the incident, though admitting that it was not its prerogative to complain about it . </P> <P> In 1974, 8,172 male government workers were called up for having long hair . Some eleven of them were dished a fine, whilst four others left the government . Although the ban by right only applied to men, a handful of female schoolchildren in Singapore were reported to have had their long hair forcefully cut short after being warned countless times . In justification, the school's principal, who was responsible for cutting their hair, claimed that she was following the law . </P> <P> Japanese entertainer Kitarō was forced to cancel his 1984 gig in Singapore because of his long hair, which he refused to cut . Similarly, Cliff Richard, Led Zeppelin and the Bee Gees were all supposed to perform in Singapore at different points in time but left because of the ban . </P> <P> The ban is frequently mentioned in books about Singapore, to exemplify the fact about it being strict in terms of discipline . In 1982, Australian rock band Little River Band released the song "Down On The Border", in which a reference to the ban on long hair is made in the lyrics "And I never will go to Singapore / The people there will cut your hair / In Singapore". The ban has been compared with Singapore's ban on chewing gum . In November 2013, The Straits Times listed it as one of the fifty items relating to Singapore's history . </P>

In which year was led zeppelin refused entry into singapore because they had long hair