Local business owner and hair stylist Nancy Glorio found out last month that impressing  clients with  professionalism and styling skills can occasionally offer unexpected perks. That’s when one of her happy regulars at St. Helena’s Salon Glorio, Wendy Darneal, asked if Glorio would like the enviable job of pre-performance stylist to the very famous “big hair” of the B-52s’ Cindy Wilson and Kate Pierson. Darneal works in hospitality helping to pull off this season’s 40th anniversary of the Robert Mondavi Winery Summer Music Festival, and knew that this weekend’s headliners would need VIP hair help.

Big hair has been part of the B-52s’ signature style since the quirky alt-rock band’s start in the college town of Athens, Georgia back in the late ‘70s. Their name comes from hip ‘50s slang for a bouffant up-do in the bullet shape of the nosecone of the B-52 bomber.

Touring nationally to promote their 2008 album, “Funplex,” the B-52s first album release since 1992 — the two front ladies have kept their unique harmonies and remarkable fashion sense intact, but the celebrated Beehives have enjoyed a major update.

Glorio lugged a huge assortment of hairstyling tools to RMW Saturday afternoon and waited a bit nervously backstage with fellow Salon Glorio stylist Cher Rodgers for Pierson and Wilson to finish their wine tasting and come settle in for  wardrobe, make-up (they do their own — even the sparkly-tipped big lashes), and the all-important hair. Glorio is no stranger to doing celebrity hair — John Kennedy, Jr. was one of her regulars back in 1980s NYC — but she’s a big fan of the B-52s and wanted everything to go smoothly.

The two rolled in, happy with the Napa Valley hospitality. Rodgers got the word from Wilson: she wanted her long blonde hair pulled into an up-do to spill out from underneath a wide-brimmed hat. Pierson needed something more elaborate: Glorio got out the flat-iron and some product to polish Kate’s “wicked blonde streak” atop her vibrantly red hair and hot-pink extensions. Pierson laughed to hear the B-52s had long been Glorio’s favorite “get-the-party-started” music, but even she found herself humming bits of “Love Shack” as Glorio poufed, clipped and sprayed.

Before long, the transformation from everyday people to full-on rock stars was complete. After some gracious conversation with hostess Margrit Mondavi and posing for some pre-show photos, the B-52s took the stage to roars of crowd approval.

According to concert-goer Corey Considine, the band didn’t disappoint, though she was expecting to see the legendary Beehives. Considine danced her way to the front of the spirited crowd — “their music brings out the spontaneous in people!” — to get a closer look at Kate’s “blingin’ hair and rocking dress that really stood out in a sea of chic black!”

Nancy Glorio has lived in St. Helena since 1993. Big-city born and trained in both Los Angeles and New York City, Glorio wasn’t sure how she’d adjust to small-town living. But she and husband Ron, a wine educator who worked many years at Tra Vigne, have contentedly raised three children here. Glorio’s experience in NYC’s fast-changing styling scene gave her a fresh, experimental attitude as she worked as an independent hairdresser, building up a loyal clientele.

When Elizabeth & Company closed its doors in 2003, the time was finally right. “I never aspired to average,” said Glorio. “I wanted to open my own salon, but it couldn’t be Betty’s Beauty Box on the corner. It had to be just the right space, very private and tucked away, sort of chic and Zen, and welcoming to all ages.”

The relaxing studio on Spring Street opens onto an inner garden from the upper level of the 19th century Swiss Hotel (across from Martini House). Glorio is dedicated to keeping her creativity inspired and makes continuing education a priority with the salon’s three stylists — Cher Rodgers, Kendall Mund, and newest up-do specialist, Mari Cruz.

 “Training really stretches your limits — fuels your passion. Then you bring renewed enthusiasm back to your regular clients and translate the outrageous/avante-garde into the kind of wearable hair that is right for that individual.”

Glorio is considering stretching her own limits and expanding into the downstairs space recently vacated by Flats.

Glorio said she is excited to open the salon doors this Friday for Cheers! St. Helena. Her husband, Ron, will be pouring Franciscan wines and the stylists will have shears ready to offer $5 bang trims and $5 beard trims.

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