“Want some history on the Hells Angels as I know it? Or you can Google.”
I have posted links to a couple of the good ones. Like the Pagan/HA war in Philly.
I wasn't talking about their wars. I was asking if anyone knows how the Hell's Angels started.
Basically, they were post WWII veterans who still wanted the adrenaline rush and motorcycle races and hill-climbing satisfied that rush. Unfortunately, as they got more wild with their partying a bad element joined in. It all culminated in 1947 at the Hollister hill-climb competition (Gypsy Tour that sill exists) where they were excluded because of their attitudes. That's when the so-called Hollister riot occurred.
It was way over-blown by the media because ONE guy rode his bike into a bar and they were drinking on the streets and leaving beer bottles and cans around. Hardly a riot. It was the genesis of the movie, "The Wild Ones". I was there for the 50th anniversary in 1997 and learned a great deal how the whole hard-core biker mystique originated.
By the early 60's many of the original Vets were gone, but the hard-drinking hard-riding legacy lived and grew and they became so obsessed with partying and absolute freedom in the back country they became outlaws. That's when they took the name Hells Angels from a WWII Army Air Corp Squadron. Even at that time they weren't mean unless you crossed them. Then I guy named Sonny Barger organized the club in San Bernardino, CA and they went rogue. I actually talked to Sonny up in a Reno about his bike shop in Scottsdale, AZ. Not sure it's still there.
Point is the HA's started out as Veterans looking for thrills but overdid their stay on the Gypsy Tour in Hollister and got pissed. The rest is history.
There were also some other WWII vet motorcycle clubs back in the day like the Galloping Gooses and Iron Horsemen. I was actually naive enough to consider being a Prospect for the Satan's Slaves or Straight Satans? (a sister club of the Los Angeles HA's).
I went to one party and watch their depraved antics like pissing on the first person to pass out, "red wings turns", passing around the "mamas", having to wear what was called "originals" (months old Levis with grease and other filth), and expeditions to find blacks to beat up. That was all too much for me - and have never had any interaction with those sick assholes since. However, I've had many great times with your average Harley rider. Just stay away and don't talk to 1%ers.
I wasn't talking about their wars. I was asking if anyone knows how the Hell's Angels started.
Basically, they were post WWII veterans who still wanted the adrenaline rush and motorcycle races and hill-climbing satisfied that rush. Unfortunately, as they got more wild with their partying a bad element joined in. It all culminated in 1947 at the Hollister hill-climb competition (Gypsy Tour that sill exists) where they were excluded because of their attitudes. That's when the so-called Hollister riot occurred.
It was way over-blown by the media because ONE guy rode his bike into a bar and they were drinking on the streets and leaving beer bottles and cans around. Hardly a riot. It was the genesis of the movie, "The Wild Ones". I was there for the 50th anniversary in 1997 and learned a great deal how the whole hard-core biker mystique originated.
By the early 60's many of the original Vets were gone, but the hard-drinking hard-riding legacy lived and grew and they became so obsessed with partying and absolute freedom in the back country they became outlaws. That's when they took the name Hells Angels from a WWII Army Air Corp Squadron. Even at that time they weren't mean unless you crossed them. Then I guy named Sonny Barger organized the club in San Bernardino, CA and they went rogue. I actually talked to Sonny up in a Reno about his bike shop in Scottsdale, AZ. Not sure it's still there.
Point is the HA's started out as Veterans looking for thrills but overdid their stay on the Gypsy Tour in Hollister and got pissed. The rest is history.
There were also some other WWII vet motorcycle clubs back in the day like the Galloping Gooses and Iron Horsemen. I was actually naive enough to consider being a Prospect for the Satan's Slaves or Straight Satans? (a sister club of the Los Angeles HA's).
I went to one party and watch their depraved antics like pissing on the first person to pass out, "red wings turns", passing around the "mamas", having to wear what was called "originals" (months old Levis with grease and other filth), and expeditions to find blacks to beat up. That was all too much for me - and have never had any interaction with those sick assholes since. However, I've had many great times with your average Harley rider. Just stay away and don't talk to 1%ers.