Never-Seen: Hells Angels, 1965

Gerald · 10-26-10, 07:42 AM

Rolling Thunder

From Jesse James to Tony Soprano, outlaws have always held a singular if ambiguous place in America's popular imagination: we fear and loathe their appetite for violence, yet we envy and covet their freedom. In early 1965, LIFE photographer Bill Ray and writer Joe Bride spent several weeks with a gang that, to this day, serves as a living, brawling embodiment of our schizoid relationship with the rebel: the Hells Angels. Here, in a gallery of never-published photographs, Ray and Bride recall their days and nights with Buzzard, Hambone, Big D, and other Angels (and their "old ladies") at a time when the roar of Harleys and the sight of long-haired bikers was still new, alien, and for the average, law-abiding citizen, simply terrifying. Above: Hells Angels, 1965 -- the one previously published image in this gallery. None of the pictures that follow have ever been seen before.

http://www.life.com/image/ugc1129811...ls-angels-1965

kiwi_2005 · 10-26-10, 08:09 AM

Cool pics. If freedom is outlawed only outlaws will have freedom.

DarkFish · 10-26-10, 08:26 AM

#4 looks awfully much like my favorite bar

Gerald · 10-26-10, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarkFish

#4 looks awfully much like my favorite bar

AVGWarhawk · 10-26-10, 09:13 AM

Definitely a part of the American fabric. Reminds me of the movie "Easy Rider."

I think they do charity rides for Toys for Tots.

krashkart · 10-26-10, 09:23 AM

Love that photo spread. The shot taken outside the bar at night is one of my favorites.

Gerald · 10-26-10, 11:52 AM

#15 If I have a time machine.....

DarkFish · 10-26-10, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vendor

Cool, with pool and close to the bar counter,

and with semi-long-haired bearded guys in leather jackets

Gerald · 10-26-10, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarkFish

and with semi-long-haired bearded guys in leather jackets

Penguin · 10-26-10, 03:45 PM

If any of you guys is interested in the HA's from the 60s, I can definitely recommend "Hells Angels" by Hunter S. Thompson. He accompanied them for a while, around the time these pics were taken. A good read and a good insight, no sugarcoating but also no demonizing.

DarkFish · 10-26-10, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vendor

The thoughts of a beer is not far away,

aye!

Now Metalheads don't look too different from Bikers, so I guess that explains why I feel so much at home when looking to that picture

(PS: bonus points for anyone knowing both bands!

)

10-26-10, 08:09 AM	#2
kiwi_2005 Eternal Patrol Join Date: May 2004 Location: Aeoteroa Posts: 7,382 Downloads: 223 Uploads: 1	Cool pics. If freedom is outlawed only outlaws will have freedom. __________________ RIP kiwi_2005 Those who can't laugh at themselves leave the job to others.

10-26-10, 08:26 AM	#3
DarkFish Sea Lord Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Stinking drunk in Eindhoven, the Netherlands Posts: 1,844 Downloads: 28 Uploads: 0	#4 looks awfully much like my favorite bar __________________

10-26-10, 09:13 AM	#5
AVGWarhawk Lucky Jack Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: In a 1954 Buick. Posts: 28,253 Downloads: 90 Uploads: 0	Definitely a part of the American fabric. Reminds me of the movie "Easy Rider." I think they do charity rides for Toys for Tots. __________________ “You're painfully alive in a drugged and dying culture.” ― Richard Yates, Revolutionary Road

10-26-10, 11:52 AM	#7
Gerald SUBSIM Newsman Join Date: May 2008 Location: Close to sea Posts: 24,254 Downloads: 553 Uploads: 0	Women Without Men #15 If I have a time machine..... __________________ Nothing in life is to be feard,it is only to be understood. Marie Curie

10-26-10, 07:42 AM	#1
Gerald SUBSIM Newsman Join Date: May 2008 Location: Close to sea Posts: 24,254 Downloads: 553 Uploads: 0	Never-Seen: Hells Angels, 1965 Rolling Thunder From Jesse James to Tony Soprano, outlaws have always held a singular if ambiguous place in America's popular imagination: we fear and loathe their appetite for violence, yet we envy and covet their freedom. In early 1965, LIFE photographer Bill Ray and writer Joe Bride spent several weeks with a gang that, to this day, serves as a living, brawling embodiment of our schizoid relationship with the rebel: the Hells Angels. Here, in a gallery of never-published photographs, Ray and Bride recall their days and nights with Buzzard, Hambone, Big D, and other Angels (and their "old ladies") at a time when the roar of Harleys and the sight of long-haired bikers was still new, alien, and for the average, law-abiding citizen, simply terrifying. Above: Hells Angels, 1965 -- the one previously published image in this gallery. None of the pictures that follow have ever been seen before. http://www.life.com/image/ugc1129811...ls-angels-1965 __________________ Nothing in life is to be feard,it is only to be understood. Marie Curie

10-26-10, 09:23 AM	#6
krashkart Navy Seal Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 5,292 Downloads: 100 Uploads: 0	Love that photo spread. The shot taken outside the bar at night is one of my favorites.

10-26-10, 03:45 PM	#10
Penguin Ocean Warrior Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Rheinische Republik Posts: 3,322 Downloads: 92 Uploads: 0	If any of you guys is interested in the HA's from the 60s, I can definitely recommend "Hells Angels" by Hunter S. Thompson. He accompanied them for a while, around the time these pics were taken. A good read and a good insight, no sugarcoating but also no demonizing.