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.

Betonov · 10-26-10, 05:50 PM

Remember the dayswhen I was a young rebel biker. We'd go ona tour in the middle of the night, exaust pipes drilled and the sound suppresor sawn off

Dindt get you far, but everyone knew where you were and where you are going

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!

)

kiwi_2005 · 10-26-10, 11:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarkFish

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!

)

bottom photo is the band moonsorrow.

TarJak · 10-26-10, 11:18 PM

#3's hat reminds me of Toadie from Mad Max 2:

Gerald · 10-27-10, 05:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TarJak

#3's hat reminds me of Toadie from Mad Max 2:

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, 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, 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, 09:23 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.

10-26-10, 05:50 PM	#11
Betonov Navy Seal Join Date: May 2009 Location: Slovenia Posts: 8,647 Downloads: 26 Uploads: 0	Remember the dayswhen I was a young rebel biker. We'd go ona tour in the middle of the night, exaust pipes drilled and the sound suppresor sawn off Dindt get you far, but everyone knew where you were and where you are going

10-26-10, 11:18 PM	#14
TarJak Fleet Admiral Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 17,052 Downloads: 150 Uploads: 8	#3's hat reminds me of Toadie from Mad Max 2: