The Hells Angels is a notorious outlaw motorcycle club founded in 1948 in California, USA. The club has gained a reputation for being one of the most powerful and dangerous criminal organizations in the world, with a presence in many countries across the globe. The Hells Angels are known for their distinctive logo – a winged skull known as the “Death Head” – and their fiercely loyal brotherhood. Despite their controversial and often violent reputation, the club has a large following of devoted members and supporters who see it as a symbol of freedom, independence, and rebellion against authority.

History

The Hells Angels motorcycle club was founded in 1948 in Fontana, California, by a group of World War II veterans, including Sonny Barger, Ralph “Sonny” Gleason, and others. The group started out as a social club for motorcycle enthusiasts, but quickly grew into a larger organization that was involved in criminal activities, such as drug trafficking, extortion, and organized crime.

The club’s founders were influenced by the culture of post-war America, which was marked by a sense of rebellion and a desire for freedom. They were also inspired by the outlaw image of the American biker, which was popularized by films such as “The Wild One” and “Easy Rider.”

In the early days, the Hells Angels were not yet a fully formed motorcycle club, but rather a loose group of like-minded individuals who enjoyed riding and partying together. They soon adopted the name “Hells Angels” after a suggestion from one of their members, who had served in a military unit called the Hells Angels during World War II. The name stuck, and the group went on to become one of the most powerful and notorious outlaw motorcycle clubs in the world.

The Founders

The Hells Angels motorcycle club was founded in 1948 by a group of World War II veterans, including Sonny Barger, Ralph “Sonny” Gleason, and others. Sonny Barger is considered to be the most famous and influential of the founders, and he remained a leader of the club for many years.

Barger was born in Modesto, California, in 1938, and grew up in working-class neighborhoods. He began riding motorcycles at a young age and soon became involved in the outlaw biker scene. Barger was known for his charisma, his tough-guy persona, and his ability to organize and lead the Hells Angels.

Ralph “Sonny” Gleason was another important founder of the Hells Angels. Gleason was born in Oakland, California, in 1930, and like Barger, he was drawn to motorcycles and the outlaw biker lifestyle. Gleason was known for his loyalty to the Hells Angels and his willingness to use violence to protect the club’s interests.

Other notable founders of the Hells Angels include Otto Friedli, who helped to establish the first Hells Angels chapter in San Bernardino, California, and William “Chino” Sinnott, who played a key role in the expansion of the club into other states.

Together, these founders and others established the Hells Angels as a powerful and notorious outlaw motorcycle club, which would go on to become one of the most feared criminal organizations in the world.

Notable Events in HA History

notable events and incidents involving the Hells Angels that have made headlines in the past:

• In 1948, the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club (HAMC) was founded in California, USA.
• In 1969, a Hells Angel member was involved in the infamous Altamont Speedway Free Festival, where a concertgoer was killed.
• In 1994, a high-profile raid on the Hells Angels clubhouse in Halifax, Nova Scotia resulted in the arrest of 21 members and associates.
• In 2002, a massive brawl between the Hells Angels and the Mongols motorcycle club at Harrah’s Casino in Laughlin, Nevada, left three people dead and dozens injured.
• In 2006, a Hells Angel member was killed in a shooting at a tattoo shop in Toronto, Canada, which sparked a string of retaliatory attacks between the Hells Angels and rival gangs.
• In 2008, a Hells Angels member was convicted of murdering a fellow member in a dispute over money in San Francisco.
• In 2010, a Hells Angels member was convicted of attempted murder for shooting a member of the Outlaws motorcycle club in Florida.
• In 2018, a massive police operation resulted in the arrest of dozens of Hells Angels members and associates across Europe for drug trafficking, money laundering, and other crimes.

Please note that this list is not exhaustive and is provided for informational purposes only.

On the Big Screen

The Hells Angels motorcycle club has been referenced and portrayed in various forms of popular culture over the years. Here are some notable examples:

• In the 1960s, Hells Angels were portrayed in the classic biker exploitation films “Hells Angels on Wheels” (1967) and “Hell’s Angels ’69” (1969).
• The Hells Angels were featured prominently in Hunter S. Thompson’s book “Hell’s Angels: The Strange and Terrible Saga of the Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs” (1966), which chronicled his experiences riding with the club.
• In the 1970s, Hells Angels were portrayed in the cult classic film “Stone” (1974), which was set in Australia.
• The Hells Angels were referenced in the lyrics of several songs by the Rolling Stones, including “Sympathy for the Devil” and “Street Fighting Man.”
• In the 1980s, Hells Angels were portrayed in the television series “CHiPs” and the movie “The Wild One” (1953), which starred Marlon Brando as the leader of a fictional biker gang.
• The Hells Angels were featured in the true crime book “The Brotherhoods: The True Story of Two Cops Who Murdered for the Mafia” (1986), which detailed their involvement in organized crime.
• The Hells Angels were referenced in the lyrics of several songs by the band Motley Crue, including “Red Hot” and “All In The Name Of…”.
• The Hells Angels were portrayed in the television series “Sons of Anarchy” (2008-2014), which followed the fictional outlaw motorcycle club SAMCRO.

It’s worth noting that the Hells Angels and other outlaw motorcycle clubs do not officially endorse or condone their portrayal in popular media, and they have been critical of many depictions of their organization.

In Pop Culture

The Hells Angels motorcycle club has been referenced and portrayed in various forms of popular culture over the years. Here are some notable examples:

• In the 1960s, Hells Angels were portrayed in the classic biker exploitation films “Hells Angels on Wheels” (1967) and “Hell’s Angels ’69” (1969).
• The Hells Angels were featured prominently in Hunter S. Thompson’s book “Hell’s Angels: The Strange and Terrible Saga of the Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs” (1966), which chronicled his experiences riding with the club.
• In the 1970s, Hells Angels were portrayed in the cult classic film “Stone” (1974), which was set in Australia.
• The Hells Angels were referenced in the lyrics of several songs by the Rolling Stones, including “Sympathy for the Devil” and “Street Fighting Man.”
• In the 1980s, Hells Angels were portrayed in the television series “CHiPs” and the movie “The Wild One” (1953), which starred Marlon Brando as the leader of a fictional biker gang.
• The Hells Angels were featured in the true crime book “The Brotherhoods: The True Story of Two Cops Who Murdered for the Mafia” (1986), which detailed their involvement in organized crime.
• The Hells Angels were referenced in the lyrics of several songs by the band Motley Crue, including “Red Hot” and “All In The Name Of…”.
• The Hells Angels were portrayed in the television series “Sons of Anarchy” (2008-2014), which followed the fictional outlaw motorcycle club SAMCRO.

It’s worth noting that the Hells Angels and other outlaw motorcycle clubs do not officially endorse or condone their portrayal in popular media, and they have been critical of many depictions of their organization.