Hells Angels Founder Sonny Barger, Gone.

The motorcycle has always been a symbol of freedom and to a certain extent rebellion. The idea of riding on the open road, wind in your face, no helmet and no one telling you what to do is part of the fantasy of true independence. I’m not a rider, but I have friends who are and they love the road and the ride. Motorcycles have been part of our cinema folklore for a long time as well. Marlon Brando playing the sensitive gang leader in “The Wild One”, Steve McQueens great ride in “The Great Escape” and of course Peter Fonda and Dennis Hopper in “Easy Rider”. I make these points because a singular personality in the motorcycle lore has passed. Sonny Barger, the founder and Godfather of the Hells Angels has died at age 83. Amazing that he lived this long!  I write this not to glorify him, but simply to place him in the turnstile of individuals who have had an affect on many whether that affect was positive or negative. This guys was no angel (Hells Angel not withstanding), but he was  a force to be reckoned with.  A Marketing and organizational star. His life was like a big screen black and white movie with real life implications. Storybook esq, but not a bedtime read for the kids.

Sonny Barger, Founder Of The Hells Angels, Passes At Age 83.