With more than 100 headquarters spread across the continents, HAMC (Hells Angels Motorcycle Club) is the largest – and most controversial – motorcycle club in the world. Founded in 1948 in San Bernardino, California, the club gained fame providing security services at concerts by famous bands such as the Beatles. The controversy began in 1969 at the Altamont Music Festival. Security was on the Angels when one of the bikers was accused of murdering a young black man during a Rolling Stones concert. Since then, other members have been accused of involvement in fights, murders and illegal activities, leading the US Department of Security to add the Hells Angels and other clubs to a list of criminal organizations in 2011. Despite their fame, much of the The Angels’ history remains a mystery.
– Is it true that the Beatles broke up because of Yoko Ono?
on the road
A typical Angel travels 20,000 miles per year (about 32,000 km)
death head
The official website credits the badge to Frank Sadilek, a former president of the HAMC faction in San Francisco, California. As well as the group’s name, the colors, shape and style of the coat of arms were inspired by US military squadrons in World War II. The colors influenced one of the group’s nicknames, the «Big Red Machine».
Prerequisites
Joining the HAMC can take years. You must be invited by a member, have a driver’s license, a motorcycle and a clean police record. The candidate is introduced, participates in events and becomes a member. But he only earns the badge if he is accepted unanimously. In addition to the insignia jacket, members wear brooches and embroidered patches indicating their status in the club.
A Harley please
Members must own a Harley-Davidson motorcycle with a minimum 750cc engine. The relationship with the brand, however, is turbulent. Sonny Barger, the gang’s official spokesman, admitted in The Life and Times of Sonny Barger and the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club that if he wasn’t in the HAMC, he’d probably own a BMW or a Honda.
What they do?
The Hells Angels are secretive about their activities, but books and reports have revealed some secrets. In the USA, for example, the main meeting of the gang, also known as the Labor Day Journey, takes place on May 1st. Here in Brazil, in São Paulo, they meet every second Sunday of the month for meetings in the Santana neighborhood.
Influence kilometers
HAMC has left its mark not only on the highways but also in music, film and courtrooms.
In cinema, The Savage (1953) with Marlon Brando, was the first to spread outlaw culture. Then came Os Anjos Selvagens (1966) and Easy Rider (1969), which immortalized the song “Born to be Wild”. Despite their reputation as troublemakers, the Angels are careful with their image and coat of arms. It is no wonder that giant brands, such as Disney and Marvel, are being sued for making improper use of the emblem, name and colors of the group.
Rules for what?
By grammar, the correct spelling should be “Hell’s”. But the group says the issuance of the apostrophe is intentional, as there are many hells. Even in this they show indifference to norms
SOURCES Websites AFFA Hells Angels Official Website, How Stuff Worksnewspaper The New York Timesbook Hell’s Angelsby Hunter Thompson, and magazines Team It is Rolling Stones.
Consultancy Marcos*, member of HAMC São Paulo *Fictitious name