Rock 'n' Murder

In 1969, a free rock concert was held at Altamont Speedway, California. Hells Angels, one of the most notorious biker gangs in the world, was managing the security of the event, for which they were paid $500 worth of beer. As both the crowd and Hells Angels members were high on drugs and alcohol, altercations ensued, resulting in a Hells Angels member fatally stabbing a 18-year-old guy, who had reportedly drawn a gun.

Biker Clubs: The Origin After the end of World War II, a lot of war veterans returned home and tried to settle into their new civilian lives. As they had been at war for such a long time, the chores of daily life seemed monotonous to them. They wanted to experience the thrill and excitement, which had become a part of their lives during the period of war. They were in search of the same level of camaraderie and togetherness, which war soldiers have for each other. The way they looked at it, civilian life was staid and unexciting. While looking for a substitute to fill their lives, motorcycling emerged as one of the brightest options, and soon, numerous war vets were on the streets with their cruiser bikes and choppers. This led to the creation of numerous biking clubs, with members donning similar outfits to show loyalty to their respective clubs. These clubs were known for their nomadic and rebellious lifestyle, but there was rarely any news of their engagement in any form of illegal activity. However, the benign nature of motorcycling took a beating in the Hollister riot of 1947. Hollister Riot Hollister, an agricultural town in California, hosted an annual bike rally, sanctioned by the AMA. The rally had become a spectacle and a source of revenue for many locals. Due to the increase in the number of motorcycle clubs after the World War II, Hollister witnessed the arrival of a large number of motorcyclists, which it could not accommodate. The sheer number of motorcyclists made it seem as if the whole town of Hollister was 'overtaken'. After the bikers got high on alcohol, they stormed right into the city, doing wheelies, riding through restaurants, and littering the streets with broken beer bottles. The police arrested several of these drunk bikers for misdemeanor, but even the police noted that these men had done more harm to themselves than they did to the town. However, the story was blown out of proportion by the media, notably by Life magazine, which carried out a photograph of a wasted man sitting on a Harley Davidson motorcycle, while holding a beer in each hand. Below the motorcycle lay innumerable empty beer bottles. This photograph and the overall media reports created a perception among the people of America that motorcyclists were troublemakers and sociopaths. The Wild One (1953) starring Marlon Brando, which was based on the Hollister riot, further polarized the public opinion against the bikers. The negative publicity surrounding the motorcyclists and the misconception about them, appealed to criminal-minded individuals. They had been living their lives on the sidelines, but now they saw an opportunity of hogging the public limelight by becoming a biker. The 1%er Tag Heckled by the media over the issue of motorcyclists engaging in hooliganism and criminal activities, AMA allegedly said that 99% of the bikers were law-abiding citizens, and it was the remaining 1%, which was bringing a bad name to motorcycling. The outlaws accepted the "1%" tag, and used it proudly with their club patches to associate themselves with everything that the society considered devious. These 1%er clubs spread to numerous states in America and around the world. Today, law enforcement agencies in every country consider these outlaw gangs to be actively involved in numerous illegal activities.

The Most Infamous Motorcycle Clubs

The Hells Angels is arguably the most well-known motorcycle club in the world. According to the official website of Hells Angels, the club was formed on March 17, 1948 in Fontana/San Bernardino area of California, US. During its inception, it was made up of war veterans who were earlier associated with the club, Pissed Off Bastards of Bloomington (one of the clubs present at the Hollister riot). Although a lot of people believe that Oakland chapter of the Hells Angels is the club's mother chapter, the official website denies the claim and states that after forming the club in Fontana, a lot of club members moved to Oakland. According to estimates, currently, the club has more than 100 chapters worldwide, with an estimated 2000 to 3000 members. The club has been accused of numerous serious crimes, such as drug trafficking, extortion, and prostitution.

Bandidos MC was founded by Donald Eugene Chambers in San Leon, Texas. Chambers was a marine vet who had served in Vietnam. Although members of the club affirm that their club exists to promote motorcycling, many observers believe that Bandidos was created because Chambers wanted to have a hold over the drug trafficking and prostitution business in Texas. The club's tryst with infamy started pretty early when Chambers was convicted for a murder in El Paso. Currently, the club has chapters in 12 countries outside the US, and its membership is estimated to be anywhere between 2000 and 2500. Law enforcement agencies have found Bandidos to be involved in numerous criminal activities. It is believed that Bandidos MC has an association with Outlaws Motorcycle Club, and they help each other out in their criminal activities.

The Mongols MC was formed in Montebello, California in 1969. Most of the members of the gang are of Hispanic origin. It is widely believed that Hells Angels' "only whites can join" policy was the reason behind the formation of the Mongols MC; however, some observers are of the view that these stories are apocryphal, and that Mongols has had white members in the past. The club is also known by the aliases -- Mongol Nation and Mongol Brotherhood. Mongols have been involved in various crimes ranging from drug trafficking, extortion, attempted murder, etc.

Outlaws motorcycle club claims to be the oldest motorcycle club in the world. The club was founded in McCook, Illinois. It was initially known as McCook Outlaws Motorcycle Club. The Outlaws have been engaged in a turf war with Hells Angels. It is believed that the feud between Outlaws and Hells Angels dates back to 1946, when Outlaws' request for a Hells Angels charter was turned down by the latter. Like other 1%er motorcycle gangs, the club is involved in drug trafficking, extortion, money laundering, and prostitution.

Vagos MC is one of the most notorious outlaw motorcycle clubs of America. It was formed in San Bernardino, California in the year 1965. The club was initially known as "Psychos", but conflict among the Hispanic members of the club resulted in the creation of Vagos. The club has been on the radar of ATF, because of its alleged involvement in several illegal activities.

Pagan's MC (or The Pagans) was formed by Lou Dobkins in the year 1959. After originating in Prince George's County, Maryland, the club soon expanded to various states of the US. They are allegedly involved in numerous criminal activities, and the law enforcement agencies view it as a violent organization. They are known for their intense rivalry with the Hells Angels MC.

Warlocks MC was formed by Tom Freeland in Florida in the year 1967. Grub, as he is called by his fellow club mates, is an ex-naval serviceman and has served on the USS Shangri-La aircraft carrier. The club was formed in the spirit of motorcycling and adventure, but over a period of time, it engaged in criminal activities, like other 1%er biker gangs. A motorcycle club found in 1967 in Pennsylvania, also goes by the name 'Warlocks', and both these gangs are known to be allies.

Sons of Silence are a 1%er motorcycle club, active in US since its formation in Colorado, in 1966. The gang is predominantly present in the eastern part of the US, although they have several international chapters. It is widely believed that Sons of Silence are allied with the Hells Angels, because of which, they are often engaged in turf wars with other outlaw motorcycle clubs.

Although most of the outlaw motorcycle gangs around the world originated in America and then spread out, The Finks are one of the 'indigenous' outlaw motorcycle clubs. The club was formed in Adelaide, Australia in 1969. The Finks expanded to Perth, when Troy Mercanti was expelled from Coffin Cheaters -- another Perth-based motorcycle gang. The activities of the club were restricted by the government in South Australia. The Finks are accused of threatening businessmen and demanding extortion from them. This policy of extortion is known as Finks' fines.

Highwaymen motorcycle club was formed in Detroit in 1954. The club is active in Alabama, Tennessee, Indiana, and Kentucky. The club has been the subject of numerous investigations by the law enforcement agencies, including the FBI. Highwaymen MC was once a member of the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA), but in the early 1960s, it strayed away from the mainstream to become a 1%er biker gang.