The name Hells Angels is commonly believed to have been suggested by Arvid Olson, an associate of the founders but not a member himself. Olson served in the Flying Tigers “Hell’s Angels” fighter squadron in China during World War II.
The nickname “Hell’s Angels” came about similarly to other nicknames which American soldiers used in World War I and II. They tried to think of the toughest and most intimidating names and used them for their squadrons.
Humble Beginnings
Most of the versions agree that the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club was officially formed on March 17, 1948 in Fontana, California. The club’s founders were the Bishop family and a few other World War II veterans that banded together from different post-war bike clubs like the Pissed Off Bastards of Bloomington.
Despite speculation to the contrary regarding a criminal element, the Hells Angels maintain that they started the club because military surplus had suddenly made motorcycles reasonably inexpensive and because many young men after the war were feeling copped up and missing the company of their fellow soldiers
More Charters Spring Up in California
When the club was just starting out, charters began to spring up in other areas of California at a fairly rapid pace. Ralph “Sonny” Barger, who founded to Oakland charter, said the first charters in California were located in San Francisco, Oakland, Fontana, Gardena and some other less known places.
During this period, each charter was self-sustaining and independent and didn’t even know that any other similar groups existed. It was only in the 1950’s that the different groups started coming together and united to create one big operation with its own core values, internal codes and standards for admission.
The Hells Angels and Counterculture
In the 1960s, the Hells Angels were heavily involved with the counterculture movement, particularly in California. They fit right in with the need to challenge authority, embrace individualism and promote social change. They were widely known in the famous Haight-Ashbury district of San Francisco and often attended local concerts and social gatherings.
Various club members were also connected to the primary leadership of the counterculture movement. They often met with musicians and thinkers such as Ken Kesey and the Merry Pranksters, Allen Ginsberg, Jerry Garcia and the Grateful Dead, the Beatles, the Rolling Stones and others.
A Few Rotten Apples
The Hells Angels and some other motorcycle clubs do not wish to be known for their bad rep. They call themselves a one percenter biker club. That title, which is more than 50 years old, is based on the old expression that 1% of troublemakers give a bad name to 99% of bikers. They hope that this description will help the public separate them from the many negative stereotypes associated with biker gangs in general and the Hells Angels in particular.
Public relations aside, it is true that more than a few members have been convicted of various crimes, from dealing drugs to murder.