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The original Hell's Angels -

Before the infamous biker gang adopted the title and omitted the apostrophe, the Hell's Angels were an infamous squadron of the First American Volunteer Group of the U.S. Air Force. An associate of the founding members of the motorcycle club, Arvid Olsen, had served with the Hell's Angels in the Pacific Theater during World War II and suggested the name for his friends' new club.

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The gang's formation -

Motorcycle clubs exploded in popularity in the years following World War II, when veterans and surplus Harley Davidson bikes flooded back into the country in droves. The world's most famous biker club, the Hells Angels, was formed on March 17, 1948 in Fontana, California. The founding group consisted of former members of numerous smaller clubs, who decided to unite under a common name and flag.

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Sonny and Otto -

The two most famous members of the early Hells Angels were without question Otto Friedli and Sonny Barger (pictured). Friedli was a veteran of World War II and formed the Hells Angels after cutting ties with his old club.

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Sonny Barger -

Despite being the father of the Hells Angels, Friedli's fame was eclipsed by that of Sonny Barger. Barger founded the hugely popular Oakland, California chapter of the Hells Angels just months after the club's original establishment. Barger quickly became the face and popular leader of the Hells Angels, who was widely painted as a dangerous criminal in the media. It was Barger who, in 1966, officially incorporated the Hells Angels.

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The infamous death's head -

Hells Angels are identifiable across the globe by their universal symbol, the death's head. The original design of the logo is credited to Frank Sadilek, the former president of the gang's San Francisco chapter. The gang's title patch is always presented with red lettering over a white background, earning the Hells Angels one of their many nicknames, the Red and White.

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Prerequisites for membership -

As one can imagine, being accepted into the ranks of the worlds most infamous biker gang is no easy feat. Apart from being an avid motorcycle enthusiast, prospective members must also conform to the group's general personality and mindset. Notably, women aren't allowed to join the Hells Angels in any chapter in the world. A far more reasonable rule bans anyone convicted of sexual assault against a minor from ever being associated with the club.

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No cops allowed -

More understandable than their ban of women is their strict "no cops" policy. This doesn't simply disqualify officers in active duty, but also includes anyone who has done so much as submit an application to any law enforcement agency anywhere.

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Hang-around -

There are a number of ranks through which Hells Angels hopefuls must rise over the course of a few years. Members of the first rank are known as hang-arounds, accurately suggesting that they aren't considered a part of the club at all, but are simply allowed to share space with fully fledged Angels. Apparently, being a hang-around also consists of a lot of hazing rituals, like running errands and submitting to routine beatings from the club members.

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Associate -

After proving their commitment as a hang-around, wannabe Angels can graduate to the rank of associate if a full member agrees to sponsor them. Thankfully, the beatings cease for associates, but they are still barred from official meetings and are allegedly tasked with various illegal missions ranging from the risky to the violent.

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Prospect -

Prospects are in their final stages of apprenticeship, but can remain prospects for up to five years. Upon becoming prospects, bikers are finally awarded their chapter patch and may begin to earn the full trust of the Angels. Still, their obligations are menial, and include overnight watch shifts and tirelessly cleaning the bikes of full members.

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Fully patched -

In order to become a "fully patched" Hells Angel, the rest of the chapter must come to a unanimous vote in favor of the inductee. If voted in, the newly-anointed Angel is given their full back patch, including the cherished death's head. Rumor has it that fully patched Angels are required to tattoo their initiation date within nine days of their graduation.

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The tenets of the Angels -

Fully patched members of the Hells Angels look out for their fellow Angels first and foremost, before anyone or anything else. This trust is fortified by a strict set of rules that guarantees no information, or no person, gets in or out of the inner circle without consensus.

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One pulled over for all, and all pulled over for one -

One of the most famous traditions of the Hells Angels involves what to do when a member gets pulled over by the authorities. Likely an intimidation measure, every member of the Hells Angels riding in the same group will pull to the side of the road if just one other member is flagged down by the police. They will keep watch over their own, calmly eyeing any unwitting officers down until they are inevitably set free to go without incident.

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Code of silence -

The inner workings of the Hells Angels are a closely kept secret. While we do know some things about how they organize themselves, the vast majority of the gang's affairs are kept under wraps, and all Angels adhere to a strict code of silence.

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"One Percenter" clubs -

The Hells Angels are a part of the exclusive upper echelon of motorcycle clubs, known as "One Percenter" clubs. This prestigious designation is said to have originated from a quote made by the American Motorcycle Association in the late 1940s, in defense of innocent motorcycle clubs. The Association's statement claimed that, while there were some "outlaw" motorcycle clubs, 99% of them consisted of law abiding citizens. This, of course, prompted America's many biker gangs involved in illicit activities to proudly refer to themselves as the "one percenters" that ruined the reputation of the other, assumedly fictional, 99%.

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The Hells Angels' criminal exploits -

The lion's share of the Hells Angels' business activity is kept tightly under wraps, with only rumors and hearsay escaping their tight circle. Claims have been made connecting the Angels to everything from racketeering to drug production and human trafficking, and while the gang no doubt partakes in criminal activities on a regular basis, it's hard to say for certain just how far they really go.

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Mafias on motorcycles? -

Apart from the more overt criminal enterprises of drugs, guns, and violence, the Hells Angels are also said to have taken a page out of the Mafia's book, "offering" protection to local business and even partaking in insurance fraud and money laundering.

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The Hells Angels go global -

It only took a few years for the Hells Angels to become an international operation. The first overseas chapter of the Angels appeared in Auckland, New Zealand, in 1961. Today, the gang claims officially affiliated chapters in no less than 59 countries around the world.

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Membership in the States and beyond -

Across its 467 official chapters worldwide, there is an estimated Hells Angels contingent of upwards of 3,600 members. Of those, 800 members are based in the United States, spread across 92 chapters.

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Hunter S. Thompson and the Angels -

Public awareness of the Hells Angels skyrocketed after the legendary godfather of "gonzo journalism," Hunter S. Thompson, spent a year with the gang while conducting research for his first widely successful book, 1967's 'Hell's Angels: The Strange and Terrible Saga of the Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs.'

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Hunter S. Thompson and the Angels -

Thompson was granted a rare and invaluable glimpse into the life of the Angels, and grew quite close with a number of its members, especially Sonny Barger. After a year of fraternizing with the gang, Thompson's association abruptly came to an end after he insulted an Angel and was consequently "stomped," or beaten to a pulp.

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The Rolling Stones in California -

Perhaps the most infamous story from the annals of the Hells Angels is the tale of the ill-fated Rolling Stones concert in 1969. Let it be known that a biker gang should never be hired as festival security.

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Altamont Free Concert -

The Altamont Free Concert at the Altamont Speedway in California was meant to be a "Woodstock of the West," featuring some of the most popular acts from the turn of the decade, from the Rolling Stones to the Grateful Dead to Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young. Unfortunately, as many festivalgoers would later recall, the peace and love that defined Woodstock were nowhere to be seen at Altamont.

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Violence in the crowds -

The story goes that it was the Grateful Dead's idea to hire the Angels as security, even if that wasn't exactly their job title. Originally, the Angels were only asked to stand guard near the low-standing stage, in exchange for unlimited free beer. It quickly became clear that the job wouldn't be so simple, as the crowd grew more rowdy and violent as the festival went on, including fights, assaults, and rampant drug use.

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Meredith Hunter -

By the time the Rolling Stones took the stage, the festival was already a catastrophe. The Hells Angels had taken up sharpened pool cues and bike chains against the crowds in order to keep them away from the stage, and the Grateful Dead had fled the scene, refusing to play. One particular 18-year-old man named Meredith Hunter, high on the dangerous hallucinogen PCP, had tried to rush the stage multiple times, and was beat back by the Angels.

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Tragedy strikes -

On his final rush, Hunter brandished a long-barrel revolver and seemed to intend to shoot one of the musicians on stage. Hells Angel Alan Passaro intervened and stabbed Hunter twice in his side, killing him.

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Other casualties of Altamont -

The death of Meredith Hunter wasn't the only casualty of Altamont. Two other concertgoers were killed after being hit by a car, and one attendee, under the influence of LSD, drowned in a nearby canal.

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Are the Hells Angels misunderstood? -

Violence and controversy have haunted the Hells Angels since their inception, but their official position has always insisted that they are not an explicitly criminal organization. They claim that they are simply a club of motorcycle enthusiasts, and any crimes committed by their members were committed independently, stating that the club itself can't be held responsible for the actions of some of its members.

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Angels of charity -

The Hells Angels and their supporters frequently cite their regular acts of charity. It is true that the Angels are known to take part in community service, organizing toy drives for children and raising funds for destitute veterans. Whatever the true nature of the world's most notorious biker gang is, they remain the inspiration of intrigue across the globe.

Sources: (Grunge) (History) (Britannica)

See also: History's most feared street gangs

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