THE ORIGIN OF THE HELL'S ANGELS MOTORCYCLE CLUB (HAMC)

The Hells Angels are often described as the most popular motorcycle gang in the world, but they have a dark past. Much of the information about them remains uncertain. We will attempt to provide a brief overview.

THE ORIGIN OF THE NAME "HELL'S ANGELS".

The first MC, the "Hell's Angels of California," was founded between 1940 and 1950 by Americans from World War II.

They later joined forces with other members of motorcycle clubs like the "Pissed Off Bastards" in Bloomington, which had been founded by battle-scarred soldiers. It appears that the origin of this club's name was first suggested by one of the founding members, Arvid Olsen.

Olsen was a former pilot who had served in China during World War II in a squadron of the "Flying Tigers," also known as the "Hell's Angels." During both World Wars, it was common practice for Americans to give their squadrons names that defied death.

This is how the name of the club "Hell's Angels" (Angels of Hell) was first created.

DISSENT OPINIONS

The story of the beginnings of the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club (HAMC) is not clear, and the accounts also differ.

According to Ralph "Sonny" Barger, one of the most well-known Hells Angels and founder of the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club in Oakland, the first chapters of the club were established in San Francisco, Gardena, Fontana, Oakland, and other locations. Other sources claim that the San Francisco Hells Angels were founded in 1953 by Rocky Graves, a member of the San Bernardino Hells Angels.

THE ORIGIN OF THE HELL'S ANGELS LOGO

Their logo is the "Death's Head".

It was inspired by the insignia of an American bomber squadron from World War II. This insignia was first used in 1959 by the Oakland Chapter under the leadership of Sonny Barger.

It later became the club’s official logo.

THE BADGES (PATCHES) OF THE HA

The Hells Angels use a system of badges similar to that of military orders.

The club's main colors are red and white. Hence their label, "The Red as well as White." Although the meaning of the individual patches is not widely known, we do know that they represent the activities or beliefs of each motorcyclist. Their patches are rectangular in shape with red letters on a white background.

Most members wear two patches. The first shows the location of the chapter to which the motorcyclist belongs, and the second bears the inscription "Hells Angels."

Hells Angels patch (rectangular)

Members with a "title" wear a patch indicating their rank within the organization. This includes the title of president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, and sergeant-at-arms. Some members also wear a patch with the initials "AFFA," which means "Angels Forever; Forever Angels." They also use a diamond symbol depicting "1%" in red lettering on a white background with a red border.

These badges are usually worn on leather jackets or vests.

LESS-KNOWN BADGES

In the book "Gangs" by Tony Thompson (investigative journalist for The Observer), it is stated that Stephen Cunningham, a member of the Angels, wore a new badge after his assassination attempt, consisting of two Nazi-style SS lightning bolts under the words "Filthy Few".

Some law enforcement officials claim that the patch is only awarded to those who have committed or are willing to commit murder in the name of the organization. According to one report, there is another patch, the "Dequiallo" patch, which is supposed to signify that the wearer fought with law enforcement officers during their arrest.

EVENTS THAT MADE THE HELLS FAMOUS

One of the most significant events occurred during the free Altamont concert at Altamont Speedway in December 1969. At this event, it was reported that the Rolling Stones used Hell's Angels as bodyguards.

This led to riots in the crowd and one person was stabbed by a Hells Angel after he pulled out a firearm.

Another media-reported incident occurred in Laughlin, Nevada, at Harrah's Casino and Hotel. A violent altercation at the casino with their rivals, the MC Mongols, resulted in the death of one of them and two Hell's Angels motorcyclists.

THE POPULARITY OF HA

Patch "Hells Angels"

The Hells Angels club became known in connection with the protests in the 1960s, where it played a leading role in most of the mobilizations.

The MC's members were directly connected to several famous leaders of this movement, such as the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, and many others...

Furthermore, their numerous legal battles and war against rival motorcycle gangs contributed significantly to bringing them into the spotlight. Today, the Hells are also known by the following names: "HA," "Red & White," "HAMC," and "81."

MEMBERSHIP IN THE HELL'S ANGELS (RECRUITMENT)

To become a member of the Hells Angels, applicants must have a valid driver's license and a motorcycle with more than 750 cc.

It is reported that the club rejects child molesters, as well as people who have applied for positions as police officers or prison guards.

After a lengthy selection process, a potential member is initially classified as an "amateur." If the individual is truly motivated, they become an "associate," a status that typically lasts one or two years. After this phase, the individual is considered a "prospective," participating in certain club activities but without voting rights. During this time, the club analyzes their suitability for full membership.

Only after this prospect status can the future newcomer wear the club colors and become a "full patch."

The term "full patch" refers to the complete four-part badge, consisting of:

• The "skull" logo.
• The two patches, also called "colors," consist of an upper patch that reads "Hells Angels" and a lower patch that indicates the claimed state or territory.
• The rectangular "MC" patch under the skull wing.

Prospect Hells Angels may only wear the lower patch with the state or territory name and the rectangular "MC" badge.

Hells Angels Prospect Badge

Before voting, the prospect typically visits every chapter in the state, province, or territory where the sponsored chapter is located and introduces himself to each member. This process allows each rider to familiarize themselves with the prospective member and ask any relevant questions before proceeding to the vote.

A ceremony follows in which the candidate reaffirms his loyalty to the club and its members. The final patch (the upper patch, "Hells Angels") and the skull logo are then presented to him.

This makes the individual a full member of the club and is referred to as "patched." However, the patches remain the property of the HAMC. If a member leaves the Hells Angels or is expelled, they must return the patches to the club.

CRIMINAL INVOLVEMENTS OF THE MOTORCYCLE CLUB

Many police and intelligence agencies around the world classify the Hells Angels as one of the "four major" outlaw motorcycle gangs, along with the Pagans, Outlaws, and Bandidos.

The Hells Angels are involved in numerous legal proceedings, including the transportation and distribution of drugs. They are also linked to other criminal activities, such as assault, extortion, murder, money laundering, and robbery.

For their part, the HAMC members claim they are simply a group of motorcycle enthusiasts. Their goal is to ride motorcycles together, organize social activities, travel, raise funds, celebrate festivals, and gather other motorcyclists. They believe that the perpetrators, not the club, are responsible for any crime.

Territorial ban for the Hells Angels

In May 2019, the Utrecht court issued a ruling that made the Netherlands the very first country to completely ban the Hells Angels. Several other countries, such as Germany, had banned local chapters but never the entire club in the past.

THE HELLS AND THE MOTORCYCLIST WAR

Biker War Québec (Hells Angels)

In the 1980s and 1990s, the club undertook significant expansion in Canada. The Quebec Motorcycle War was a violent territorial war that began in 1994 and continued in Montreal until the end of 2002.

The war began when the Hells Angels of Québec began exerting pressure to establish their monopoly on the sale of drugs. A number of previously established motorcycle riders, drug traffickers, and crime families resisted, forming groups such as the "Alliance to Combat the Angels."

The war led to attacks on numerous facilities and a large number of murders. It reportedly claimed the lives of more than 150 people and resulted in the imprisonment of 100 motorcyclists.

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY (COPYRIGHT)

In the USA and Canada, the Hells Angels are registered as Hells Motorcycle Corporation.

In March 2007, the Hells Angels filed a lawsuit against the Walt Disney Motion Pictures Group. They alleged that the film "Wild Hogs" had used both the name and logo of the Hells Angels Motorcycle Corporation without their consent. The lawsuit was eventually dropped after Disney assured the Hells Angels that these references would not appear in the film.

Yoyo Hells Angels

In 2012, the Hells Angels sued Toys "R" Us in a California court for trademark infringement in the sale of yo-yos. In their lawsuit, the Hells Angels claimed that the trademark used on the yo-yos was likely to confuse the public into believing the toys were made by the Hells Angels.

HAMC'S RACIAL POLICY

Ralph "Sonny" Barger (Hells Angels)The HAMC claims not to be a racially segregated organization.

In an interview with the BBC in 2000, Ralph Barger said: "The club as a whole is not racist, but we probably have a sufficiently large number of racist members that no one joins the club."

In another interview with leader Sonny Barger (2000), he said: "If you're a biker and you're white, you want to join the Hell's Angels. If you're black, you want to join the Dragons. That's the way it is... We don't have any blacks, and they don't have any whites." When asked if this could change, Barger replied, "Anything can change; I can't predict the future."

Tobie Levingston, who founded the black motorcycle club "East Bay Dragons MC," writes in his book that he and Sonny Barger have a lasting friendship and that the Hells Angels and the MC Dragons meet up to ride motorcycles together.

A high-ranking Hells Angel member, who was also interviewed, emphasized that there was no racial prejudice in any of their clubs. He said, "We have no Black members," adding that no Black members had applied for membership.

THE HAMC WORLD CHAPTERS

The HAMC recognizes 440 chapters in 52 countries. Europe only became a stronghold of the Hells Angels in 1969, with the founding of two chapters in London. The "London Angels" provided security at numerous British festivals.

In 1981, there were eight chapters in France: Paris, Orléans, Côte d'Azur, Colmar, Brittany, Normandy, the Alps, and a nomadic section. A list of recognized chapters can be found on the official HAMC website.