This Day in Harley-Davidson History – July 21, 1947 – LIFE magazine sparks the myth that motorcycle clubs were gangs of violent rebels with its article, ‘Cyclist’s Holiday’ and a staged photograph. On July 21, 1947, LIFE magazine ran an article describing a recent motorcycle rally in Hollister, California as a riot that terrorized the small town. The photograph that accompanied the story showed a drunken man sitting on a motorcycle surrounded by empty beer bottles. The photo was later revealed to have been staged and the motorcycle rally in Hollister was actually a peaceful event. It was too late, though, and the image of drunken, out-of-control motorcycle gangs became seared into the public’s imagination. The image of a motorcycle rider as a lawless, violent rebel would be reinforced throughout the fifties and sixties, showing up in films like “The Wild One,” “Dragstrip Riot,” and “The Wild Angels.” Such imagery was more closely related to societal fears surrounding rebellious youths of the era than to average motorcycle riders.
Posted on: Sun, 21 Jul 2013 18:37:49 +0000