Ralph 'Sonny' Barger
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Sonny Barger (born October 8, 1938 in Modesto, California) is a founding member in 1957 of the Oakland, California, USA chapter of Hells Angels (perhaps the most famous motorcycle club in the world), and perhaps the club's best-known member. He is known as the "Godfather of the Hells Angels."
Barger was one of the Hells Angel at the The Rolling Stones' Altamont Free Concert in 1969. He is also famed for his appearance in Hunter S. Thompson's widely-read account of life within the club, Hells Angels: The Strange and Terrible Saga of the Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs.
Sonny Barger is also the author of four books: Hells Angel, Freedom: Credos from the Road, Dead in 5 Heartbeats and 6 Chambers, 1 Bullet. He was editor for the book Ridin' High, Livin' Free. He appeared as an extra in the film Hells Angels on Wheels.
As of 2007, Barger is still an active member of the Hells Angels in the Cave Creek Chapter, having moved there from Oakland in 1998. He is reported to have owned a mere 10 to 12 motorcycles throughout his life, and currently rides a Harley Davidson.
[edit] Further reading
- Ralph "Sonny" Barger, Hell's Angel: The Life and Times of Sonny Barger and the Hell's Angels Motorcycle Club. Morrow, William & Co., May 2000 (ISBN 0-688-17693-3); reissued in paperback, HarperCollins Publishers, October 2001 (ISBN 0-06-093754-8)
