The motorcycle world lost a true legend overnight when one of the founders of the Hells Angels MC, Ralph “Sonny” Barger lost his fight with the Big C. He fought a lot of battles in a hard ‘n’ fast life, including with throat cancer, but finally succumbed surrounded by family at the age of 83.
Sonny packed a lot of living into those 83 years, including doing so much to establish the ‘outlaw’ motorcycle lifestyle and culture.
While he attracted a lot of bad press and enemies over the years, including a few arms of the US government, he also was an icon amongst many in the outlaw and associated cultures, including in Australia and New Zealand, which was coincidentally the first country outside of the US to be granted an official Hells Angels charter way back in 1961. The club still remains active and strong in NZ and Australia, as well as many other countries throughout the world.
“I remember reading Hunter Thompson’s immortal Hells Angels – A Strange and Terrible Saga – when I was still in high school back in NZ and actually had a bit to do with the Club in my early motorcycling days,” said Chris Beattie, who also edited the Club’s Australian annual ThunderGround.
“I never met Sonny, despite our paths crossing on a few occasions, but I have met some Oakland Chapter members. My condolences and respect to his family and all HA members, wherever they are. Sonny will never be forgotten and will no doubt be flying the colours loud and proud wherever he is raising hell now.”
