Worth a look...BBC4 Mods and Rockers

[havocpaul]

Looks like it will be a good watch with hopefully some neat jackets and parkas on show.....
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b044yw1d

 

[Sloan1874]

Ace!

 

[robrinay]

Read your post on my iPad found it on my sky+ app and set it to record - isn't technology great - when I was a kid in the 60's when the stuff on the documntary happened this kit was scifi. On the other hand there were fantastic jackets and jeans etc. - the kind we currently lust after - wish I'd stashed a few items in my mums attic then.

 

[Worf]

Nice to see, quite interesting. There were no "mods" or "rockers" here... problems mostly fell along different lines... more basic differences.

Worf

 

[rocketeer]

Thanks for the heads up on this I will record it as well.
Looking at the clip in 'The Seaside skirmish' , at 00:35 the Happidrome is on Southend seafront at the Kursall end.

 

[GHT]

The Kursaal, spent many a happy hour there back in the sixties. Perhaps it's because I prefer classics from a previous time or maybe it's because I lived it, the sixties that is. Mods & Rockers, running fights on popular seaside beaches and all that delinquent stuff that's part of growing up. I had the Vespa scooter, the parka, the Carnaby Street fashions, none of it appeals anymore.

But that's not a criticism, if you like that era, enjoy. They were exciting times. Those of you who are interested in that period may not have heard of a very popular fashion icon that every self respecting Mod had to have: Old England Watches. Again, enjoy.

 

[rocketeer]

I was part of the Rocker revival of the 1980s, really a hangover from the greasers of the previous decade. The main differences being that British motorcycles were almost dead and buried, you had to wear crash hats, 'caffffes' were mainly frequented by truck drivers and no front number plates were fitted to bikes anymore. The Japanese bikes of the period looked roughly like the old British bikes but were a little faster usually but not necessarily handle better(KH 500 anyone?)
There was not much trouble with the Mod revival, no bank holiday clashes though it did happen on the road sometime. A mate was riding home from Southend to Laindon and came across a bunch of about 20 as they approached a roundabout, when the scooterists started to give some verbal diarrhoea, my mate kicked the guy nearest who fell off and took most of the others down with him. My friend then sped off down the major road as he had a faster bike than they but was caught up by the police who had been a little behind the scooters. When challenged that he had caused there crash he just said, "Are you mad, do you think I would pick on a gang like that, just me and my bird(girlfriend), so I just opend up to get away"...... And they let him off.
Now if on an old bike and we saw a scooter with its panels off, most of us would probably stop with them, see if we could help with simple tools and laugh about crashes, fights and rivalries, even if dressed like a 60 year old 'Johnny Stabbler'(Wild one) and they like a sixty year old 'Jimmy'(Quadrophenia)

Here's my old bike, 1961 Matchless, with posing props and two friends before I passed my test.

Cheers, J

 

[Stearmen]

As stated, we did not have any of the rivalry here in the States. On the other hand, I have attended several Mods & Rockers reunions in Denver, very popular, no fights, just some good natured ribbing about which is the best form of transportation. One of the riders let me take his Lambretta for a spin, I liked it a lot. I thought it would be fun to get a Vespa, then have a T-shirt made up stating, I would rather ride my Vespa, then push my Harley!

 

[Horace Debussy Jones]

My older brother had a band when he was in high school called "The Rockers" and they would engage in Battles of the Bands with their chief rivals, a band known of course as "The Mods". I think The Rockers were almost always victorious, far as I remember. Most of the high school kids back then were rather moddish in style too I think, with the possible exception of a few "Greasers" who were a sort of throwback to the 50s maybe.
I think if I was around then I would have been a Rocker rather than a Mod.

 

[rocketeer]

The Kursaal, spent many a happy hour there back in the sixties. Perhaps it's because I prefer classics from a previous time or maybe it's because I lived it, the sixties that is. Mods & Rockers, running fights on popular seaside beaches and all that delinquent stuff that's part of growing up. I had the Vespa scooter, the parka, the Carnaby Street fashions, none of it appeals anymore.

But that's not a criticism, if you like that era, enjoy. They were exciting times. Those of you who are interested in that period may not have heard of a very popular fashion icon that every self respecting Mod had to have: Old England Watches. Again, enjoy.

I thought everyone wore wrist watches in those days, mods or rockers. Some old time Teds wore pocket watches though in the 1970s(to young 1st time around) I had my keys on my watch chain. Now I have an Omega Seamaster DeVille, a wind up rather than an auto, though I only wear it on special occasions.

 

[GHT]

I thought everyone wore wrist watches in those days, mods or rockers. Some old time Teds wore pocket watches though in the 1970s(to young 1st time around) I had my keys on my watch chain. Now I have an Omega Seamaster DeVille, a wind up rather than an auto, though I only wear it on special occasions.

You had to have the most oversize wrist watch imaginable, Old England cashed in on this, my watch was so big it only displayed the 3, 6, 9 & 12 numerals. Nowadays, like you, I have a jewelled movement watch, not an Omega (fabulous watches) but a Stauer, a perfect replica of a 1930's wind up wrist watch.



And whilst I'm in the Confess mood, long since my Mod days I have owned two modern Harleys one Triumph and a vintage Harley that I'm reluctant to show. The photo of me posing on it, is not exactly flattering, but if you want to see it..............................

 

[havocpaul]

I always thought that when I used to attend various reunions in the '80's and '90's with WW2 RAF and Luftwaffe aircrew, and with my dear friend Karl who had served on U-802 and who used to be invited to Royal Navy and Merchant Navy gatherings, and everyone reminisced and laughed together, that those youth gangs and cultures paled into insignificance compared to those guys and I have seen many elderly rockers and mods meeting up over a drink and a laugh and that's all good. As someone who was too young for those factions but was an original punk back in 1976/77 I witnessed and was sometimes a target for the teds v punks, skins v punks and in the end everybody v punks! So much was hyped up and fuelled by the press so that anyone looking for a ruck ended up joining in, especially when the 1970's had all the mindless football violence too. I remember also that a few of my friends were extras in the Quadrophenia film and some of those fight scenes got a bit too real as there were real bikers and 'new' mods involved! Looking forward to watching it tonight, should I wear my vintage biker jacket or my original M-51 parka??!!

 

[bn1966]

Enjoyable hour, makes me want to get out on me Vespa.

 

[rocketeer]

I remember also that a few of my friends were extras in the Quadrophenia film and some of those fight scenes got a bit too real as there were real bikers and 'new' mods involved! Looking forward to watching it tonight, should I wear my vintage biker jacket or my original M-51 parka??!!

Paul, I remember the TV crews scouting the RnR clubs for British 'Rocker' type bikers for extras, mine was in bits so no show for me

As for wearing your bike gear to watch this show, me and a few mates dressed in full 'Power Ranger' leathers , including helmets and boots to watch the Isle of Man TT on the TV a few years back, but we had to remove our skid lids to have a beer.
John

Not seen the Timeshift yet, going to watch it on catch up TV in the morning.

 

[Sloan1874]

Was rather entertaining. A lot of Perfectos on show.

 

[havocpaul]

A good programme, well produced. Nice to see Lewis Leathers given airtime, makes me want to head to their shop and see some of their "historic" jackets on display. Didn't spot the Perfectos if you mean the jackets, don't think any Beitish rockers would have worn them or indeed be able to buy them over here at that time. They were worn by some punks copying The Ramones etc but we still preferred to get a Lewis Leathers jacket. Also saw some Irvin type shearling jackets, most likely from Pride and Clarke or similar but maybe there were some original Irvins and even b3's being worn.

 

[Sloan1874]

Inexperienced eyes on my part, I was talking more about the style than anything. I noticed the Irvin-types too. Wouldn't want to be wearing one of those if I came off a bike!

 

[zhz]

The price of Lewis Leather increased very fast, I bought a 391 early last year for 650 pounds, and the price is 742 for UK customer now...
However, the leather is very good, I think they import leather from Japan now.

 

[Stearmen]

Is there an alternative sight to view this film on? Says, for UK only.

 

[ManofKent]

Looking forward to watching it. I was in Margate for the Bank holiday bike run yesterday - great atmosphere. Full of ageing Mods and Rockers as well as younger bikers - there are definitely still sub-cultures among the bikers, but no aggro - a good natured day.