The Original Wild Ones

by Bill Hayes

The seminal event in "outlaw biker" culture was a 1947 weekend in Hollister, California. Motorcyclists, including members of the Boozefighters club, engaged in street racing and other raucous activities. A sensationalized report of the event ran in LIFE magazine, along with frightening (albeit posed) photos of the outlaws. Was the event (later portrayed in Marlon Brando's The Wild One) as wild as reported? Or, in truth, was it even wilder? The answer is found in this book filled with first-person accounts from past and present members of the Boozefighters and others on the scene. This is gripping narrative of a now-legendary event. It's a true story that is more interesting than the caricatured outlaw legend that has grown up around the name Hollister.

Genres: Biography

288 pages, Hardcover

First published August 8, 2005

About the author

Since the 1960s, Bill Hayes has turned his three prime passions--music, martial arts, and motorcycles--into a literary career.

The music part came first, as he wrote record reviews in sleazy underground '60s newspapers, but things got a lot less cheesy as slicker review venues and a long-running column in Real Blues magazine followed. He also had many martial arts features in the world-renowned Black Belt magazine.

But it's Hayes' love for motorcycles-- specifically the always-compelling biker culture-- that launched his writing success.

Reviews

[Tessa Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Until recently all I knew of the MC world was hearsay or from TV, so being offered the chance to read this book and learn about the originating Club was quite intriguing. I will admit that it is very exhilarating to ride in a pack, in addition to the therapy the wind offers. The unity within the pack is like nothing you'll experience anywhere else as these people know what being true friends and having each other's back is really all about, and even after experiencing it for yourself there are few words to describe it as it is the most genuine emotion and feelings I have ever felt. Even if you aren't into motorcycles or that lifestyle, its heartwarming to learn of friendships that withstood all tests of time and that death cannot even break the bond of. I think Dave Nichols (Easyriders Magazine) summed it up best in his foreword, "May the tales of their two-wheeled exploits fill your heart with yearning for adventure on open roads that never end."

[Lex · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was one of the most romantic things I've ever read. A true love letter to the boys who served and came back men looking for thrills on two wheels and the brotherhood they had when they were very far from home. I laughed out loud and their shenanigans, I cried at times because it was so damn touching, and I felt like I was a hang-around on all their adventures. The history is rich and captivating. I'm proud to have known a few of these wild ones and had drinks at Johnny's in Hollister (I'm from San Jose, CA).

I would have given this book 5 stars, but I guess some of the facts aren't quite right, I got lost sometimes because I don't ride or know the first thing about the mechanics of a motorcycle, and I guess there's some editing issues. I did wish this book was twice as long though, I could have just read all the Minutes. I really didn't want this ride to end. Finishing the book kinda felt like loosing my friend all over again. #IAMBK #OWOF

[Paris Strickland · Rating 1 out of 5]

The claim that Von Dutch (1929-1992) was working at the Crocker factory is BOGUS, he was 11 in 1940 when the last Crocker V twin was built. Jack Lilly had nothing to do with Al Crocker.
Jack refers to someone called "Alfred Crocker" 3 times. clearly he never knew Albert Crocker.

The Jack lilly story was fabricated by the guys who are clearly named in the acknowledgement page, who built the Replica bike #39-61-103, a fake bike with a bogus story to give it fake history, but that helped sell it for $275k in the 2008 auction. Ernie Skelton manufactured it in the 1970s, whoopsie.
The bike was brought to the BFMC reunion and Jack signed the seat.

Always check the facts FIRST, and the DMV vehicle code sections
note : no bikes were made in 1941 and 1942**

[Roy Clough · Rating 4 out of 5]

The movie the Wild Ones was fiction. This account of the Boozefighters helps straighten out the facts of that weekend party by a group of fun loving and occasionally out-of-control hard partying bikers. The book could have used additional editing but it may have lost some of its grit and openness with too much editing. The Boozefighters were and are not a 1 percenter outlaw group. Enjoyable read.

[Jerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting collection of stories and history of one of the best and original MCs. I salute the men that paved the way. This should be a must read for a prospect of any club (and highly recommended for any MC member)

[Monilarac · Rating 4 out of 5]

An entertaining and interesting read!

[Bfmc Spook · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is so much good information in the book but it really needs a better editor, it' is sloppily put together and has very little flow from one story to the next.

[Travis · Rating 5 out of 5]

OWOF! Great history

[Michael L. Croussore · Rating 5 out of 5]

For my son!

I read this book as a request from my son who has become a member of the Boozefighters. Now I understand his desire and pride in belonging to this brotherhood!